E.P.A. Suggests Requirements to Protect Florida’s Waters: Action would decrease amount of phosphorus and nitrogen pollution

WASHINGTON - The E.P.A. (EPA) is proposing water quality requirements
to protect people's health, aquatic life and the long term recreational uses of Florida's waters, which are a critical part of the state's economy. In 2009, E.P.A. entered into a consent decree with the Florida Wildlife Federation to propose limits to this pollution. The suggested action, released for public review and developed in collaboration with the state, would set a series of numeric limits on the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen, also known as "nutrients," that would be allowed in Florida's lakes, rivers, streams, springs and canals.

Nutrient pollution can damage drinking water sources; increase exposure to harmful algal blooms, which are made of toxic microbes that can cause damage to the nervous system or even death; and form byproducts in drinking water from disinfection chemicals, some of which have been linked with serious human illnesses like bladder cancer. Phosphorus and nitrogen pollution come from stormwater runoff, municipal wastewater treatment, fertilization of crops and livestock manure. Nitrogen also forms from the burning of fossil fuels, like gasoline.

"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 requirements that protect people's health and preserve waterbodies used for drinking, swimming, fishing and tourism," said Peter S. Silva, assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Water. "New water quality standards, developed in collaboration with the state, will help protect and restore inland waters that are a critical part of Florida's history, culture and economic prosperity."

Nutrient problems can happen locally or much further downstream, leading to degraded lakes, reservoirs, and estuaries, and to hypoxic "dead" zones where aquatic life can no longer survive. High amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus in surface water result in harmful algal blooms, dead fish, reduced mating grounds and nursery habitats for fish.

A 2008 Florida Department of Environmental Protection report assessing water quality for Florida revealed that approximately 1,000 miles of rivers and streams, 350,000 acres of lakes and 900 square miles of estuaries are not meeting the state's water quality requirements because of excess nutrients. These represent approximately 16 percent of Florida's assessed river and stream miles, 36 percent of assessed lake acres and 25 percent of assessed estuary square miles. The actual number of miles and acres of waters impaired for nutrients is likely higher, as there are waters that have not yet been assessed.

The suggested action announced today also introduces and looks for review on a new regulatory process for setting requirements in a manner that drives water quality enhancements in already impaired waters. The suggested new regulatory provision, called restoration standards, would be specific to nutrients in the state of Florida.

In August 2009, E.P.A. entered into a consent decree with Florida Wildlife Federation, committing to propose numeric nutrient requirements for lakes and flowing waters in Florida by January 2010, and for Florida's estuarine and coastal waters by January 2011. These dates are consistent with those outlined in EPA's January 14, 2009 determination under the Clean Water Act that numeric nutrient requirements are needed in Florida. E.P.A. also agreed to establish final requirements by October 2010 for lakes and flowing waters and by October 2011 for estuarine and coastal waters.

E.P.A. will accept public comments on the suggested requirements for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register. E.P.A. will also hold 3 public hearings on the suggested rule in Florida to obtain input and comments on the direction of EPA's rulemaking. These hearings are scheduled for February 16, 17 and 18, 2010 in Tallahassee, Orlando, and West Palm Beach, respectively.

More on the suggested rule and public hearings:
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/florida/

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