FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 25, 2004
CONTACT: Deena Wells, (850) 245-2112

Florida Adopts Everglades Water Quality Standard

--Stringent standard to restore River of Grass--

TALLAHASSEE – The State of Florida today officially adopted a rule to limit phosphorus levels in America’s Everglades. Filed today with the Department of State, the rule to improve water quality and restore the natural system in the famed River of Grass will become effective in twenty days.

“This first numeric phosphorus water quality standard for the Everglades is the result of decades of biological research,” said Governor Jeb Bush. “The stringent, science-based standard combined with the comprehensive cleanup plan already underway will restore water quality throughout the famed River of Grass.”

The rule proposed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) three years ago establishes a phosphorus standard of 10 parts per billion for the entire freshwater area of the Everglades Protection Area. As part of its intensive schedule to improve water quality in America’s Everglades, the State is operating more than 41,000 acres of constructed wetlands that use plants to naturally remove nutrients from water flowing into the marsh. Together with improved farming practices, man-made wetlands prevented nearly 1,400 tons of phosphorus from entering the Everglades over the last ten years.

“Florida is ahead of schedule in removing phosphorus from water entering the Everglades,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “This is another step toward improving water quality, achieving further phosphorus reductions and restoring the Everglades to its natural condition.”

The rule requires the use of best available technologies to ultimately achieve the water quality standard. More than half a billion dollars will be invested over the next decade to implement an enforceable, long-term plan to ensure continued water quality improvements and protection of America’s Everglades.

In July 2003, the Environmental Regulation Commission approved the rule proposed by the Department. Just a week ago, Judge David Maloney formally upheld the Department’s rule. The 1994 Everglades Forever Act requires that the South Florida Water Management District comply with the standard by December 31, 2006.

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