PALATKA, Fla., Aug. 6, 2009 - The National Research Council (NRC) has completed its review of the first phase of the study of potential environmental effects of St. Johns River withdrawals, and recommendations have been incorporated into the study's second phase.

The St. Johns River Water Management District launched the three-year St. Johns River Water Supply Impact Study in the fall of 2007 to further existing science on potential environmental effects of proposed river water withdrawals on the biological and water resources of the St. Johns River.

In order to ensure that the study meets the highest scientific standards, the District contracted with the NRC to conduct peer review at intermediate points during the study. The NRC provides an independent review of the engineering and scientific analysis conducted by the District's project team, which includes dozens of District scientists and engineers and outside experts of national scientific stature.

The NRC report, which reviews work conducted from December 2007 through September 2008, offers numerous specific recommendations on issues and priorities related to the study. During the second phase, which began in October 2008, District scientists have been able, through discussions with NRC, to incorporate many of the recommendations that came out of NRC's Phase I evaluation.

"In order to have the highest quality peer review of the District's investigation, we asked the NRC to independently analyze our work in each of the disciplines under study," said Dr. Ed Lowe, lead District scientist and director of the Division of Environmental Sciences. "We have been fortunate to work with the NRC committee for the past eight months, and this review of the Phase I work includes much of the discussion from our meetings with the committee. Their critique is leading to significant improvements in the second phase of work, which is currently under way."

NRC recommendations and comments focus on all aspects of the study's first phase and identify areas where additional emphasis can occur during the second phase. As an example, in the surface water hydrology section, the report states, "Overall, the District is progressing along the correct track with respect to the surface water studies, but critical details either have not been considered or have not been sufficiently documented."

NRC's 84-page report can be accessed through the District's Web site at floridaswater.com/surfacewaterwithdrawals/impacts.html .