Author name: bruce

With Apalachicola Bay oysters continuing to suffer, state further tightens harvesting

1 Comment / Misc, Water, Wildlife /

By BRUCE RITCHIE FLORIDAENVIRONMENTS.COM APALACHICOLA — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is sharply reducing the number of oysters that can be taken from Apalachicola Bay because the oyster population there remains low. And some seafood workers are warning that oysters soon could be wiped out in a key harvesting area. State officials in […]

With Apalachicola Bay oysters continuing to suffer, state further tightens harvesting Read More »

Scientists question Scott’s commitment on climate after meeting

Climate Change, Gov. Rick Scott /

By BRUCE RITCHIE FLORIDAENVIRONMENTS.COM Scientists who met Tuesday with Gov. Rick Scott to explain the threat of climate change said the governor asked only modest questions while withholding comment on the issue. “He asked modest questions but he did not ask questions that reflected his understanding of the material,” Eckerd College Professor David Hastings said.

Scientists question Scott’s commitment on climate after meeting Read More »

Congressional candidates agree on Apalachicola River’s importance but not how to protect it

Federal Agencies, Water /

By BRUCE RITCHIE FLORIDAENVIRONMENTS.COM APALACHICOLA — Both candidates in the race for Congress in the Florida Panhandle say the Apalachicola River and the tri-state water wars are an important issue for voters in the district. Alabama, Florida and Georgia have been fighting in federal court since 1990 over water from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint system. Last year,

Congressional candidates agree on Apalachicola River’s importance but not how to protect it Read More »

District staff urges denial of controversial ranch water request

2 Comments / Legislation, Permitting, Water districts /

State officials are recommending denial of a requested water use permit for a cattle ranch in Marion County whose application in 2011 prompted a political campaign on behalf of Florida’s springs. The St. Johns River Water Management District staff says the application by Sleepy Creek Lands for 1.12 million in new pumping, combined with exiting

District staff urges denial of controversial ranch water request Read More »

One river system — with varying efforts to save it

1 Comment / Conservation, Water /

By BRUCE RITCHIE FLORIDAENVIRONMENTS.COM EUFAULA, Ala. — The Chattahoochee River is a single stream flowing towards Florida. But there were two very different activities going on this week that showed the contrasting ways in which people and institutions can deal with a water issue. Along the banks of Lake Eufaula, created by a dam across

One river system — with varying efforts to save it Read More »

Scott signs environmental bills following quiet session

Misc /

By BRUCE RITCHIE FLORIDAENVIRONMENTS.COM Gov. Rick Scott on Friday signed 94 bills into law including most of the notable environmental legislation that passed in the 2014 legislative session. The 2014 session overall was quiet, but only after controversial bills dealing with growth management (SB 372) and environmental regulation (HB 703) died in committees. Among the bills signed

Scott signs environmental bills following quiet session Read More »

Groups claim coal ash is leaking into Apalachicola River

2 Comments / Misc /

By BRUCE RITCHIE FLORIDAENVIRONMENTS.COM Environmental groups say a coal-fired power plant along the Apalachicola River is leaking cancer-causing pollutants into the river. The Earthjustice law firm announced Thursday it had filed a federal lawsuit in Tallahassee on behalf of environmental groups to stop the alleged leaks from Gulf Power Co.’s Plant Scholz near Sneads. Coal ash

Groups claim coal ash is leaking into Apalachicola River Read More »

Scott signs 2014-15 budget, spares local water projects

1 Comment / Budgets /

By BRUCE RITCHIE FLORIDAENVIRONMENTS.COM Gov. Rick Scott spared legislators’ prized water projects on Monday while vetoing $68.9 million in the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The state budget will increase by $3 billion since last fiscal year with the help of a rebounding economy that produced more state revenue. “I looked at every

Scott signs 2014-15 budget, spares local water projects Read More »