2010 Florida House of Representatives Candidate Survey District 34

Transcription

1 2010 Florida House of Representatives Candidate Survey District 34 Steve Barnes Answers in BLUE Representative Chris Dorworth Did Not Respond John DeVries Did Not Respond Nutrient Pollution Nutrient pollution, or eutrophication, is one of the most serious water quality problems facing the St. Johns River and its tributaries. Although nitrogen and phosphorus are necessary elements for all ecosystems, the St. Johns River has exceeded its assimilative capacity for nitrogen and phosphorus, with more nutrients being discharged though pipes and runoff into the river than it can dilute. These nutrients feed uncontrolled algal blooms that deplete oxygen in the water needed by fish, reduce light that is essential to submerged aquatic vegetation (SAVs), and threaten the health of both humans and aquatic life by emitting toxins. The excess nutrients come from wastewater treatment plants, industrial discharges, failing septic tanks, stormwater runoff, and fertilizers that regularly wash into the river. The St. Johns River has experienced algal blooms every summer since 2005, and many of these blooms have been toxic. These events continue to have a significant negative impact on the local economy. In January of 2009, the Bush Administration made the determination that, under the Clean Water Act, numeric limits for nutrients were needed for Florida s waters. Past Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Secretary Mike Sole immediately and enthusiastically supported the Bush Administration s position. Without meaningful nutrient reduction, including numeric nutrient standards, the health of Florida s streams, lakes, springs and rivers, including the St. Johns River, will continue to decline. In October 2009, a Federal judge ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to do what the State of Florida had failed to do for more than 12 years, establish numeric nutrients standards for Florida s waters. St. Johns Riverkeeper, numerous environmental and civic organizations, and a large segment of the general public, support the EPA s proposed action. Many business and special interest groups oppose the proposed surface water improvement measures, and are fighting the EPA s action. 1. Do you support the EPA s proposed numeric nutrient standards that would establish limits for nitrogen and phosphorous pollution in Florida s waterways, including the St. Johns River? Steve Barnes: Yes, this is an important task that is long overdue. If not, please explain why and include any alternative solution that you would propose. 1

2 Funding In 1998, the St. Johns River was designated by the federal government as an American Heritage River, one of only 14 rivers in the United States to be recognized with this prestigious honor. Unfortunately, the designation has not led to any significant federal funding or federal programs to restore the health of the St. Johns. In 2006, Jacksonville Mayor John Peyton and numerous partners announced the River Accord ( a 10-year $700 million commitment to reduce nutrient pollution and protect the St. Johns River. JEA, a Jacksonville municipal utility, pledged to contribute $200 million toward the Accord, the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) up to $150 million, the City of Jacksonville $150 million, and the remaining $200 million was expected to come from various state and federal funding sources. Unfortunately, the Accord has failed to meet expectations, in large part due to the lack of a dedicated source of funding to ensure its success. 2. Do you support a dedicated funding source for the restoration and protection of the St. Johns River system? If yes, what are your ideas for sources? Steve Barnes: I would love to see a dedicated funding source, but would like to speak to you and other stakeholders before committing to any particular source. Certainly, we should look at industries and products that contribute to the problem when considering solutions. Threats to River s Health The health of the St. Johns River is threatened by many problems and activities, including: Sedimentation from construction-site runoff. Fecal coliform bacteria pollution from failing septic tanks, leaking sewage pipes, sanitary sewer overflows (SSO s), and animal waste. Nutrient pollution from wastewater and industrial discharges, failing septic tanks, and urban and agricultural fertilizer runoff. Loss of wetlands, springsheds, and aquifer recharge areas, and habitat for plants and wildlife. Declining flows from springs as a result of lower aquifer levels. Lack of enforcement and compliance with environmental regulations and permit conditions. Water withdrawals from the St. Johns River and its tributaries for irrigation and drinking water, resulting from our wasteful and inefficient use of water. Dredging projects that can impact habitat, alter hydrology, and disturb contaminated sediments. 3. What do you consider to be the two biggest threats to the health of the St. Johns River and its watershed and, if elected, what will you do about them? 2

