Welcome to

Big agriculture, dry cleaners and wastewater treatment plants are among those who would all benefit from a state plan approved on a three to two vote today. It allows more toxic chemicals to be dumped in our surface waters. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the presence of some chemicals could triple.

Environmentalists waived signs for an hours outside the building named for Florida’s  greatest environmentalist, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas.:

As proposed, Florida would regulates 39 new chemicals for the first time

The plan also allows higher rates of the regulated substances in drinking  and surface waters, but Tom Frick from the Department of Environmental Regulation says someone who eats a lifetime of fish exposed to the higher level of chemicals would face a minuscule increased risk of cancer.

“The risk of cancer for an individual increases point 0001 percent” Frick told the ERC.

But adamant environmentalists don’t trust DEP or the Gubernatorial appointed panel making the decision. David Kern is a Legislative Candidate.

“You’re saying that benzene is going to be tripling. What I see happening her is the potential move to poison water bodies in the state of Florida” says Kern.

The chairwoman is a registered lobbyist for two of the states largest agricultural interests.

Environmentalists came into the room believing  the deck is stacked against them. That’s becauseTwo seats on this panel, one reserved for local governments and the other for environmental groups remain vacant.

Jim Parker brought his grand daughter because he believes what happens here could affect her life.

I’m 70 years old so I don’t have the decades that they spoke about dealing with this issues, but she certainly does.”

The water standards were last set in 1992. DEP has been working on the update for the last four years.

Environmentalists have 21 days to appeal any action taken by the ERC.