EPA EXTENDS COMMENT PERIOD FOR PROPOSED LAKE OKEECHOBEE TMDLs

On September 29, 2006, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency published proposed Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for 30 watersheds that are tributary to Lake Okeechobee, and provided a 60-day comment period. Subsequently, agencies and organizations with concerns about the proposed load limits found the time frame to be insufficient considering the vast amount of data and complex methodologies to be analyzed. FFVA, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the South Florida Water Management District, growers, and other agricultural organizations participated in a letter writing campaign to encourage EPA to extend the comment period. EPA announced Tuesday (November 21) that the comment period had been extended for an additional six months to May 31, 2007.

While additional time has been granted, this issue is far from being resolved. Considering the extent of land encompassed in the EPA proposal and the severe economic impact that could result from the proposed TMDLs, it is incumbent on agricultural stakeholders, grower organizations and governmental agencies to conduct a thorough review of proposed load limits and the methodologies used in their calculation. It is imperative that TMDLs be scientifically based and achievable.

FFVA will continue to participate with other stakeholder organizations and the affected agencies to achieve that goal.

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