(Tallahassee – News Service of Florida): EPA APPROVES BUSINESS-BACKED PLAN FOR FLORIDA’S WATER – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the state’s plan to set new water standards on Friday. Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel Vinyard said in a release that the federal approval “marks a significant step forward in protecting and restoring water quality across the state.” The EPA also filed a motion in the U.S. District Court in Tallahassee to amend a consent decree to reflect the change. The EPA and DEP had reached agreements in November and March allowing the state agency to establish the new numeric nutrient criteria for 98.9 percent of the bodies of water in Florida. The EPA continues to review the remaining waterways. The state Legislature approved a measure (HB 1808) in May – signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott on May 30 – that allows the state to set the new nitrogen and phosphorus levels for almost every body of water in Florida. The bill was a priority of the Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Florida and a requirement of the EPA and DEP agreements.