FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 13, 2012
ERC APPROVES NUMERIC NUTRIENT CRITERIA FOR FLORIDA'S SIX MAJOR PANHANDLE ESTUARIES
~Rigorous standards now in place for more than 72 percent of the state’s estuaries~
TALLAHASSEE– The Environmental Regulation Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved numeric nutrient criteria for Florida’s six major Panhandle estuaries, further building on the already comprehensive nutrient standards set forFlorida late last year. The action means the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has set rigorous nutrient criteria for more than 3,100 of the state’s estimated 4,290 coastal miles of estuaries, or 72 percent coverage. Data collection and analysis continues for the remainder of the estuaries.
“Floridians depend on healthy water resources for their livelihoods and everyday enjoyment. We have demonstrated once again, through cutting-edge science and aggressive action, that the Department meets its responsibilities to protect those resources ahead of its own and EPA’s schedules,” said Drew Bartlett, Director of the Department's Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration. “We are gratified by the ERC’s action.”
These are the numeric nutrient standards for the Panhandle estuaries, which includes Perdido Bay, Pensacola Bay (including Escambia Bay), Choctawhatchee Bay, St. Andrew Bay, St. Joseph Bay and Apalachicola Bay. The nutrient water quality standards adopted in 2011 included a schedule for the development of estuary specific numeric nutrient criteria for the Panhandle estuaries by June 30, 2013, and the Department has developed nutrient standards for total phosphorus, total nitrogen and chlorophyll a for individual estuary segments in each of the estuaries.
The numeric nutrient standards come nearly seven months before the Department's own deadline and 10 months before The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's schedule for setting standards. And they come five months after the Department'soverall numeric nutrient standards set last year were upheld by an Administrative Law judge in their entirety and submitted to EPA for review. EPA confirmed last year thatthe Department's rules are accurate and will serve to protect and improve Florida's water quality.
Florida taxpayers have invested millions of dollars to create the nation's most comprehensive rules, which account for the diversity and complexity of Florida’s waters and the challenge that nutrient pollution represents. These rules afford local communities and private interests the tools essential to cleaning up and protectingrivers, lakes and estuaries. The Department is committed to working with affected stakeholders to finish the job.
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About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The Department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally-sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. To view the Department’s website log on to www.dep.state.fl.us.
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