EPA proposes water-quality standards for Florida

EPA has proposed numeric nutrient water quality standards for lakes and flowing waters, including canals within Florida. The federal agency has proposed regulations to establish a framework for the state to develop “restoration standards” for impaired waters.The determination states that numeric nutrient water quality standards for lakes and flowing waters and for estuaries and coastal waters are necessary for Florida to meet the requirements of Clean Water Act section 303(c).
The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 26. The agency held public hearings in Florida in February and is planning to hold three additional public hearings in April to receive more input from Floridians on the proposed standards. EPA has extended the public comment period for the proposed rule to April 28, 2010.
A 2008 Florida Department of Environmental Protection report assessing water quality for Florida revealed that approximately 1,000 miles of rivers and streams, 350,000 acres of lakes and 900 square miles of estuaries are not meeting the state's water quality standards because of excess nutrients. These represent approximately 16 percent of Florida’s assessed river and stream miles, 36 percent of assessed lake acres and 25 percent of assessed estuary square miles. The actual number of miles and acres of waters impaired for nutrients is likely higher, as there are waters that have not yet been assessed.