EPA Sets Forth New Water Nutrient Standards

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the work to begin implementing their new nutrient standards for Florida's freshwater lakes, streams, rivers and estuaries begins today.

On Friday, newly elected officials including Gov.-elect Rick Scott, Attorney General-elect Pam Bondi and Commissioner of Agriculture-elect Adam Putnam sent a letter to EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson asking for an extension of the Nov. 15 deadline, arguing an estimated cost of complying with the new standards would be in the billions. They expressed concerns that cost would be too high and stifle Florida's economic recovery.

While today's deadline was not extended, state leaders will effectively get what they asked for -- time to review.

The EPA indicated the new standards will not be implemented for 15 months so the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and other stakeholders may carefully review new standards and determine the best ways to implement them.

"Prior to now, the only thing that has been out there is a lot of speculation and guesswork," said EPA regional administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming. "Now that we have a final rule, we'll all be able to coalesce around the best decisions possible to protect Florida's water quality as well as protect its economy and industry."

This is the first time the EPA has set standards for a state. The standards are only being mandated on Florida.

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