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EPA Numeric Nutrient Criteria

A coalition of Florida businesses, associations and public entities, including Florida Citrus Mutual share critical concerns about the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposal to establish new stringent numeric nutrient water quality standards throughout the state in lakes, flowing waters and springs according to an arbitrary timeframe established in response to a lawsuit as opposed to accepted scientific methodology.

The coaltion fully supports efforts to protect Florida’s water quality, waterways and biologic resources. In fact, we respect the state’s Total Maximum Daily Loads program (TMDLs), and we recognize the aggressive water quality standards that Florida has established and the progressive programs it has put in place to achieve them. We also support the adoption of numeric nutrient standards provided they are science based and developed
over an appropriate timeframe which allows for consideration of the widely varying natural background conditions which exist within Florida’s numerous rivers, streams, lakes, springs, and waterways. However, the lawsuit-driven proposed numeric nutrient criteria coming from EPA are 1) technically and scientifically unsupported; 2) arguably economically unattainable, creating major hardships for every sector of Florida’s
economy and local governments; and 3) not reasonably related to the health of flora and fauna (i.e. freshwater and marine-based plant and animal life) of Florida’s waters.

This section of www.flcitrusmutual.com will provide background and updates on the EPA Numeric Nutrient Criteria. If you have any questions on this issue, please contact Laurie Hurner at 863.381.4135 or laurieh@flcitrusmutual.com