The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given Florida specific measures to restore water quality to protect the Everglades. The action complies with an amended determination set by U.S. District Judge Alan S. Gold in April ordering the agency to give Florida comprehensive instructions to improve environmental conditions by Sept. 3.
For years, the EPA has faced pressure from environmental groups to take pollution in the Everglades more seriously. Friends of the Everglades and the Miccosukee Tribe sued the agency in 2004 for not taking a more active role in protecting this unique ecosystem.
In accordance with Gold’s ruling, the EPA told the state that clean water standards for phosphorus are not being met in all areas of the Everglades. The agency called for further reductions in phosphorus pollution specifically in the area south of Lake Okeechobee.
According to the EPA, although phosphorus is a naturally-occurring nutrient, “in excess it can cause chemical and biological changes that degrade natural systems, such as wetlands, lakes, and coastal areas.” Runoff from farms north of the Everglades has been blamed as the largest source of the excess phosphorus. The agency says it will soon amend existing discharge limits to conform to Gold’s decision.
The EPA has also said another 42,000 acres of marsh treatment systems should be added to the 60,000 acres already in place. The South Florida Water Management District plans to purchase land from the U.S. Sugar Corporation to be used for the expansion.
“With this action, EPA is complying with the law and acknowledging that we must do more together to restore clean water to the Everglades. The state of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District have done much good work already and we hope to build on that by meeting both the substance and the spirit of Judge Gold’s decision with this plan, and to achieve clean water standards as soon as possible,” said Stan Meiburg, acting regional administrator for EPA’s southeastern region in a statement.
However, these actions are just the beginning in a series of steps the EPA and the state of Florida must take to meet the requirements set by Gold, who has scheduled a hearing for Oct. 7 to evaluate the progress of his amended determination.
For years, the EPA has faced pressure from environmental groups to take pollution in the Everglades more seriously. Friends of the Everglades and the Miccosukee Tribe sued the agency in 2004 for not taking a more active role in protecting this unique ecosystem.
In accordance with Gold’s ruling, the EPA told the state that clean water standards for phosphorus are not being met in all areas of the Everglades. The agency called for further reductions in phosphorus pollution specifically in the area south of Lake Okeechobee.
According to the EPA, although phosphorus is a naturally-occurring nutrient, “in excess it can cause chemical and biological changes that degrade natural systems, such as wetlands, lakes, and coastal areas.” Runoff from farms north of the Everglades has been blamed as the largest source of the excess phosphorus. The agency says it will soon amend existing discharge limits to conform to Gold’s decision.
The EPA has also said another 42,000 acres of marsh treatment systems should be added to the 60,000 acres already in place. The South Florida Water Management District plans to purchase land from the U.S. Sugar Corporation to be used for the expansion.
“With this action, EPA is complying with the law and acknowledging that we must do more together to restore clean water to the Everglades. The state of Florida and the South Florida Water Management District have done much good work already and we hope to build on that by meeting both the substance and the spirit of Judge Gold’s decision with this plan, and to achieve clean water standards as soon as possible,” said Stan Meiburg, acting regional administrator for EPA’s southeastern region in a statement.
However, these actions are just the beginning in a series of steps the EPA and the state of Florida must take to meet the requirements set by Gold, who has scheduled a hearing for Oct. 7 to evaluate the progress of his amended determination.
