Nassau County Group
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Nassau County Group |
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ACTION ITEMS
FEDS AGREE - DEP
POLLUTION LIMITS ARE FLAWED There's good news for our fisheries and the future health of the St. Johns
River! After being sued in federal court by St. Johns Riverkeeper, Inc. and
Linda Young, director of the Clean Water Network of Florida, Inc., the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reversed its approval of a state rule
that would legalize excessive amounts of pollution and allow unhealthy levels of
oxygen in the lower St. Johns River. In July, Jennifer Murphy of the Mid-Atlantic Environmental Law Center filed a
motion for summary judgment in a lawsuit against the EPA on behalf of
Riverkeeper and Linda Young. The suit alleged that EPA had approved a plan for
the St. Johns that would not resolve pollution problems that have plagued the
river for years - too many nutrients and too little oxygen. EPA responded by
asking the Court to allow EPA to reconsider its earlier approval. The Court
agreed to let EPA take a second shot at getting it right. As a result, EPA has determined that their initial approval of the pollution
reduction plan developed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
was a mistake and that Florida's plan for correcting low dissolved oxygen levels
and reducing nutrient levels in the St. Johns would not adequately protect the
health of the river. In recent months, the St. Johns River has suffered from unprecedented amounts
of toxic algae and low dissolved oxygen that has caused some fish kills and
resulted in a health alert that warned against human contact with the river. The
Clean Water Act requires the state to correct pollution problems that are
affecting our waterways, and the EPA is the agency responsible for approving the
state's clean-up plans called TMDL's (Total Maximum Daily Loads). In the case of
the lower St. Johns River, the DEP, using flawed science, developed a plan that
would actually lead to an increase in nutrient pollution, and it would allow
dissolved oxygen levels below those required for fish and other aquatic life.
EPA initially approved the state plan, but after the legal challenge lead to a
further review, the federal agency rejected the state's approach. "We are relieved that the fraudulent DEP plan to allow more nutrient
pollution and insufficient levels of oxygen in the St. Johns River has been
rejected by the EPA," said Neil Armingeon, the Riverkeeper. "We made a promise
two years ago to fight for meaningful nutrient reduction in the St. Johns River,
and thanks to this ruling, we have been able to fulfill our commitment to the
community and our river."
East
Coast Greenway Alliance:
On Sunday, October 24, a
tour of 10 bicyclists from the East Coast Greenway Alliance stopped in
Fernandina Beach overnight and for dinner. The group, founded in 1991,
builds coalitions for a national off-road bicycle trail from Maine to Key
West, Florida. The 2600 mile trail winds along the Eastern seaboard,
passing through 15 states and Washington DC. The goal is to link cities
and historical points of interest by supporting and partnering with local
greenway efforts. Many thanks to Sierrans Bob McGinness, Teen and Jeff Peterson, Melanie Adams, her mother Dene Adams, and to Patrick Palmer, of BIKESMYTH Shop on 8th Street, for opening their homes to the touring bikers, and contributing to the potluck dinner. A wonderful time was had by all! More information: http://www.greenway.org/, Florida support: http://www.floridabicycle.org/messenger/msgronl0104/winter047.htm article: http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1006/p15s01-lign.html |
Sierra
Club Action Items Make
a Difference:
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The
East Coast Greenway Alliance Tour with
hosts Dene Adams, Patrick Palmer, Melanie Adams, Eric Titcomb, Bob
McGinness, Winifred Stephenson, Jeff and Teen Peterson (Monday morning,
10-25-04)