By Lynn Hatter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-979187.mp3
Orlando, Fl – An independent panel of scientists is hearing from an series of business groups Tuesday in the second of a two-day public hearing on the cost of Florida complying with federal water pollution standards. Lynn Hatter reports the state and the Federal Environmental Protection agency are at odds over how much it will cost to implement the water rules.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's rules would limit how much nitrogen and phosphorus can be in Florida waterways. Florida is the first state in the nation with the federal-regulations. The EPA estimates it would cost about 200-million dollars a year to clean up polluted waters, but state officials and business groups have estimated it to be more in the billions. Now, an independent panel of scientists with the National Academy of Sciences is examining the different estimates. Glen Diegger is the Committee's chairman. He says there are costs associated with environmental regulation.
"...but there are also benefits, so It's balancing those costs and benefits, and it's important that policy makers have information that characterizes that. So that's why we're reviewing what the EPA has done "
Back in 2008 a coalition of environmental advocates sued the state over its water quality and won. The EPA stepped in soon after, and the state has been pushing back against the federal intervention since then. David Guest is an attorney with the environmental group Earth Justice.
"What this debate is about is, are we going to comply with the limits or not? And the polluting associations are strenuously objecting to these limits because it's the camera on the red light."
The U.S. Environmental Protection agency says Florida could clean up the waterways faster and more efficiently if it wanted too. Ephraim King is with the EPA's Office of Science and Technology.
"Florida's department of Environmental Protection is completely capable on a case-by-case basis of doing a top-rate job. The question is, given the scope of the job they have, it's environmental protection that's deferred."
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection was working on drafting pollution rules but the effort stopped after heavy lobbying from business and industry groups. David Bartlett is with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He says the EPA's water rules leave a lot of questions that need to be answered.
"You may have realized that Florida is a litigious state when it comes to environmental protection. As we attempt to issue permits or any mechanism that changes standards, that can get litigated. So the question is, how will a third-party respond in that?"
Tuesday the National Academy of Sciences panel will hear from the state's business and agriculture industry groups. A coalition made up of agriculture, water utilities, and local governments is pushing for a repeal of the federal water rules.