Author name: bruce

Session could have been worse but it was still bad, environmentalists say

2011 Legislature, Advocacy, Budgets, Conservation, Economic Opportunity, Energy, FDEP, Gov. Rick Scott, Government, Growth Management, Growth Management Law, Land Acquisition, Legislation, Water, Water districts /

The Florida legislative session went off track early Saturday, taking several bills with it that were supported by business and industry groups and opposed by environmentalists. But environmentalists were not in a celebratory mood as the Legislature passed bills gutting state growth management and placing the burden of proof on those who file legal challenges […]

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

2011 Legislature, Advocacy, Budgets, Conservation, Gov. Rick Scott, Government, Growth Management, Growth Management Law, Permitting, Pollution, Water /

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

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

2011 Legislature, FDEP, Government, Permitting, Water /

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,

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Permitting bill sails through House with amendments

2011 Legislature, Government, Permitting, Water /

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

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

2011 Legislature, Government, Permitting, Water /

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

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Florida environmentalists uneasy as legislative session enters second half

2011 Legislature, Conservation, Government, Growth Management, Growth Management Law, Land Acquisition /

With the Legislative session more than half over, some environmentalists are saying the session already has been bad enough. But at least one veteran environmental lobbyist says the worst could be yet to come. The Legislature is showing little interest in providing new money for the Florida Forever land-buying program while at the same time

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EPA agrees to study new water standards in Florida

Federal Agencies, Government, Pollution, Water /

The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to an independent review of federal water quality standards for Florida that were adopted last fall. The EPA says nitrogen and phosphorus have caused algae in Florida waterways and toxic red tides along the coast. The federal numeric nutrient criteria replaces a state narrative standard that environmentalists

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Commission faces heat for considering increase in redfish catch

Federal Agencies, Government, Wildlife /

A proposal by state fisheries managers to increase the daily recreational catch for red drum in North Florida recalls the “redfish wars” of the late 1980s, according to a veteran recreational fishing activist. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday will consider raising the limit for red drum from one to two in

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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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