Despite objections from environmental groups, the six-member Environmental Regulation Commission unanimously approved a set of water pollution standards drafted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection yesterday.
Last week, a coalition of environmental groups announced their decision to file a petition against the Department of Environmental Protectionâs ânumeric nutrient criteria,â a set of water pollution standards they argue are not strong enough to fully protect Floridaâs waterways.
The criteria are the result of a 2008 lawsuit that led to a federal mandate from the EPA requiring Florida to create a stricter set of water rules. Though the EPA was set to establish and implement the Florida-specific standards, the agency recently caved to demands from industry and lawmakers arguing that Florida should develop its own rules. Environmentalists say the stateâs version of the rules are poor, and only acknowledges pollution after it has degraded water bodies.
In a statement released in response to yesterdayâs unanimous decision, Earthjustice attorney David Guest says the rule âwas basically written by lobbyists for corporate pollutersâ and wonât clean up state waterways âby any stretch of the imagination.â
The rules will next be submitted to the Florida Legislature for ratification.
Guestâs full statement:
The rule they passed today was basically written by lobbyists for corporate polluters. It certainly wonât clean up our waterways â by any stretch of the imagination.
We are talking about toxic slime in the water from sewage, manure and fertilizer pollution. We need to clean it up.
What we need are clear limits on the amount of sewage, fertilizer and manure thatâs allowed in our water. The state Department of Environmental Protectionâs rule doesnât provide clear limits. In fact, this rule will let the toxic algae outbreaks that cover our water with nauseating green slime continue and get worse.
This is a public health threat that has gone on too long. This slime really affects our economy. The state Department of Health has had to post warning signs to keep swimmers out of the water. Thatâs not good. This is Florida and our entire economy depends on tourists.
People want our water cleaned up, and soon. They donât want state leaders giving out more favors for polluters.
DEP Secretary Herschel Vinyard made a statement that this is âthe right thing to do.â
That only makes sense if you think itâs right to keep letting corporate polluters use our public waters as their private sewers. We donât think thatâs right at all.
