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Martin County

File #: 24-0870   
Type: Consent Status: Agenda Ready
In control: Board of County Commissioners
On agenda: 5/14/2024 Final action:
Title: BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' APPROVAL TO SUPPORT THE WATER SYSTEMS PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) LIABILITY PROTECTION ACT S.1430 -118TH CONGRESS (2023-2024)
Attachments: 1. Letter to Rubio.pdf, 2. Letter to Scott.pdf

PLACEMENT: Consent

TITLE:

title  

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ APPROVAL TO SUPPORT THE WATER SYSTEMS PER- AND POLYFLUOROALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFAS) LIABILITY PROTECTION ACT S.1430 -118TH CONGRESS (2023-2024)

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

executive summary

Senate Bill 1430 exempts specified water management entities, including public water systems, from liability under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) for releases of certain perfluoroalkyl or poly-fluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. Support of S.1430 will help ensure polluters, not the public, pay for PFAS cleanup.

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DEPARTMENT: Utilities and Solid Waste                     

PREPARED BY:                      Name: Anne Murray                     

                     Title:                     Hydrogeologist / Water Resources Coordinator                     

REQUESTED BY: Samuel Amerson, P.E., Utilities & Solid Waste Director                                           

 

PRESET:     

PROCEDURES: None                     

 

BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:

 

This proposed rule is under final review this spring; Congress must ensure that water and wastewater utilities and their ratepayers are not liable for PFAS contamination remediation. Support of S. 1430, the Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act, introduced by Sen. Cynthia Lummis, would preserve the “polluter pays” principle under CERCLA and ensure that water and wastewater utilities can continue focusing on maintaining water quality.

 

ISSUES:

 

None

 

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:

 

This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, has identified and addressed legal risks, and has developed strategies for legal defensibility.

 

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

 

RECOMMENDATION

Move that the Board approve support of S. 1430 - Water Systems PFAS Liability Protection Act and authorize the Director of Utilities & Solid Waste to sign support letters to Senators Scott and Rubio.

 

ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

Pull this item from the Consent Agenda and direct staff accordingly.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

RECOMMENDATION

None

                     

ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS

None

 

DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:

Budget Transfer / Amendment                      Chair Letter                                                               Contract / Agreement

Grant / Application                                          Notice          Ordinance                     Resolution

Other:     Letters

This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.