A.G. Gancarski
On Tuesday morning, one Jacksonville City Council panel issued a rebuke to the Florida Environmental Regulatory Commission fast-tracking a decision to weaken water quality standards, to where increased amounts benzene and other carcinogenic chemicals can be released in Florida waterways.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Rules committee unanimously approved Councilman Jim Love‘s resolution asking the EPA to consider Jacksonville, in a way the state of Florida didn’t, in deciding what levels of chemicals are safe for Florida waters.
St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman noted that there were challenges to the rule; one such was dismissed by a judge because it was “two minutes late.”
Because the standards were fast-tracked through the state level, the jurisdiction is now with the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
“This resolution states that the city of Jacksonville wants to have a voice in this process,” said Rinaman, who noted a lack of workshops in Jacksonville before the state passed the rule.
Councilman Danny Becton wanted to know what the point of this resolution was.
“Is there some process that we’re not part of,” Becton wondered.
Rinaman seeks to “remedy the fact that the city of Jacksonville was left out of this important conversation.”
Councilman Greg Anderson wanted to know what would happen with the resolution.
The state has already turned all public comment over to the EPA, necessitating a passed resolution being submitted directly to the EPA, said Tom Frick of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The bill was heard in a third committee on Monday, which pushed back and demanded revisions of the resolution, so it will have to be heard again by that committee and passed before it is considered by the full council.
The measure will be passed by the full council before the Duval Delegation meets on November 28.
For more background on this resolution, click here.
