February 9, 2010
Dear PURRE Member:
As you know, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new limits to the levels of nutrients allowed to pollute Florida’s waters. These numeric limits would reduce pollution from stormwater runoff full of fertilizer and other poisons and sewage overflows in our state.
The proposed new limits are a big step toward cleaning up our rivers, bays and estuaries. Florida must take this step, but opposition is already pressuring the EPA to weaken or eliminate its proposed pollution limits.
To help protect Florida’s waters, we’re asking PURRE members to send their comments to the EPA in support of its strong, historic action – an action the agency has never before taken in any other state. Tell the EPA that you support its proposed new pollution limits and urge them to move forward to implement them.
You can cut and paste the below text, add your own comments as you see fit, and email your message to the EPA at ow-docket@epa.gov
Thank you for taking the time to help.
Michael J. Valiquette, PURRE Chairman
To: Environmental Protection Agency
Re: Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2009-0596
Florida’s economy and its water are inseparably linked. Florida residents’ lifestyles and its water are also inseparably linked. Yet stormwater runoff full of poison from agricultural operations and fertilized landscapes is allowed to drain untreated into our water. Overflow from sewage and septic systems foul our water. Disgusting and dangerous algae outbreaks plague Florida's beaches, lakes, rivers, and estuaries more each year, killing wildlife, ruining vacations, closing swimming areas.
This is a dangerous reality for a state with an economy based on tourism and water-based recreation; the pollution is clearly damaging Florida's economy.
(Your name and address here)
