In D.C., Florida Official Lashes EPA on Water Rules and Science

A Florida official told a U.S. House committee on Friday that the Environmental Protection Agency is disregarding science and good government in attempting to impose new water-quality rules on the state.

Rich Budell, director of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agriculture Water Policy, told the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment that the EPA's rule-making process for costly new numeric nutrient criteria "allowed for little input, discussion and dialogue from key stakeholders."

Florida believes strongly that any nutrient reduction strategy should focus on measurable environmental and biological improvement, while optimizing cost and efficiency, said Budell.

Saying the state "is best positioned to assess the health of its waters and establish associated water quality criteria for their protection and restoration," Budell pointed to a Best Management Practices program that he characterized as "firmly rooted in state law, backed by sound science and critical to Floridas overall water resource management programs."

In response to concerns with EPAs numeric nutrient criteria policy, Floridas Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, in partnership with Attorney General Pam Bondi, filed a complaint in federal court challenging the rule. More than 30 other public and private entities have filed similar complaints against EPA and its Florida numeric nutrient criteria.