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EPA/WATER RIN: 2040-AF21 Publication ID: Fall 2013 
Title: Water Quality Standards for the State of Florida's Estuaries and Coastal Waters 
Abstract: EPA is under a Consent Decree deadline to sign a notice of final rulemaking for numeric nutrient water quality criteria (which are elements of water quality standards) for the State of Florida's estuaries and coastal waters by September 30, 2013. Pursuant to a judicial order, EPA's obligation to sign a notice of final rulemaking for numeric nutrient water quality criteria for flowing waters in south Florida (including canals), tidally influence segments, and the downstream protection values for flowing waters into estuaries by September 30, 2013 has been stayed until 30 days after the court rules on EPA's motion to modify the Consent Decree to relieve EPA of its obligation to finalize criteria for those waters. Per the terms of the Consent Decree, EPA signed for publication in the Federal register proposed criteria for these three categories on November 30, 2012. EPA has approved as Water Quality Standards numeric nutrient criteria for certain estuaries, certain coastal waters and quantitative procedures for downstream protection developed by the State of Florida. For any estuaries and/or coastal waters for which Florida adopts and EPA approves numeric nutrient water quality criteria by September 30, 2013, EPA is relieved of its obligation to sign a notice of final rulemaking for those waters. 
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 131   
Legal Authority: 33 USC 1251 et seq   
Legal Deadline:
Action Source Description Date
Final  Judicial  9/30/2013 - Consent Decree. As per extension approved 7/16/2012 (Florida Wildlife Federation v. EPA#08-324 USDC Northern District of Florida).  09/30/2013 
NPRM  Judicial  11/30/2012- Consent Decree. As per extension approved 7/16/2012 (Florida Wildlife Federation v. EPA #08-324 USDC Northern District of Florida). Original deadline was 11/14/2011.  11/30/2012 
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM  12/18/2012  77 FR 74924   
Final Rule  11/00/2013 
Additional Information: Docket #:EPA-HQ-OW-2010-0222. http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/florida_coastal.cfm
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: State 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Erica Fleisig
Environmental Protection Agency
Water
4305T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 566-1057
Email: fleisig.erica@epa.gov

Corey Buffo
Environmental Protection Agency
Water
4305T, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20460
Phone:202 566-1279
Email: buffo.corey@epa.gov