What is the process for establishing interim goals and ensuring that they are achieved?
The regulations provide a process for establishing interim goals in three categories, hydrological (e.g., quantity and timing of water deliveries to the natural system), water quality (e.g., nutrient levels in the water) and ecological (e.g., habitat restoration, species recovery). RECOVER will provide recommendations for interim goals by June 30, 2003, and an initial set of goals will be established through an Interim Goals Agreement between the Corps, the Department of the Interior, and the State of Florida by December 31, 2003. The goals will consist of quantitative targets to be achieved in five-year intervals, beginning in 2005. If a goal is not achieved on schedule then the Corps and the State must document why not, develop an action plan for achieving it as soon as practicable, and implement the plan. The regulations also provide a process for reviewing the interim goals and revising them as appropriate, at least every five years. Interim goals are not included in the regulation
