State water quality stand unacceptable

I greatly appreciate your strong stand in the July 29 Opinion against Florida state regulators allowing more cancer-causing toxins to be dumped into its waterways by increasing the acceptable levels of more than two dozen carcinogens in these sources of our drinking water, fishing grounds, and water sports.

I am appalled that this has happened, but not surprised knowing the mindset of some of those in Tallahassee who think that we should do away with the EPA and its so-called “not business friendly” environmental requirements. Will somebody please tell them that this is Florida and not Rio and that, when environmentalists talk about being green, it is not about toxic green algae blooms along Florida’s waterways?

Fortunately, those who really care about the health of Floridians and their environment should have the EPA on their side. As you correctly stated, they will have the last say because they must sign off on the new state rules as required under the Clean Water Act.

Since under this act states can only make federal water quality standards more but not less stringent, the new Florida water quality standards should be dead on arrival. Furthermore, if Florida refuses to abide by the more stringent federal standards, the EPA could take back Florida’s delegated authority to manage the Clean Water Act in Florida.

With this in mind, the question for the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission with its dubious Monte Carol proposal is “do you feel lucky?” Sadly, whether they do or not, it is Floridians who will ultimately pay the price with either their health from being exposed to contaminated water or wasted taxpayer money on a frivolous court challenge.

Thank you for taking a stand for Floridians’ health and environment by calling for rejecting the carcinogen-friendly rules and keeping our state from becoming “Paradise Lost.”

This story was originally published August 5, 2016 at 11:54 AM with the headline "State water quality stand unacceptable."