TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida is restarting efforts to develop tougher water pollution regulations to avoid an impending federal takeover of that responsibility.
The state Department of Environmental Protection is holding a meeting Wednesday in Tallahassee to obtain public comment on its proposals.
The federal Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to give Florida another chance after years of delay.
The EPA, though, remains set to implement its own standards if it finds the new state rules unacceptable.
Agricultural and business interests and many local governments oppose the federal rules, saying they would cost billions to implement.
EPA says those estimates are grossly exaggerated.
The federal agency stepped in due to a court settlement with environmentalists.
They say Florida's present regulations are so weak they've let state waters become choked with algae blooms.
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