3 Regulations Steve Barnes: I believe the top two challenges are nutrient levels and spring flow. I would address nutrient levels by supporting legislation to curb inputs and also work to fund projects that reduce runoff or that remove nutrients from the water column. Spring flow is perhaps an even tougher issue. We need to dramatically reduce the amount of waste in the system, ensure that future development is sustainable and work to implement meaningful conservation plans that hold utilities and local governments accountable. Part of that process includes making the water management districts more transparent and more focused on conservation. Strong, science-based regulations and the aggressive enforcement of those rules are essential to the maintenance and protection of the health of the river. Unfortunately, regulatory agencies often lack adequate resources or the political will to effectively monitor and enforce permit conditions, local ordinances, or state laws and regulations. In some cases, our regulations are not sufficient to protect our water resources, such as the nutrient Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). While environmental regulations are often cited as a hindrance to job growth and business performance, environmental protection and economic development are not mutually exclusive or at odds with each other. We believe that a clean and healthy St. Johns River will actually create a more stable and robust economy, and is essential to our quality of life. 4. Which statement best describes your perceptions of our current environmental rules and regulations? Please, explain your answers. a. Current rules and regulations are sufficient to adequately protect our water resources (i.e., rivers, streams, lakes, estuaries, groundwater, and wetlands) and meet water quality standards in Florida, including the St. Johns River. b. Current rules and regulations are not sufficient to adequately protect our water resources and need to be strengthened or improved. c. Current rules and regulations are excessive and need to be curtailed. d. Current rules and regulations are sufficient but are burdensome to businesses and need to be curtailed in order to stimulate job growth. Steve Barnes: B. Current rules and regulations are not sufficient to adequately protect our water resources and need to be strengthened or improved. That said, I do believe that early intervention/protection is much more affordable that cleanups that occur after the fact. Examples like the Everglades, the Kissimmee River and others show that to be true. In addition, I believe that protecting these resources benefits our economy as a whole by strengthening our tourism, boating and fishing industries. If your answer is c or d, which regulations or agencies would you curtail or eliminate and why? 3

4 Enforcement The purpose of state and federal environmental regulations is to protect natural resources and provide an equal playing field for businesses. When regulations are not enforced equally and fairly, it creates economic advantages for those that pollute the waters of the state and disadvantages for those complying with regulations and potentially incurring additional costs. In addition, polluters that are not held accountable are able to externalize their costs to the citizens who then bear the cost of clean-ups and potential impacts to their health and property values 5. Do you think that the enforcement of our environmental laws and regulations by state regulatory agencies is insufficient, sufficient, or excessive? Please, explain your answer and what you would do to ensure compliance with our state laws and regulations. Steve Barnes: In many cases, enforcement is not sufficient. To address this problem will require political will that currently does not exist in Tallahassee. That s part of why I am running. I believe that we can hold polluters accountable and protect our water supplies without creating undue burdens on residents and businesses. One example would be the recent raiding of the trust fund designed to handle leaking underground fuel storage tanks. By requiring that such corporations have adequate insurance, we can ensure timely cleanups and reduce the burden on taxpayers. Surface Water Withdrawal As a result of our wasteful and inefficient water use practices in Florida, we are reaching the limits of what our aquifer can sustainably provide. The St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) is requiring communities to identify Alternative Water Supply (AWS) sources. As a result, surface water withdrawal projects are being proposed that pose a high potential cost to our environment and to taxpayers. The St. Johns River, Ocklawaha River, and Black Creek (two major tributaries of the St. Johns) are primary targets for proposed water withdrawal projects. The water withdrawal projects being considered would cost billions of dollars to construct with substantial operating and maintenance costs for years to come. Also, these projects would only address our future water supply needs for a relatively short period of time, necessitating additional AWS projects in the nottoo-distant future. These projects also pose a significant risk to the health of our rivers. Water conservation is much more cost-effective, environmentally-responsible, and can potentially meet most, if not all, of our water supply needs. 6. Do you support the withdrawal of water from the St. Johns River and its tributaries, including the Ocklawaha River, to supplement anticipated drinking water and irrigation needs for future population growth? Please, explain your answer. Steve Barnes: No. I have been a long-time opponent of such surface water projects and as Vice Chair of the Seminole Soil and Water Conservation District have worked to persuade Seminole County to abandon its Yankee Lake project. The reason is simple: not only do such projects put our rivers at risk, they are also unnecessary and extremely expensive. I believe we can reduce our consumption to the point that surface withdrawals could be postponed, perhaps indefinitely. The cost of conservation is dramatically less than the cost of new 4

