Environmentalists and Florida State Government Officials Disagree on Relevancy of New Federal Water Quality Standards
Impending federal rules that will affect Florida lakes, rivers and streams have business groups and politicians up in arms over what they call a "water tax" that could cost Florida residents up to $50 billion. But environmentalists disagree; arguing that the new, tougher standards are the only way to combat the algae blooms that plague state waterways. The new rules, to be handed down by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in January of 2010 are the result of a legal battle between the agency and environmental advocates. The EPA agreed several years ago to set new standards for "nutrient" concentration (from agricultural runoff and sewage) in Florida waters. The state currently uses a much more vague set of standards. High nutrient concentration directly impacts algae blooms in the waterways.
Affected businesses say that the EPA is unfairly singling out Florida with the rules. They also say that the new rules are not based on good evidence, and will cost a lot of money without actually helping the environment. Florida Water Environment Association Utility Council President Jim Oskowis has estimated that the new regulation could cost the state not only $50 billion to implement, but also another $1.3 billion per year to operate.
Lawmakers argue that any new standards should be set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection rather than the EPA. Environmentalists call the cost estimates "laughable." Read more about the battle over the new standards at Looming federal water quality standards set off firestorm.
If you have a business that may be affected by the new standards, please contact Wood, Atter & Wolf, P.A. for legal counsel.
