SB 874-Relating to Nutrient Pollution from Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems
On Tuesday, March 14th, SB 874, relating to Nutrient Pollution from Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems, by Senator Dana Young (R-Tampa) was heard by Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation then passed by a vote of 7 yeas to 0 nays. AIF stood in support of this bill.

This bill authorizes the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to administer the onsite sewage remediation program. This includes installing high efficiency systems as well as conversion from septic to sewer. The bill also authorizes a minimum 50% cost share and allows FDEP to cost shar large scale storm water projects as well as much removal projects in the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie River and Caloosahatchee River watersheds. This bill dedicates a minimum of $20M per year to this effort.

SB 847 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Environment and Natural Resources to be heard.

AIF SUPPORTS this legislation as it establishes a cost share program to focus specifically on local basin nutrient loss within the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie, and Caloosahatchee watersheds.