June 7, 2012

Statement By:
Tom Feeney, President and CEO, Associated Industries of Florida
Regarding Administrative Law Judge Ruling on Numeric Nutrient Criteria

“Associated Industries of Florida (AIF) is pleased with today’s ruling by Administrative Law Judge Bram D.E. Canter to uphold the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) numeric nutrient criteria water standard rules. By doing so, our state is sending a clear message to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that the new numeric nutrient criteria rules are ready for implementation.

The Florida Legislature and now Judge Canter have confirmed that DEP has set the right course for setting our water quality standards.  This is a state issue and should continue to be regulated by the state based on sound science.”

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After seeing the potential impact of the EPA proposed numeric nutrient criteria AIF created a Numeric Nutrient Criteria Task Force in 2009. This broad based Task Force consists of not only traditional AIF members, but local governments and public utilities with the goal of creating water quality standards that are scientifically sound and economically feasible. Together, coalition members have worked tirelessly to address the numeric nutrient criteria issue at the state and federal levels.