Fla. congressional delegation urges EPA to work with state on surface water regulations

Fla., EPA cooperation sought on surface water regs

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida’s congressional delegation has asked the nation’s top environmental regulator to work closely with the state when setting water pollution standards.

Florida’s two U.S. senators and 23 of its 25 representatives sent a letter Thursday to Environmental Protection Agency Administration Lisa Jackson.

A federal judge last month approved an agreement between EPA and environmental groups to set first-in-the-nation standards for Florida to limit nutrients that have been blamed for causing algae blooms.

Agriculture and business interests are opposed to that plan, arguing that it would cost them millions of dollars.

The letter urges that all concerned parties be heard before the standards are adopted.