Conservation

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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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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House panel passes three controversial bills

2011 Legislature, Forests & Agriculture, Government, Permitting, Water /

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,

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Groups want panther back in North Florida, South Georgia

Advocacy, Conservation, Wildlife /

Environmental groups are asking federal wildlife officials to reintroduce panthers into North Florida and South Georgia to help save the endangered species. Panthers once ranged across the southeast but are now limited to South Florida, where there are fewer than 130 living in the wild. Threats to their survival habitat loss, highways, lack of genetic

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