National Academy of Sciences to Review Economic Impacts of Numeric Nutrient Criteria

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One of the primary criticisms of the EPA’s numeric nutrient criteria for Florida’s lakes and inland flowing waters is the economic impacts that would result from compliance with the new standards.  There is a substantial discrepancy between the estimates of the EPA, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and industry groups concerning the cost of compliance.  As a sign that the agency is listening to the stakeholders, EPA agreed to send the issue to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) for review of the economic impacts.

The evaluation will give special attention to those assumptions that may account for discrepancies between EPA’s analysis and those of several stakeholder groups.  Specifically, the committee will review and comment on the implications of:

  1. EPA’s assumption that costs should only be determined for waters that will be “newly impaired” as a result of the numeric nutrient criteria.
  2. EPA’s decision to estimate the costs of only those sources of pollution that would directly affect a “newly impaired” water—in particular the number of wastewater treatment plants, the acreage of agricultural land, the acreage of urban areas, and the number of septic systems included in the EPA analysis.
  3. EPA’s assumptions about the levels of control that could be used by certain point and nonpoint sources, such as wastewater treatment plants, industrial point sources, agricultural activities, and septic systems.  Examples of these assumptions could include a decision to seek a regulatory exemption, whether to implement reverse osmosis technology, or to use conventional best management practices rather than more expensive water treatment options.

The NAS organized a Committee on Economic Analysis of Final Water Quality Standards for Nutrients for Lakes and Flowing Waters in Florida.  The Committee is scheduled to meet three times over a 13 month period.  The Committee’s first meeting will occur on July 25th through 27th in Orlando, Florida.  Sessions open to the public are Monday, July 25 (10:30 am to 5:00 pm) and Tuesday, July 26 (10: 45 am to 2:00 pm).  The Stakeholder’s Open Mic Session starts at 3:45 pm to 5:00 pm on Monday, July 25.  The meeting location is the Embassy Suites Orlando by the airport.  The address is 5835 T. G. Lee Boulevard, Orlando, FL  32822.  An agenda for the meeting can be found here.

Updates from these meetings will be provided as I receive them, so make sure to check back on this important issue.

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