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Natural Resources Board votes to draft letter opposing proposed EPA changes to PFAS guidance
Summary
The board voted to have the chair draft a letter urging the city council and mayor to oppose proposed EPA changes affecting PFAS standards, citing an urgent July public-comment deadline. Staff and legal counsel will assist in preparing the draft.
The Sebastian Natural Resources Board voted June 2 to direct its chair to draft a letter opposing proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency changes to PFAS guidance and to present that draft to the city council and mayor for possible adoption and submission.
Board member Charles told the panel the EPA has opened a public-review period on proposed revisions to PFAS (referred to as "PAS" in the transcript) guidance that could alter enforceable maximum contaminant levels and hazard-index restrictions. "The final cut off is July 1st; the EPA will host hearings July 7 and this could be history by July 20," Charles said, urging prompt action and asking the board for unanimous support to present a consolidated city-level position.
Board members agreed the city council is the appropriate body to send official comments but voted for the Natural Resources Board to draft and forward a recommended letter. "I'll have legal and staff help with drafting," Charles said. The board’s motion directed the chair to prepare a draft letter in opposition to the EPA proposal and present it to the city council and mayor for their approval and potential submission.
The motion passed on a roll call; the audible record does not identify the motion mover or seconder. Board members indicated urgency because of federal public-comment and hearing dates; staff said there are city-council meeting slots on June 24 that could allow council consideration before the EPA deadlines.
The board emphasized the letter’s purpose would be to request that EPA retain or strengthen existing safeguards for PFAS rather than weaken them. Staff will assist and coordinate with the city’s legal office to prepare a draft for the chair to transmit to the city council’s public calendar if timing allows.
Next steps noted in the meeting: staff will forward draft language from standard templates as a starting point and coordinate with the chair to meet the public-comment timeline.
