Water-Related News

DEP moving on adopting water quality rules implementation document

By Bruce Ritchie

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is preparing to possibly adopt a rule that would clarify how new water quality standards would be implemented.

Adoption could help resolve one legal challenge to Florida's water quality standards. But there remain other legal challenges filed by environmental groups.

Those groups and DEP have been at odds for the past three years over proposed state and federal rules.

The environmental groups say tougher federal rules are needed to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus that are causing waterways to become choked with algae. DEP says its proposed rules provide more flexibility and cost savings while protecting waterways.

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