Environmental Sustainability Council (ESC) Members,

The Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC) met last Thursday, November 3rd to discuss potential rule repeals and the numeric nutrient criteria (NNC) rule.  The ERC is a non-salaried, seven-member board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Florida Senate.  The ERC members represent agriculture, the development industry, local government, the environmental community, citizens and members of the scientific and technical community.  The Commission approves rules proposed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that relate to air pollution, water quality and waste management.

Governor Rick Scott issued Executive Order 11-01 (and subsequent Executive Orders 11-72 and 11-211) requesting that agencies conduct a rule review and identify those rules that are duplicative, unnecessarily burdensome or no longer necessary.  DEP identified over 300 whole rules sections that require repeal.  Fourteen of those rule repeals require approval by the ERC and the remainder will be subject to Secretarial approval.  Justin Wolfe, Assistant General Counsel for DEP explained the process to the ERC and said the fourteen rules would be presented at the December 8th meeting for action.  The fourteen rules relate to the Department’s Air and Solid Waste programs.  Attached is a copy of the memorandum that explains the reason for repeal.

The next ERC meeting will be held at the Tallahassee City Commission Chambers beginning at 9:00 am on Thursday, December 8th.

If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact AIF Senior Lobbyist Keyna Cory at (850) 566-9575, or via email keynacory@paconsultants.com

Briefing on Rules to be Repealed Pursuant to Executive Order 11-01