Proposed standards for nutrient pollution in Florida waterways have delighted environmentalists and horrified businesses.
Last week the US Environmental Protection Agency released proposed water quality standards for the Sunshine State which would set limits on phosphorous and nitrogen levels in rivers, streams and canals. These are the first such standards proposed for any state and are the result of legal action by environmental groups, which led the EPA to agree to draw up these proposals.
“Florida has led the way with rigorous scientific analysis and data collection needed to address nutrient pollution. By relying on the best science, we can set standards that protect people’s health and preserve waterbodies,” says Peter Silva, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Water (press release).
According to the EPA, a Florida Department of Environmental Protection report in 2008 found 16% of the state’s river and stream miles exceeded state nutrient levels, where this had been assessed.
Environmentalists at Earthjustice are among those pleased about the move. David Guest, an attorney with the group, says the standards “aren’t as stringent as we need, but they are a major improvement”.
However many business groups are not best pleased. As much of the phosphorous and nitrogen that is now likely to be controlled comes from fertilizer and animal waste, farmers are particularly fearful.
The Don’t Tax Florida coalition of businesses called the EPA proposals “a de facto water tax from Washington”. A statement from the group also claims the standards could mean many pristine streams are ruled to be polluted.
“Florida’s watershed based process of establishing numeric nutrient criteria is far superior to EPA’s generalized and fundamentally flawed approach, which does not take into account the unique characteristics of Florida’s many thousands of rivers, streams and estuaries,” says Douglas Durbin, of ENTRIX environmental consulting – part of the coalition.
These proposals were produced by court action, it seems a fair bet there will be more lawyers involved before they make it into the rulebooks.
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