Florida's health and the health of its economy depend on clean water, and nothing has made that more clear than the BP oil spill in the Gulf.

No one doubts the threats to the beauty and biodiversity of Florida's coasts, or the risks posed to a $57-billion tourism industry responsible for about 900,000 jobs. The environmental, economic and health effects could be devastating, which is why some of the loudest calls for action have been raised by Florida's residents, businesses and elected officials.

At a time when critical action is necessary to protect Florida's water from a potential threat, it is shocking to see efforts taking place to derail important work that will prevent water pollution already in the state.

In January the EPA proposed clear standards to help reduce water pollution that causes harmful algae blooms -- the thick, green muck that fouls clear water and harms ecosystems across the state. An amendment recently circulated in Congress would prohibit EPA from issuing those standards and put a stop to work that is essential to Florida's environment and economic future.

Floridians are all too familiar with harmful algae blooms. The blooms are caused by nutrient pollution, excess fertilizer and wastewater runoff that affect waters from Lake Munson in the north to the canals off Biscayne Bay to the Everglades in the south. During months of public comment, it has become clear that the majority of Floridians want to see action on this problem. They know that inaction puts too high a cost on people's health, homeowner property values and the tourism economy.

Exposure to the green sludge can cause rashes, dizziness, upset stomachs and possibly even damage the central nervous system. Homeowners living near harmful algae blooms face the risk of plummeting property values. When green slime covered the St. Lucie River in 2005, the drop in nearby property values was estimated as high as half a billion dollars.

The harmful blooms also pose a threat to fish and other aquatic life. While that is an obvious and urgent environmental problem, it also threatens the economy. The tourism industry -- Florida's economic lifeblood -- depends on clean water and robust fish stocks. More than 880,000 fishers flocked to Florida in 2006, spending more than $1 billion on fishing related products and services alone. Combined with residents, Florida's fishers spent more than any other state -- $4 billion -- making Florida the fishing capital of the nation.

Floridians have waited more than a decade for action to cut nutrient pollution and reduce harmful algae blooms. We've developed clear standards in collaboration with local scientists, technical experts and state officials, and engaged in weeks of open discussion in public meetings across the state.

EPA will continue to collaborate with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, which will implement the pollution protections, and the scientific community, which will ensure that our actions are based on the best science.

EPA's transparent, science-based pollution standards will help protect Florida's waters, allowing the state to maintain property values, keep tourism vibrant and grow communities that are healthy places to live, work, play and learn.

We are taking a common-sense approach to a problem that has affected Florida for many years. We should not miss this unique and urgent opportunity to do something about it.

Bob Perciasepe is the deputy administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.