Citizen Action Needed in Response to NNC
A Message From Commissioner Fred Brummer:
The EPA has proposed a new rule regarding Numeric Nutrient Criteria
(NNC) for Florida’s waters. You can read the rule and supporting
documentation at
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/florida/.
The EPA is holding a public meeting for the new rule on Wednesday,
February 17 from 1:00pm to 10:00pm at the Crowne Plaza Orlando
Universal. In order to attend and make comments at this meeting you
are encouraged to register at the link above.
The DEP is also holding a public meeting on the issue 8:30am-12:30pm
Tuesday, February 23rd at the Wyndham Orlando Resort.
We are very concerned about these new water quality regulations.
The economic impacts from the proposed regulations will be
devastating and far outweigh any environmental benefits. EPA
is rushing into rulemaking that is not scientifically based and will
result in higher operating and cleanup costs that may not be
effective in producing healthier, ecologically sound surface waters.
You may submit your comments to the EPA online
here
(click Submit A Comment next to the rule), to the DEP by
emailing
eric.shaw@dep.state.fl.us
and to Governor Crist by emailing
charlie.crist@myflorida.com.
When you send them, please copy
(fred.brummer@ocfl.net
and
sarah.fowler@ocfl.net)
in order that we can submit a statement that includes the number of
comments you have sent.
Commissioner Brummer has prepared a draft statement (below) you may
wish to send to the EPA, the DEP and Governor Charlie Crist. Of
course please change or write something different to most accurately
reflect your opinion on the subject.
DRAFT LETTER:
To:
I am deeply concerned about new stringent water quality regulations
being proposed by the EPA for Florida’s surface waters. While
water quality degradation of Florida’s surface waters from nutrient
over enrichment remains a significant challenge, the economic
impacts from the proposed regulations would be devastating and far
outweigh any environmental benefits.
The EPA is rushing into rulemaking that will create regulations that
are not scientifically based and therefore result in higher
operating and cleanup costs that may not be effective in producing
healthier, ecologically sound surface waters.
I support a sensible solution that allows the DEP to continue
developing, thorough a transparent public process, science-based
standards that consider the natural variability and unique qualities
of Florida’s waters.
Sincerely,