AGENDA ITEM REPORT
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A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE CITY’S OPPOSITION TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (“FDEP”) AND ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION COMMISSION’S (“ERC”) WEAKENING OF HUMAN HEALTH PROTECTIONS THROUGH NEW HUMAN HEALTH-BASED WATER QUALITY CRITERIA FOR FLORIDA WATERS AND URGING THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY TO NOT APPROVE THE PROPOSED NEW CRITERIA.
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BACKGROUND:
Earlier this year, FDEP revised its human health-based water quality criteria to update the limits for 43 regulated chemical compounds and to adopt standards for 39 previously unregulated compounds. On September 8, 2016, the City Commission passed Resolution 2016-228 declaring the City’s opposition to such changes largely due to the fact that the changes will permit the release of toxic chemicals into Florida waters. Unfortunately, these changes were approved by the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission, and will be coming before the EPA shortly.
DISCUSSION:
The City of Coconut Creek seeks to reaffirm our opposition to the relaxation of water quality standards in Florida, urge all State and Federal Representatives of the City to carry forward our objection and message to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and urge the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to not approve the proposed new criteria.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this Resolution.
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A