EPA's Florida Water Rules will Destroy Jobs, Cost Billions, State Study Finds

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed restrictions on the application of phosphorous and nitrogen in the state of Florida could destroy more than 14,000 Florida jobs, cost up to $3 billion dollars to implement, and cost approximately $1 billion per year in recurring annual costs, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reports.

EPA claims strict new phosphorous and nitrogen rules will have little if any negative economic impact on Florida agriculture and the state economy. However, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services studied the issue in cooperation with University of Florida economists and discovered EPA’s claims are unfounded.

Florida agricultural groups are calling on EPA to abandon their proposed regulations.

"There is no way Florida agriculture, including the $9 billion citrus industry, can survive if the EPA actually follows through with their proposal. Of course we all want clean water, it is essential to our livelihood in agriculture, but we need to set reasonable goals," said Michael Sparks, executive vice president/CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual of Lakeland.

Moreover, agricultural groups are protesting flaws in the underlying science used to justify the proposed restrictions.

"Any new regulations must be based on sound science that is peer reviewed. This is lacking with where the EPA is thus far,” said Charles Shinn, assistant director of government and community affairs for the Florida Farm Bureau Federation.

Congressman Tom Rooney (R-Tequesta) is taking up the cause of Florida farmers in Washington, D.C.

"This report confirms what we have all feared. The economic ramifications of this proposed rule would be devastating to our state. … Now is not the time to punish Florida's small businesses, workers and farmers with increased costs while they struggle to survive,” said Rooney.

EPA is accepting public comments on the proposed rule until the end of this month.