Senator Charles S. "Charlie" Dean, Sr., District 3 — Press Release

Governor Signs Bill Supporting State-run Water Quality Standards

Dean, Rubio Applaud Support for DEP’s Numeric Nutrient Program

Tallahassee, Fl- Governor Rick Scott this week signed a bill supporting the state’s right to direct and establish its own set of scientific criteria for its water bodies. Sponsored in the Florida Senate by the Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee chaired by Senator Charlie Dean, R- Inverness, Senate Bill 2060 / House Bill 7051 supports proposed state water quality rules regarding numeric nutrients and would replace controversial federal rules which would be difficult and costly to meet.

“I’d like to thank Governor Scott for signing the Numeric Nutrient Standards Ratification bill today,” said Dean. “His quick action continues the momentum, so DEP can submit its rules to the EPA quickly for the review process. Florida is one step closer to replacing unreasonable federal standards with a unitary, state-run nutrient program designed to protect public health and preserve Florida ecosystems.”

Dean explained the EPA’s standards would illogically hold Florida’s drainage canals to the same water quality standards as the state’s lakes and rivers. In December, the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) unanimously approved DEP’s own, state-run nutrient control program. More scientifically defensible than the EPA’s recently finalized federal nutrient rules, the DEP rules were based on years of research and designed to protect public health and preserve well-balanced Florida ecosystems. The DEP’s rules create nutrient reduction expectations where necessary to protect Florida water bodies, while the EPA’s do so regardless of water body health. The state rules would also eliminate unnecessary procedures which do not add to water body protection and restoration.

“Florida has one of the most aggressive water quality protection programs in the nation implemented by the people who know our state best,” said U.S. Senator Marco Rubio. “It’s time the EPA stops bullying us into accepting another Washington-contrived mandate that would devastate job creation. Today’s legislative efforts in Florida and Washington simply reaffirm that states and the federal government should be partners in making sure our water is clean, and prevent Washington overreaches from harming our economy. The EPA needs to step back and realize that Florida will not simply stand by as their policies negatively impact Florida’s consumers, agriculture producers, municipalities, small businesses and other job creators.”

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