'All-or-nothing' provision in state water rules causing heartburn for feds

By Bruce Ritchie

A provision in state water quality rules supported by industry and utility groups may require the Legislature to take up the rules again this year, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said this week.

Environmental groups have been battling utilities and industry groups for the past three years over rules to establish strict limits on nitrogen and phosphorus in Florida waterways.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says rules are needed to protect Florida's waterways from becoming covered with algae. Industry groups say federal rules are too expensive and they instead support the state's proposed rules that environmental groups oppose.

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