Playing Politics With Florida Water Pollution
(Posted July 15, 2011 05:55 am)
By Les Coleman
TALLAHASSEE, FL - A critic of Florida's 7th District congressman is charging that he is playing a pollution shell game with big oil and the health of the state's waterways.
The House of Representatives passed a bill this week
which would block the Environmental Protection Agency
from tightening limits on water pollution without a
state's consent. Darden Rice, Florida director of the
Gulf Restoration Network, claims this legislation
threatens Florida's shorelines, rivers and streams.
The bill was sponsored by Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., a key
proponent of offshore oil drilling along Florida's
coasts. Rice says she wonders how far polluters will be
allowed to go.
"This is clearly, certainly, out of step with Florida
citizens' environmental values. We see this legislation
as a brazen attack on the Clean Water Act laws that make
our waters safe for swimming, fishing and drinking."
Mica's support of oil interests is a family affair. His
brother, David, heads the Florida Petroleum Council, a
lobbyist for major oil companies such as BP and Exxon.
According to an Orlando newspaper, Congressman Mica's
daughter, D'Anne, has represented the Consumers Alliance
for Affordable Natural Gas and the Citizens Alliance for
Energy Security in support of increased access to
offshore oil and natural gas.
The legislation presents a looming health issue, Rice
says, adding that Mica needs to face the fact that no
one wants to visit or live around waterways thick with
pollutants.
"One of the things that really concerns me is this bill
negates much of the Clean Water Act, and it starts the
states on a race to the bottom when it comes to
clean-water standards."
The House-passed bill now goes to the Senate. Mica's
supporters say the EPA needs to loosen the noose they
claim is hanging over the head of Florida's economic
growth.
The text of the bill, HR 2018, is online at
the Government Printing office.