Protect Florida’s Water Quality: Let President Obama Know You Support EPA Standards

The Issue:
In 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed a much-needed set of numeric pollution standards to help improve water quality in Florida’s waterways affected by nutrient and other sources of pollution. This pollution has threatened both human and environmental health over the years. For example, red tide, most often found along the coast of Southwest Florida, kills fish; is a respiratory irritant that can send humans to the hospital; and causes seizures, paralysis, and death in manatees exposed to its toxin. Since the EPA rule was proposed, Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection has proposed its own set of rules for Florida and asked that the EPA accept the state’s rules. Unfortunately, Florida’s current environmental agencies are being influenced by pro-development and anti-environment agendas and can’t be counted upon to implement meaningful numeric nutrient criteria that will protect our waterways.

What You Can Do:
1. Please add your information below to send a message to President Obama, letting him know that you support the EPA's standards and wish to see those approved to help improve and protect Florida's water quality. Feel free to add your own additional and personal comments.

2. Spread the word! Click on the icons at the top of the page to share this message on your Facebook or Twitter pages.

Thanks for taking action!

Subject: Enforce EPA Pollution Standards for Florida

Your Letter:

I am writing today to ask that the pollution standards proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Florida be enforced as initially proposed.

With more than 1,800 miles of rivers and streams, Florida needs a greater level of protection against pollution. This pollution is a hazard not only for wildlife, but also for humans. Phosphorous and nitrogen pollution can result in algae blooms that deprive aquatic plants and animals of the sunlight and oxygen they need to survive. This not only affects individual species, but entire habitats and ecosystems. Human health and safety are also threatened by these pollutants, and Florida's economy is threatened by the reduced property values and tourism impacts caused by algae blooms, red tide outbreaks, and other consequences of nutrient pollution.

I believe that the EPA is the best agency to implement numeric nutrient criteria for Florida, and I support its proposed standards. Please help ensure that the EPA's original proposal is implemented to protect Florida's environment, human health, and economy.

Thank you for your consideration of these comments.

President Barack Obama

Phone:(202) 456-1111

Fax:(202) 456-2461