Industry-sponsored forum on water issues to be held next week in Orlando

A water forum sponsored by Associated Industries of Florida and the Florida Section of the American Water Works Association will be held next Friday in Orlando. According to a press release, the event will “address Florida’s water crisis,” with discussions centering on the EPA’s proposed — and controversial — numeric nutrient criteria, a set of water pollution standards that aim to combat the state’s nutrient problem. #

Nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen lead to wide-scale algal blooms and fish kills in state waterways. Environmentalists argue that current regulations aren’t doing enough to stave off the problem. #

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam will act as the featured speaker at the June 3 lunch, and is slated to discuss his “Vision of Florida’s Water Policy.” State Rep. Trudi Williams, R-Ft. Myers, will also be in attendance — discussing the goals of the House Select Committee on Water Policy (which she chairs) and the committee’s upcoming hearings around the state. Williams has gained a reputation as one of the most vocal opponents of the EPA’s nutrient criteria, and even sponsored a bill that would have blocked state and local governments from enforcing them**. **(Williams’ committee eventually approved a substantially revised version of that measure.) #

Associated Industries of Florida, one of the event’s sponsors, has also made clear its opposition to the criteria. Associated Industries President Barney Bishop recently made headlines after slamming EPA chief Lisa Jackson and environmental groups that are supportive of the criteria. Bishop told the Florida Tribune that Jackson “thinks she talks to God and she’s the only one who knows exactly what is the right thing to do about our environment.” #

In the same interview, Bishop claimed that Florida has clean water, rendering the standards unnecessary: “Ladies and gentleman, we have clean water in Florida. … Don’t let any environmentalist tell you otherwise. It is clean, it smells good, it looks good.” #

U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, is also slated to take part in the event, and will be updating attendees on the current status of the EPA criteria and “what is next in Washington.” #