The Biscayne Bay Watershed Management Advisory Board convened on June 6, 2025, to discuss critical issues regarding water quality and management strategies in Miami-Dade County. A significant focus of the meeting was the need for a more nuanced water quality reporting system. Board member Mr. Dooler expressed concerns about the current stoplight approach, which categorizes water quality into broad categories of red, yellow, and green. He suggested expanding the scale to allow for more detailed assessments, such as a scale of 1 to 10 or even 1 to 100, to better track incremental changes in water quality.

In response, officials acknowledged the importance of providing more detailed data and indicated that future reports could incorporate these suggestions. They noted that as new stormwater and wastewater projects come online, there would be more data available to illustrate improvements or declines in specific areas.

The board also addressed the ongoing efforts to fill vacant positions within the advisory group. Nancy, a representative, confirmed that new members, including scientific representatives from local universities, are expected to join by the next meeting in October. This move aims to enhance the board's diversity of perspectives and expertise.

Another key topic was the draft management plan for the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve. Concerns were raised about the draft being less effective than the current plan, prompting a request for the plan's developers to present their work to the board before finalization. The board expressed a desire to provide input on the management plan, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in the decision-making process.

Additionally, Miami Beach's "Operation Clean Water" initiative was highlighted, which aims to improve water quality in the Parkview Canal area. This program includes increased stormwater system cleaning and inspections of private properties to address pollution sources. The city is collaborating with county officials to enhance inspections of outfalls and manage illicit discharges.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to prioritize future discussions on the aquatic preserve management plan and the marine debris working group, ensuring that the board remains engaged in ongoing environmental efforts. The next meeting is scheduled for October, where these topics will be further explored.