Action Alerts
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Current Alerts
To submit an action alert, please send an e-mail to Leah Ellington.
10/14/11: STOP PRIVATIZING PROFITS AND SOCIALIZING POLLUTION
Please contact Eric Shaw at the Florida DEP. They need to know that thousands of Floridians want the toxic algal blooms, fish kills and sick waters to end. After two years of following the federal and state developments for numeric nutrient criteria (NNC), we believe that the most simple and most helpful change that could be made to these rules would be to require that the EPA/DEP nutrient criteria for nitrogen and phosphorus should be apply at the discharge point for every non-MS4 NPDES permit. In simple language, that means that it would not apply at the end of municipal stormwater pipes. It would however be applied at the end of pipes from big polluting industrial facilities (paper mills, phosphate facilities, power plants, sewage plants, etc.).Dear Mr. Shaw:
In your draft at 62-302.530 it reads, “ . . . Numeric interpretations of the narrative nutrient criterion in paragraph 62-302.530 (47)(b), F.A.C. shall be expressed as spatial averages and applied over a spatial area consistent with their derivation. . .”
We suggest that this additional language be added to the paragraph above:
“. . . except where non-MS4 point source discharges with NPDES permits enter a water body. These NPDES permitted discharges will be required to meet advanced wastewater treatment (AWT) standards for nutrients (3 mg/l for nitrogen and 1 mg/l for phosphorus) or the numeric limits for approved nutrient TMDLs for that water body, whichever is lower and more protective of the water quality at the end of the discharge pipe or where the discharge enters waters of the state. In cases where an NPDES permit contains nutrient limits that are more protective than AWT standards, then the more protective limits shall apply.”
If this additional requirement is not added then you are granting an automatic nutrient mixing zone to every NPDES permit which discharges into waters of the state, and will thereby encompass the entire span of the water body (as delineated by the Department on a case by case basis). This violates Florida’s mixing zone rule Chapter 62-4.244, F.A.C. and the Clean Water Act.
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10/06/10: Say NO to Buckeye's pollution pipe to the Gulf
DEP has notified us that the SSACs (loopholes) for the Buckeye pulp mill in Perry Florida have been submitted to the US EPA for approval. We have previously provided EPA with our comments that were submitted to the state and will follow up to see what EPA is thinking about changing water quality standards in the Gulf of Mexico at the mouth of the Fenholloway River in order to accommodate Buckeye’s pollution pipe. Please contact EPA and tell them that you oppose the approval of Buckeye’s SSACs. Remember that Buckeye’s discharge, on a daily basis, is equivalent to 17 to 25 times what was coming from the BP oil well every day. It contains: heavy metals, dioxin, thousands of pounds of solids, oil and grease, dozens of toxic chemicals (many carcinogenic), oxygen-robbing substances, nutrients that cause toxic algal blooms, and much more. The Gulf does not need this 50 to 60 million gallon per day industrial waste discharge. It will dump directly into the Big Bend Seagrasses (except they are all gone from Buckeye’s pollution that is currently being dumped 26 miles up the river) and will contaminate even more of the Gulf than is currently being affected. A key point to make is that Buckeye has other economically and technically feasible alternatives to building a pipeline to the Gulf. EPA has reviewed Buckeye’s options and knows what they are. Dilution is not the solution to pollution.
Please write to:
James D. Giattina
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Region 4 (Atlanta, GA)
Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303-8960
giattina.jim@epa.gov
404-562-9470
Dear Mr. Giattina - The Gulf of Mexico has been under assault for a long time, but this year was the worst ever with the BP oil disaster. Now Florida DEP wants to allow a new insult to our Gulf in the form of a 60 million gallon per day pollution pipeline from the Buckeye pulp mill in Perry, Florida.
I am opposed to the loopholes (SSACs) that the Florida DEP has sent to the US EPA for approval. Buckeye's waste that will come through this pipeline is chronically toxic and contains high levels of dioxin, heavy metals and many other pollutants that are already killing grassbeds and causing fish to change genders. Many scientists oppose these loopholes needed to permit this discharge and you have their comments on your desk.
Please deny Florida DEP and Buckeye the loopholes/SSACs that they are requesting. We want to protect the Gulf of Mexico from the pollution that pours into it on a daily basis. The Buckeye pulp mill is a good place to start. Buckeye has technically available and economically feasible alternatives to a pipeline, that EPA has investigated and recommended for the past decade. Hold firm to your agency's findings and make Buckeye update their technology.
Just say no to Buckeye's pollution.
Thank you!!!
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06/02/08: NO MONEY FOR PANAMA CITY AIRPORT
PLEASE PROTECT YOUR WALLETS FROM ST JOE'S CORPORATE WELFARE GRAB!!!
Please send the email below to Gov. Crist asking him to follow the advice of TaxWatch by vetoing the budget turkeys - especially all money for the Panama City Airport.
Dear Governor Crist:
You have undoubtedly read the annual list of Florida TaxWatch budget “Turkeys.” Despite it being a very tight budget year, and despite painful cuts made in education and public services, 133 projects worth $110.5 million were slipped into the budget, circumventing the normal process. This was all done without full and open deliberations by the House and Senate.
Among the expenditures listed by the TaxWatch group are $4.5 million for the new Panama City-Bay County airport and $7.5 million for a roadway to this airport. You are probably aware that the citizens of Bay County voted against this $331 million airport in a nonbinding referendum in 2004. They knew it’s not needed and is a waste of public funds. They’ve seen the current, nearly empty airport many times. The existing airport is underutilized, and traffic has now gone down to only 15 flights a day.