5 surface water plants, without the negative environmental consequences. Already in Seminole, we are seeing dramatically higher water bills due to the Yankee Lake project. Water Conservation and Supply In 2005, the Florida legislature created the Florida Water Protection and Sustainability Program (WPSP) to provide cost-share funding to the state s water management districts for construction of alternative water supply (AWS) projects. However, quantifiable water conservation programs/projects did not qualify for funding from the WPSP program. In 2010, the Florida legislature passed SB 550, making quantifiable conservation programs eligible for future AWS funding. While this was an important step forward for the advancement of water conservation efforts, funding for the WPSP program has dramatically declined since its inception. By restoring funding and prioritizing water conservation and reuse alternatives, we are optimistic that most if not all of our future water supply needs can be met without depending upon water withdrawals from our rivers and costly infrastructure projects, such as desalination plants. 7. Will you support the appropriation of funds for the WPSP? Will you support the shifting of priorities and funds from traditional AWS projects, such as surface water withdrawal and desalination, to quantifiable water conservation projects and the reuse of reclaimed water? Steve Barnes: Yes. I firmly believe that shifting such resources to conservation and re-use is more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable than other alternatives. In 2007, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the South Florida Water Management District, and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, developed the Florida Drought Action Plan. Six Work Groups produced the Being Drought Smart Report that included numerous recommendations. In September of 2008, delegates from government, industry and non-governmental sectors from around the state convened for a Water Congress to address issues related to water conservation, reuse, ground and surface water supply, desalination and water policy administration. A total of 18 consensus recommendations were identified by the delegates, with four recommended priorities voted on with majority consent. ess_delegate.pdf While many efforts such as these have been initiated over the last decade, few of the recommendations that have been developed have been implemented. 8. Do you generally support the recommendations found in the report, Being Drought Smart: Recommendations for a Drought Resistant Florida, and those developed by the 2008 Water Congress? If so, what will you do to demonstrate leadership and ensure that these and/or other water conservation measures are implemented? 5

6 Steve Barnes: I do generally support the recommendations, though I have some concerns regarding the potential of regional groups to engage in shifting water from location to location in ways that encourage sprawl rather than conservation. If elected, I will work tirelessly to ensure that Florida becomes a much better steward of our water supplies and that we adopt a long-term strategy for that purpose. Georgia-Pacific Pipeline The Georgia-Pacific (G-P) paper mill in Palatka, Florida has discharged its waste stream into Rice Creek, a tributary of the St. Johns, for more than 50 years. The mill s discharge has badly damaged the health of Rice Creek with a variety of pollutants, including the cancer-causing compound dioxin. Recent EPA sampling has shown the mill is still discharging dioxin at levels 5 times what is considered safe. Currently, G-P is also the second largest discharger of nitrogen (lbs.) to the St. Johns River. After a ten-year court-ordered process, G-P states it has spent $200 million to improve its wastewater discharge. But, the Palatka mill still cannot meet water quality standards in Rice Creek. GP now wants to pipe its waste directly into the St. Johns River. St. Johns Riverkeeper believes there are processes which G-P could install that would allow the mill to continue to operate, potentially address the dioxin problem, and keep the discharge point in Rice Creek, thereby protecting the St. Johns River. 9. Do you support the building of the Georgia-Pacific pipeline to move their effluent discharge from Rice Creek into the middle of the St. Johns River? If not, would you be willing to work with Georgia-Pacific and various stakeholders to find an alternative solution? Please explain your answer. Steve Barnes: I do not support the pipeline into the river. The problem is that the discharge doesn t meet water quality standards. Moving the pipe to the river only shifts the pollutants. I am eager to work with Georgia-Pacific and other stakeholders to address this challenge. Springs Protection Florida s springs are unique and iconic natural treasures of our state, with a greater concentration of springs in Florida than in any other region of the world. Eighty-five inventoried springs are located within the St. Johns River watershed, providing 20-30% of the flow of the St. Johns. Unfortunately, many of our springs are in serious decline due to encroaching development, agricultural and urban runoff, groundwater pollution, failing septic tanks, and the reduction in levels of our underground aquifers. As a result, many springs have experienced significant decreases in flow, water clarity, and fish biomass with striking increases in nitrate levels and algal blooms. Silver Springs is a perfect example 6

7 of the tragic situation that is taking place. Over the last 56 years, the discharge from Silver Springs has experienced a net loss of about 200 cubic feet per second roughly the equivalent flow of Volusia Blue and Wekiva Springs combined. During this time, nitrate levels have increased by 176% and total plant and algal biomass has increased by 88%. As you can see, Florida s springs are in trouble. 10. Would you support a bill, such as the previously-introduced Florida Springs Protection Act, that would establish enhanced protections and more restrictions on development activities within delineated springshed protection zones? If not, why and what would you do, if anything, to protect our imperiled springs? Steve Barnes: Yes, I would support such a bill under the condition that local homeowners who followed the law when they installed their septic units are not unfairly burdened. I will work with all stakeholders to ensure that we address the problems in a way that makes sense. My answers to this survey were necessarily short, but I am happy to discuss any of these issues at length. Please feel free to call if you have any questions. Thank you, Steve Barnes Candidate for Florida State House, District