New Rules Will Increase Levels Of Some Chemicals In Florida's Water

  Florida environmental regulators passed new rules Tuesday that will increase the levels of some toxic chemicals allowed in Florida's water.

The 5-3 vote by the governor-appointed Environmental Regulation Commission raised allowable levels of more than two dozen chemicals, including known carcinogens.

The rule also lowers allowed limits on more than 40 chemicals and nearly doubles the number of chemicals regulated in the state’s drinking water.

Commissioner Craig Varn, who was appointed to board to represent the citizens, said the change represents a net positive for human health.

“And so I'm erring on the side of human health. And I think that's what this does. Is it perfect, no. I'm not going to say that, but does it err on the side of human health? That makes this decision easy. So I'm gonna vote in favor. I'm comfortable with that decision."     

More than 80 people signed up to speak during the hearing. Most were against the rule update, including one protester who took an empty seat on the dais next to commissioners before the vote. He said he was there to represent the environmental community, a post that has gone unfilled.

Meanwhile, Florida's Democratic Congressional delegation filed a letter to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, protesting the decision. Here's the letter:

July 26, 2016

The Honorable Gina McCarthy

Administrator

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator McCarthy,

We’re writing to alert you to our serious concerns with a problematic public health proposal in Florida that will soon be sent to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for approval.

Florida residents and tourists visit the state’s numerous lakes and rivers to fish, boat, and swim. Our waterways are our way of life in Florida. That’s why it is critically important that we ensure Florida’s water quality standards preserve the health and safety of all users, especially vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and people whose livelihoods rely on the water, such as commercial fishermen.

In May, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) initiated rulemaking to set new human health criteria regulations for 39 chemicals and to adjust the standards for 43 chemicals currently regulated by the state. The Florida Environmental Regulation Commission approved these standards today by a 3-2 vote.

While we support efforts to update the standards that were last approved in 1992, we are deeply concerned that the state is proposing to raise the allowable levels for dozens of chemicals, including more than half of the most dangerous cancer-causing chemicals in the proposal. In several instances, these proposed levels exceed EPA’s recommendations.

In addition, there has not been sufficient opportunity for the public to review and comment on this highly technical proposal, despite the potentially serious consequences of setting inadequate standards.

Further, we are concerned that certain perspectives may not be fully represented in the state’s proposal because two positions on the Florida Environmental Commission are currently vacant. Of note, the environmental seat and the local government seat are not filled and have been unoccupied for over a year.

We urge you to provide a more appropriate public comment period for the proposal and to carefully evaluate each proposed human health criteria to ensure the utmost protection for our population, environment, and economy.

Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.

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