The airport is not only a waste of money—it will also be very destructive. The site chosen will cause the filling of 2,000 acres of wetlands and important feeder creeks to West Bay. The much-vaunted “preservation area” will likely never happen, since 25,000 acres of it is contingent upon state purchase out of a nearly-depleted Florida Forever fund. Who will have to pay to restore West Bay? The taxpayers.
Developers, politicians, and local economy boosters have pushed this airport under the misconception that a bigger airport will automatically bring better air service, and with it, economic growth. But airlines do not suddenly appear just because there is a new airport, especially in the current air industry climate. They come because a market is there that will deliver sizable profits. There is no such market in Bay County, nor is one projected for the foreseeable future. The growth and traffic that is projected for this area can easily be accommodated by the current airport, which was improved in recent years.
This wasteful airport project has been denounced not only by citizens and their organizations, but also by the editorial departments of many major Florida newspapers, including the Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Times, Pensacola News Journal, Tallahassee Democrat and Palm Beach Post, who see it for what it is—Florida’s “Bridge to Nowhere” boondoggle.
You have until June 14 to sign the budget bill. We are asking you to act in the best interests of Florida’s taxpayers, and the other, very real needs for these transportation funds, by striking these two items from the budget. Please put an end to the current and future drainage of precious state funds on this wasteful project. There are no items on the Florida TaxWatch “Turkey” list more deserving of veto than the two related to the Panama City-Bay County airport.
Thank you for your consideration.
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04/27/07: Get ROAD RAGE - Quickly please
On April 19th, Clean Water Network of Florida submitted a Petition for an Administrative Hearing to the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority at their monthly meeting. Previously, Clean Water Network had requested information from the Authority regarding opportunities for the public to challenge their plans for new roads across the Panhandle. The Authority never answered our question in writing, but at the March meeting of the Authority, their attorney told the Authority board that the state agency is exempt from Chapter 120 requirements (that is the place in the Florida Statutes that requires state agencies to give the public an opportunity to challenge final agency actions).
The Authority says that their Master Plan Phase II can change over time. That's fine and dandy. But they need to let the public/taxpayers know when they will have an opportunity to raise a legal objection to this road building plan that will do nothing to fix traffic and safety problems on Hwy. 98. The proposed roads will go right through environmentally sensitive areas and state conservation areas and encourage new development in these areas. It is largely designed to subsidize St. Joe's lands, but also caters to NWFTCA board member Jay Odum, who has one of the largest new developments in the Panhandle called Hammock Bay (Walton County). Also it puts a new 4-land highway to former Speaker of the House (right before he and his wife went to federal prison) Bo Johnson's proposed new wetland development in Santa Rosa County.
Governor, the Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority has adopted a Master Plan for new roads across eight/nine counties in the Panhandle. Most people object to the corridors that were chosen. In spite of all the public opposition, the Authority approved their proposed corridors with no discussion about the public comments.
Please reign in this Authority. The Clean Water Network of Florida has requested an Administrative Hearing on the Master Plan. Please tell the Authority that they have to give CWN of FL (which represents thousands of citizens) a hearing. The Northwest Florida Transportation Corridor Authority is meeting on May 2nd to decide on the hearing. Thank you for your help Governor Crist. We are counting on you.
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03/07/07: Fishable or Boatable?
URGENT!
Please contact Governor Charlie Crist and DEP Secretary Mike Sole with this message: (see government contacts for their contact information).
Our springs, lakes, rivers and estuaries are overloaded with pollution. Florida DEP is not helping this problem with its efforts to weaken our approved water quality standards. Stop DEP's rules that weaken our water protections. These rules include the following:
1. Impaired Waters Rule - needs to be abolished and removed from Florida's water quality standards (EPA has not approved this change)
2. SSAC rule - Chapter 62-302.800 - This rule was changed in January 2006 to allow alternative criteria to be used almost anywhere in the state. DEP has already applied it to dissolved oxygen in the lower St. Johns River (CWN of FL has sued EPA to stop this) and will likely try to use it to allow more pollution in other waters that require TMDLs (pollution limits). This rule change should be reversed.
3. Designated Uses - this major component of Florida's water quality standards is threatened right now by DEP's determination to create new categories of waters which will allow much higher levels of pollution. These uses would include waters that are:
- splashable rather than swimmable;
- boatable rather than fishable;
DEP should abandon its plans to create new categories for highly polluted waters.
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03/05/07: Buckeye pipeline permit
Contact Governor Crist and ask him to make DEP rescind the proposed permit for Buckeye's pipeline to the Gulf of Mexico. This mill has already caused a 10 square mile dead zone in the Gulf (right in the middle of the Big Bend Seagrasses Aquatic Preserve) and moving the pollution to the Gulf will only make this dead zone larger. Buckeye can upgrade its technology and avoid polluting the Fenholloway River and the Gulf of Mexico.
Dear Governor Crist - we are so excited to have you in the Governor's office. We know that you are committed to protecting Florida's environment and we need your help. The Buckeye pulp mill in Perry is trying to get a permit to build a 60 million gallon a day pipeline to the mouth of the Fenholloway River. Buckeye's very toxic discharge has already killed over 10 square miles of seagrasses in the Big Bend near the mouth of the Fenholloway River. Buckeye's pollution is not only illegal, it is completely unnecessary. Please tell DEP to go back to the drawing board and write a permit for Buckeye that will make Buckeye clean up its toxic discharge. Governor, we are counting on you!
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