Author name: bruce

Wakulla Springs lodge could close under proposed versions of state budget

1 Comment / 2011 Legislature, Budgets, Government, Parks /

The historic lodge at Wakulla Springs State Park could eventually close under proposed House and Senate versions of the 2011-12 state budget. Both versions of the budget call for turning concessions at five state parks over to private companies to operate. Wakulla Springs State Park supporters are concerned that the 27-bed lodge built in 1937 […]

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Author says “water ethic” needed in Florida’s future

Authors & Artists, Conservation, Conservation, Water, Water Supply /

Florida doesn’t need another white paper offering water policy recommendations to protect future water supplies. What the state finally needs is a “water ethic.” That’s the case made in a recent report by the Collins Center for Public Policy called “Our Water, Our Florida: A Water Ethic for Florida” by Cynthia Barnett. She is an

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Senate budget chief wants land sales to pay for new purchases

2011 Legislature, Budgets, Conservation, Government, Land Acquisition /

The Senate’s budget chief says selling state land could help the Florida Forever land-buying program survive these lean budget times. A proposed Senate version of the 2011-12 state budget includes $308 million in spending authority for the program. But the money would have to come from the sale of land the state now owns. Florida

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Developers would determine “need” under proposed growth law rewrite

Growth Management, Growth Management Law /

During a recent Cabinet meeting, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater summed up an important debate over growth management policy by relating it to the rapidly expanding Five Guys hamburger chain. Some Bay County residents had asked the Cabinet to deny a request for a proposed 174-slip commercial marina on Callaway Bayou. The residents said the

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Coley targets another section of last year’s water quality bill

2011 Legislature, Legislation, Pollution, Water /

Rep. Marti Coley has filed another bill to repeal a section of the SB 550 the water quality bill that passed the Legislature in 2010. SB 550 included a requirement that septic tanks statewide to be inspected every five years and it banned the spreading of septic tank waste on land in 2016. The Legislature

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Some biomass energy projects stall as others remain viable

Biomass, Energy, Misc /

Conceptual rendering of American Renewables’ proposed plant in Gainesville Officials in the biomass energy industry say regulatory uncertainties continue to affect the development of new projects in Florida. As state officials continue to promote biomass as a source of energy that will create jobs in Florida, some projects remain in limbo while company officials say

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Walton County bill raises statewide concerns for sea turtles

2011 Legislature, Government, Growth Management, Land-use Planning, Wildlife /

Some environmentalists are asking the Legislature to take a closer look at a local bill for Walton County that could allow sea walls to remain in place without state permits. Following extensive beach erosion caused by Hurricane Dennis in 2005, Walton County authorized the construction of between 250 and 275 sea walls along 26 miles

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Governor skips Florida Forever rally, visits with Tea Party

Advocacy, Budgets, Conservation, Gov. Rick Scott, Government, Land Acquisition /

Gov. Rick Scott skipped a rally for the Florida Forever conservation land-buying program but attended a nearby “Tea Party” rally on the opening day of the legislative session. Florida Forever was the largest land-buying program in the nation from 1990 to 2008, when funding was reduced. Scott offered no money for the program in his

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Environmental groups digging in for tough legislative session

2011 Legislature, Advocacy, Conservation, Gov. Rick Scott, Government, Growth Management, Growth Management Law, Legislation, Water /

Environmental groups, which have become accustomed to playing defense in the Legislature for many years, are digging in for what could be an even tougher fight this year. The legislative session starts on Tuesday, March 8. There are bills filed to streamline environmental permitting, repeal a statewide septic tank inspection requirement and prohibit local governments

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Opponents of growth ballot measure take new aim at Florida enviro groups

1 Comment / Advocacy, Conservation, Growth Management /

The group that led the opposition to the “Hometown Democracy” Amendment 4 last November said Tuesday that environmental groups continue to “wage a campaign of unchecked misinformation.” Amendment 4, which was voted down by 67 percent of voters, would have required local voter approval of changes to comprehensive land use plans. Business groups, cities and

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