Murphy Calls on State to Reject Harmful Proposal Weakening Water Quality Standards

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) urged the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to reject a proposal that would allow increased levels of certain toxic chemicals in Florida's waters. Additionally, he called for the two vacancies on the Environmental Regulation Commission (ERC), which oversees the state's water quality standards, to be filled and to give Floridians a fair opportunity to be heard. The ERC was holding a public hearing on this misguided proposal this morning in Tallahassee.

"Our waterways are already in crisis with toxic algae blooms threatening our precious ecosystems, public health, and economy. Weakening our clean water standards to allow increased chemical levels will only exacerbate the situation," said Murphy. "Furthermore, to move forward with such a controversial proposal when there are vacancies on the ERC is a dereliction of the state's duty to make sure all stakeholders and Floridians' voices are heard. The state must reject this harmful proposal and instead, put the health and well-being of the people of Florida first by working to strengthen water quality and address the ongoing crisis in our waterways."

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