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WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the
Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are taking actions to
protect and restore both recreational uses and aquatic life in Florida waters.
These actions include EPA issuing a formal determination under the Clean Water
Act that "numeric" nutrient water quality criteria are necessary in Florida, and
Florida accelerating its efforts to adopt numeric nutrient criteria into state
regulations. Numeric nutrient criteria will significantly improve Florida's
ability to address nutrient pollution in a timely and effective manner.
"EPA recognizes Florida as a national leader in managing nutrient pollution
but more needs to be done," said Benjamin H. Grumbles, EPA's assistant
administrator for water. "Therefore, we are taking the significant step today of
requiring numeric nutrient standards for water quality. We look forward to
working closely with the State to develop improved standards that will
accelerate the protection and restoration of Florida's waters."
"The State of Florida recognizes that more needs to be done to address
nutrient pollution in our rivers, streams, lakes and estuaries, and these
actions will help our State and all of our stakeholders prevent and better
manage sources of nitrogen and phosphorus from entering our waters," said DEP
Secretary Michael W. Sole.
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus levels (nutrient pollution) in waterbodies can
cause harm to aquatic ecosystems and threaten public health. Nutrient pollution
can lead to water quality problems such as harmful algal blooms, low-oxygen
"dead zones" in water bodies and declines in wildlife and wildlife habitat.
These effects also disrupt recreational activities and pose threats to public
health.
Water quality degradation from nutrient pollution is a significant
environmental issue in Florida. Florida's 2008 Integrated Water Quality
Assessment revealed that approximately 1,000 miles of rivers and streams,
350,000 acres of lakes, and 900 square miles of estuaries are impaired by
nutrients. The actual number of miles and acres of waters impaired for nutrients
is likely higher, as many waters that have yet to be assessed may also be
impaired.
Local governments in Florida have worked to improve wastewater treatment and
stormwater management. In addition, many in the agricultural community have
implemented best management practices for nutrient control. It takes focused
attention by all stakeholders in each watershed to address this challenging
issue.
The federal determination is intended to build upon the substantial
investments that Florida has made to date in nutrient data collection, analysis,
and stakeholder involvement, and is fully consistent with the state and EPA's
commitment to a stronger nutrient control program. The new numeric nutrient
water quality standards will help Florida improve the efficiency and
effectiveness of its water quality management tools, identify waters impaired
because of nutrient pollution, establish total maximum daily loads and Basin
Management Action Plans and derive National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System permit limits.
EPA's decision letter on these actions:
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/#det
DEP's 2008 Integrated Report:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/docs/2008_Integrated_Report.pdf
DEP's Numeric Nutrient Criteria Development Plan:
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wqssp/nutrients | 
2012 State of Florida