WHAT THEY ARE SAYING...
~Leaders applaud DEP's work with EPA to set statewide numeric nutrient criteria~
Gwen Keyes Fleming, EPA Regional Administrator
“We
congratulate the State of Florida for their hard work on this very complicated
effort. We look forward
to learning of additional progress and milestones in the future. This agreement
is a testament to the collaboration between EPA and FDEP to effectively
determine how Florida can best protect and restore its vital water resources.”
Pam Bondi, Florida Attorney General
"I have always maintained that Florida—not
the federal government—should enact the rules and laws to protect our unique waterways.
After years of litigation, the Environmental Protection Agency has done the
right thing by reaching an agreement with the Department of Environmental
Protection that allows Florida's leaders, who know our waterways best, to
implement sound criteria that will safeguard our water from excess nitrogen and
phosphorus pollution."
Adam Putnam, Commissioner of Agriculture
“The agreement by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to defer to the State of Florida to
implement its own water quality standards is a compliment to the unparalleled
expertise of Florida’s water quality scientists and confirmation that Florida
knows best how to protect its own waterways. We look forward to continuing our
collaboration with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to
develop and implement comprehensive programs to manage and protect our
vital water resources for generations to come.”
John Hoblick, president of the Florida Farm
Bureau Federation
“The
historic agreement between the DEP and EPA should usher in a new era where
confrontation over water policy gives way to cooperation as we move forward to
protect our state’s water. The agreement recognizes Florida has established tough
numeric water quality standards for rivers, streams, lakes and estuaries in the
state. Now is the time to clear obstacles and move forward with the work of
protecting our state’s waters.”
Mayor Manny Maroño, president of the Florida League
of Cities
“Under this
agreement, Florida will take its rightful place as the national leader in water
quality protection. The state’s water quality program will ensure that Florida’s waters
remain among the cleanest in the nation. The resolution of this issue provides
certainty and significant cost savings to local governments, businesses, and
residents of the State of Florida.”
DEP Press Release Announcing Numeric Nutrient Criteria Agreement with EPA
NNC Agreement
Path Forward Document
Implementation Plan
Proposed Legislation
Florida Numeric Nutrient Criteria Coverage Map
Numeric Nutrient Criteria State-by-State
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