Florida Environments

Nestlé drops idea of water pumping near Wacissa River

Nestlé Waters North America on Wednesday told state officials the company no longer is considering a water-pumping operation along the Wacissa River in Jefferson County. Nestlé, a global water company which includes bottling operations near Blue Spring in Madison County and near Crystal Springs in Pasco County, said testing of Allen Spring along the Wacissa [...]

Final day of session: Energy dead but growth overhaul, septic bills very much alive

Growth management, fertilizer and septic tanks are some of the environmental issues awaiting action by the Legislature on Friday, its final scheduled day of the regular session. Renewable energy, permitting and growth management were the big three issues heading into the session. There also was an outcry from some rural residents against last year’s requirement [...]

Bennett says he now wants to shift burden of proof to challengers

A provision that was stripped out of a House permit streamlining bill last week after environmentalists denounced it was back Wednesday as a proposed amendment to a Senate rulemaking bill. The amendment to SB 1382 would place the burden of proof on those who challenge state environmental permits. The amendment by Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, [...]

Permitting bill sails through House with amendments

Joking that he had taken out “the nasty stuff” opposed by environmentalists, Rep. Jimmy Patronis said Friday his environmental permitting bill still is good for Florida’s businesses. The House quickly amended HB 991 on Friday and gave it final approval without questions or debate. The bill would streamline the state permitting process to reduce lawsuits [...]

Permitting bill includes “sneak attack” on local rock mining regs

In a move described as a “sneak attack” by one environmental opponent, a House bill that supporters say would streamline the state permitting process was amended Thursday to prevent local governments from regulating rock mining. HB 991 by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, was amended by the House Economic Affairs Committee. Business groups long have [...]

House panel passes three controversial bills

Three of the most controversial environmental and agricultural bills to emerge prior to the 2011 legislative session were approved on Tuesday by a House committee. The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee approved bills dealing with septic tanks, local fertilizer regulations and agricultural exemptions from water management district permits. HB 13 by Rep. Marti Coley, [...]