TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - A state appellate court his rejected a challenge from environmental groups to Florida's new water pollution rules.
A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal affirmed the rules Monday without comment.
The Florida Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club and three other groups argued the rules are scientifically unsound and too weak to prevent algae blooms from choking state waters.
They favor stricter rules developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA has tentatively approved the state's rules for use in some Florida waters and the federal rules for others. The agency expects to finalize its decision by Aug. 31.
Agriculture and business interests as well as utilities contend the federal rules are too expensive to implement. They support the state rules.
