Enviro-Net - News Updates

Practical Information for
Florida Environmental Professionals

News Updates

EPA to conduct public hearings on proposed numeric nutrient criteria

Staff report
Enviro-Net
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to hold three public hearings in Florida for the public to have the chance to provide input and comments to EPA on its proposed numeric nutrient criteria for lakes and flowing waters in Florida.

EPA is proposing numeric nutrient water quality criteria to protect aquatic life in lakes and flowing waters, including canals, within Florida and proposing regulations to establish a framework for Florida to develop "restoration standards" for impaired waters.

EPA intends to sign the proposed rule addressing lakes and flowing waters on Jan. 14, 2010, per the terms of a consent decree. The proposed rule will be posted online at http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/florida/ and published in the Federal Register shortly thereafter.

EPA will conduct three public hearings in Florida for the proposed rule. The public comment period will begin on the day the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register, and will last for 60 days.

The dates and locations of the hearings are:

Feb. 16, 2010: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Capitol East, 1355 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Feb. 17, 2010: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Orlando Universal, 7800 Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32819

Feb. 18, 2010: 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Palm Beach Airport, 1301 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33405

Registration information will soon be available at http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/florida/.

If you have questions about the public hearings, contact Danielle Salvaterra at (202) 564-1631 or salvaterra.danielle@epa.gov, or Sharon Frey at 202-566-1480 or frey.sharon@epa.gov.

Other recent news stories