The details of the proposed federal regulations for clean water are an incredibly complex blend of science and regulatory language in a mish-mash of acronyms (see related editorial by Frank L. Hearne).
From my extremely simplistic view, it boils down to the efficient use of resources. The proposed federal criteria use a model from the Mississippi River to predict levels of nutrients that could damage Tampa Bay. If implemented, they could cost Bay area governments and businesses billions of dollars.
The problem is that the federal government doesn’t recognize the decades-long efforts by local groups that have already resulted in dramatically cleaner water. Other critics point to the algae bloom in Old Tampa Bay last summer and say that local efforts aren’t working — without recognizing that local partners already are addressing the problem.
The algae bloom occurred following an extremely rainy May. In August, the Tampa Bay Estuary Program convened a special session to examine causes and how best to reduce the possibility of future blooms.
Local partners already have taken action. In January, Pinellas County approved a strong residential fertilizer management ordinance that will result in an estimated reduction of 40 tons of nitrogen per year.
Additionally, elected officials serving on the TBEP Policy Board approved funding for comprehensive studies to identify appropriate actions to prevent future problems.
New federal standards might create minor improvements to water quality but at an unreasonable cost. For instance, bringing just one wastewater treatment plant in Pinellas up to new standards could cost $35 million. Multiply that by all the treatment plants ringing the Bay and add in at least several billion for stormwater and you’re talking about real money.
If that kind of investment was necessary to protect Tampa Bay, I hope most Bay area residents would support it. However, TBEP and its Nitrogen Management Consortium have proven that their scientifically sound, community-based management plans are working. The EPA should recognize that success by using those time-tested formulas to set protective values for Tampa Bay.