|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2003
CONTACT: Deena Wells (850) 245-2112
Statement by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection about the Vote by the Florida House to Amend the 1994 Everglades Forever Act
April 30, 2003
Today, the Florida House of Representatives voted by an overwhelming bipartisan majority to support amendments to the Everglades Forever Act, which provide clear environmental benefits for America's Everglades.
Over the last month, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has worked with members of the Legislature to ensure final amendments to the Everglades Forever Act strengthen Florida’s commitment to improve water quality in the Everglades. Today, the House of Representatives adopted the Senate's version of the bill and passed it by a vote of 96-18. The bill is fundamentally different from the one proposed by the House Natural Resources Committee four weeks ago.
"We are pleased with the broad, bipartisan support for a plan that reinforces Florida's pledge to improve water quality and congratulate House members for their endorsement," said DEP Secretary David B. Struhs. "By providing a plan, an enforceable schedule and the funding to complete the job, this bill reinforces Florida's commitment to Everglades restoration."
The bill:
- Maintains the statutory compliance deadline of December 31, 2006 and strikes "earliest practicable date" in the intent language to make clear that the State’s commitment to meet the 2006 deadline is unchanged.
- Makes clear the objective to achieve DEP’s proposed 10 parts per billion (ppb) water quality standard for the entire Everglades Protection Area.
- Supercedes the action taken by the South Florida Water Management District to establish a planning goal of 15 ppb.
- Fully funds the nearly half-billion dollar cost of optimizing treatment technologies on an enforceable 13 year schedule.
- Allows use of eminent domain to expand stormwater treatment areas if necessary.
- Reinforces DEP’s ability to establish enforceable technology-based permit conditions.
- Requires the acceleration of phosphorous reduction whenever and wherever it becomes technically feasible.
- Makes clear that the legislation does not change or modify any State obligations under the 1992 Consent Decree between the State of Florida and federal government.
- Coordinates Florida’s water quality improvement plan with the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan to maximize benefits, while maintaining the 50-50 cost share with the federal government.
- Makes clear no expectation of federal funding for State water quality responsibilities.
- Removes "maximum extent practicable" language from the long term permitting section to make clear that there are no limitations on the State’s commitment to meet water quality standards in the Everglades.
- Allows DEP the ability to define and require the use of the best technologies available to remove phosphorous from the Everglades.
--30-- |
Press Office
