Posted on December 4, 2012 by John Milner
On March 13, 2012, eleven environmental organizations, led by Gulf Restoration Network (“GRN”), filed
a federal Clean Water Act (CWA) citizen suit which demanded that the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) set federal numeric standards for nitrogen and phosphorus for water bodies within the 31
states comprising the Mississippi River Basin (“Basin States”). Gulf Restoration Network v. Jackson,
E.D. La., No. 2: 12-cv-00677 (“GRN Suit”). The complaint alleges that EPA has failed to develop
numeric water quality criteria for nitrogen and phosphorus in the Basin States. EPA’s answer states that it
is appropriately deferring to each state to promulgate numeric nutrient criteria (“NNCs”) that satisfy
Clean Water Act water quality standards within the state and that, consequently, federal NNCs are not
appropriate. The trial judge ruled on September 19, 2012 that the case will be decided on “cross-motions
for summary judgment, with no initial disclosures or other discovery.” In the same order, the judge set a
briefing schedule for the parties (including numerous entities to which the court granted permission to
intervene) that will extend through the beginning of June of next year.
The GRN Suit, as well as other similar suits that are active in other regions, have prompted many state
environmental agencies to work diligently, pursuant to EPA’s deference and also its demand, to develop
NNCs as quickly as possible. If EPA wins the GRN Suit, the Basin States will have to be ready to go
forward with promulgation of their NNCs. If EPA loses, they may be subjected to more stringent federal
NNCs on a “one size fits all” basis. A settlement could mean an even different outcome for all ofthe
parties.
In Mississippi, the state’s Department of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ”) has formed a Nutrient
Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to develop scientifically defensible NNCs that are appropriate for
Mississippi’s surface waters. The TAG is composed ofMDEQ staff, MDEQ’s external consultants and
in-state university personnel who have water quality expeiiise and is meeting on a regular basis. MDEQ
staff members have stated that the agency’s plan is to have draft NNCs developed for all state waters,
excluding the heavily agricultural Delta counties, by June 30, 2013. The draft NNCs for the Delta are to
be developed by November 30, 2014. MDEQ wil then publish these draft NNCs for public comment.
MDEQ has held several stakeholder meetings to discuss the development of Mississippi’s NNCs and to
provide an opportunity for questions and comments. The MDEQ staff members have consistently
explained that they are considering “what is protective of the environment” rather than “what is
technically achievable.” The new NNCs wil be “worked into permits” as they come up for renewal and
permittees wil be allowed a “reasonable time frame” to come into compliance with the new NNCs.
The key issue for the regulated community in Mississippi, as in other states, will be the cost of
compliance with these new NNCs, which could bear a very expensive price tag. In Florida, for example,
a national environmental engineering consultant prepared an economic analysis of proposed NNCs. The
estimate for direct compliance costs ranged from $ 1.5 bilion annually (best management practices for
impaired water categories) to $4.5 billion annually (“end of pipe” requirements for all water categories).
Regulated communities in Mississippi and in other states across the country are engaging with scientific
and economic data and consultants in order to have an impact concerning this volatile issue. A lot is on
the line.
Tags: Gulf Restoration Network, Clean Water Act, EPA, water quality, NNCs, MDEQ
Clean Water Act | Environmental Protection Agency | Water Quality Standards