MITCH NEEDELMAN
State Representative, District #31
Chair: Environmental Regulations l Vice Chair: Juvenile Justice Committee
lState Resources Council l Justice Appropriations
lSelect Committee on Juvenile Detention Facilities
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Bill Johnson |
| May 3, 2006 |
(321) 984-4848 |
REPRESENTATIVE NEEDELMAN CALLS FOR BROADER FOCUS
ON OFFSHORE DISCHARGE ALONG FLORIDA’S COASTLINE
TALLAHASSEE – Representative Mitch Needelman, R-Melbourne, chairman of the House Environmental Regulation Committee, has initiated a four-prong action plan to provide better avenues for the reduction of offshore discharge from ships along Florida’s coastline.
The plan includes:
1) A study clarifying federal and state jurisdiction when it comes to territorial and non-territorial waters off Florida’s coast;
2) Evaluating whether additional areas of state waters can be designated as “no-discharge” zones;
3) Providing more resources for the agencies charged with monitoring and enforcing proper vessel waste disposal practices; and
4) Expanding the Clean Marina Program to include Florida’s ports.
In a letter sent to House Speaker Allan Bense today, Representative Needelman requested that a select committee be appointed to “explore the jurisdictional limits of state and federal regulation of the discharge of waste in the waters of the state and to explore options to further protect human health (through water-contact activities), sensitive habitats, and aquatic organisms, birds, and other animals utilizing the water from adverse impacts of vessel sewage.”
The study would be completed and presented to lawmakers in November. Its results would be used in drafting a statewide memorandum of understanding between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the gaming vessel lines regarding the treatment and disposal of waste.
Additionally, Representative Needelman requested today that the FDEP evaluate state waters to determine if there are specific areas where a no-discharge zone would be applicable and beneficial to the state and the people of Florida. The waters of Destin Harbor, the City of Key West and state waters within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary all benefit from no-discharge zone designations.
Also, FDEP and the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) have each been asked to provide the Environmental Regulations Committee with descriptions of any enforcement activity conducted within the last year that addresses sewage discharge from vessels or floating structures. FDEP and FWCC also must submit detailed descriptions on how each will improve enforcement in the future and what resources are needed to meet those goals.
"I have also asked FDEP to explore a way in which we can expand the department’s Clean Marina Program to include Florida's ports. The program has made significant progress toward reducing pollution by encouraging marinas and boat yards to voluntarily adopt the best management practices needed to protect Florida's natural resources above and beyond environmental requirements," Representative Needelman said.
"With so many diverse activities in our Florida port system and many opportunities for pollution prevention, this seems like an area of great potential, not only for the implementation of best management practices but also to conduct outreach to members of the public who utilize port services," Representative Needelman said.
Each component of this plan will provide lawmakers with the tools needed to draft responsible and effective legislation to protect Florida’s coastline, Representative Needelman said. "We do not want to draft legislation that is duplicative of existing state law or short in scope but rather extend our enforcement so that Florida's beaches and waters remain safe and beautiful."
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