Author name: bruce

Agriculture Commissioner Charles Bronson during a Cabinet meeting today challenged other supporters of the state’s Florida Forever land-buying program to determine how many more acres the state needs for conservation. The state has purchased 2.4 million acres since 1990 under Florida Forever and a predecessor program. Gov. Charlie Crist proposed $300 million for the program […]

Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet today will be asked to approve a new Florida Forever list even as the House and Senate propose to eliminate funding for the land-buying program after nearly 20 years of continuous funding. Also, today, the Cabinet will be asked to approve a list of proposed waterfront projects that will

A Senate committee Tuesday is scheduled to consider a proposal to shift the burden of proof for environmental permits from the applicants to agencies and individuals who are filing challenges. A proposed committee substitute for Senate Bill 364 would include the provision that presumes applications submitted by licensed professionals are correct. Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton,

A former NFL football player-turned-developer has teamed up with Florida Power & Light to plan what the utility says will be the largest solar power array in the world. Developer Syd Kitson and an FP&L; official were joined by environmentalists in Washington to announce the plans to build in Southwest Florida a 75-megawatt solar array

Gov. Charlie Crist said today he called House Speaker Larry Cretul on Monday to urge the House to take action on a bill that would set requirements on utilities for producing renewable energy. HB 1319 would adopt the recommendation of the Florida Public Service Commission and Gov. Charlie Crist that utilities produce at least 20

Copies of the 2009 Florida Forever Conservation Photography Calendar were distributed by groups and agencies at the Capitol on Monday. Image published with permission from University Press of Florida. With budget cuts threatening to end the nation’s largest land conservation program, environmental groups on Monday released poll results they said showed support for the state’s

Two major environmental bills cleared hurdles today in Senate committees but doubts were raised publicly about whether either have a chance of passing this session. SB 1154 by Sen. Jim King, R-Jacksonville, would require utilities to produce at least 20 percent of their electricity from “clean” energy sources including nuclear. Gov. Charlie Crist in 2007

Florida’s three national forests are offering free admission today through Sunday at recreation sites and campgrounds. The free admission is being offered to support “Get Outdoors Florida!”, a coalition that says it wants to address societal needs including public well-being, health issues and natural resource conservation. Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet endorsed the program

Bald Point State Park Gov. Charlie Crist and environmentalists say they’re not giving up on the state’s land-buying program despite there being zero money for it so far in the House and Senate versions of the proposed 2009-10 state budget.  The Legislature has budgeted $300 million for the program every year since 1990, leading to

Gov. Charlie Crist today announced a revised state plan to purchase a swath of U.S. Sugar Corp. land to restore the Everglades and Florida’s “River of Grass.” Crist last summer announced a preliminary deal by the South Florida Water Management District to buy up to 187,000 acres for $1.34 billion. Facing criticism from some legislators