Move to Strip Cleanup Funds from IPTF Budget Could Generate Economic Havoc

MOUNT DORA, Fla. --- A cost-cutting move by Florida legislators to strip $200 million from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Inland Protection Trust Fund (IPTF) could prove disastrous, says one of the state’s leading experts on environmental protection and cleanups.

Irvin Heath, President of HCR (Handex Consulting and Remediation, LLC) based in Mount Dora, said the economic consequences of sweeping the funds are disastrous to our environmental protection efforts.

“The Inland Protection Trust Fund (IPTF) pays for cleanup of contaminated sites where petroleum products have leaked into the environment,” Heath explained. “In many cases, the environmental consequences are dire---pollution may contaminate the aquifer from which Florida receives its drinking water,” he said.

But the economic consequences are just as dire,” said Heath. “Although we have received preliminary approval to fund the program with a $90 Million bond – with a cost of $10.2 million to service the debt on that bond – we are fearful as we do not know if they will sweep the fund again next year, causing further cleanup delays and the spread of contamination,” he added.

“If the sites can’t be cleaned, it means property transfers may be delayed and economic transactions will be postponed or canceled. Some businesses will continue to lay off employees and others may close,” Heath said.

“I know legislators are in a difficult position due to today’s economic pressures trying to balance budgets and meet the needs of education and other citizen programs while tax receipts are down,” Heath said. “But the sacrifice in this case may be too great. We are jeopardizing the health of our waters, our children and the economy, and that’s not good,” he said.

Heath said he is busy working with his member teams and simultaneously contacting legislators, while trying to educate the public about the consequences of these funds being cut.

“I don’t believe the legislators understand how serious this is,” Heath said. “We are optimistic that once they understand the full implications of what they are doing they will adjust their strategy. We encourage all citizens to understand this issue and to contact their local legislators to secure their support,” he added.

For more information contact:
Irvin Heath, President, HCR (Handex Consulting & Remediation, LLC), 352-735-1800 ext. 127, IHeath@handexmail.com
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications, 407-644-4142, Lvershelco@aol.com

About HCR:
HCR is headquartered in Mount Dora with offices in Tallahassee, Tampa, Delray, Fla. and in central New Jersey. HCR has over 160 employees serving clients that range from state environmental protection agencies, industrial and commercial firms to some of the largest U.S. major and independent oil corporations and convenience store operators. Due to potential stimulus project work, HCR is also focused on providing services to the transportation and construction business sectors. As HCR’s record shows, the company can perform all environmental component work.