2010 archive

Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet on Tuesday approved the purchase of a 782-acre conservation easement in Osceola County that a ranching family said will help it stay in the cattle business. Adams Ranch covers 33,000 acres and includes some virtually undisturbed areas that provide habitat for numerous threatened wildlife species, according to the Florida […]

Gov. Charlie Crist announced Tuesday afternoon that Florida received $25 million from BP for advertising, offsetting criticism earlier in the day from a state senator that the governor wasn’t doing enough in response to the spill. At the state Emergency Operations Center, Crist announced shortly after 4 p.m. the receipt of the $25-million wire transfer

Supporters of beach sand replacement projects are welcoming a $15.5 million appropriation in the 2010-11 state budget approved by the Legislature. Gov. Charlie Crist did not request any new money for the projects but supported using $5 million in unspent money from prior year projects. The 2010-11 budget includes $10.5 million in new general revenue

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink on Monday asked President Barack Obama to direct the federal government to take away control by BP over the response to the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Sink also asked the president to send top administration officials to brief the state Cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday.

The land application of sewage sludge, called biosolids, would be further restricted under rule revisions adopted last week by the state Environmental Regulation Commission. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection proposed rule revisions in 2009 because of increasing public concerns about environmental and health threats posed by the spreading of biosolids on farm fields and

Panama City and Bay County’s new airport opens Sunday amid pomp and gala with state officials visiting on Saturday. Gov. Charlie Crist, Attorney General Bill McCollum, Sen. Bill Nelson, Sen. George LeMieux and members of the local legislative delegation are expected to attend. The Northwest Florida Beaches Airport will have a 10,000-foot runway and is

View Larger MapThe state Environmental Regulation Commission on Thursday approved a rule allowing the Buckeye Florida pulp mill near Perry to discharge a darker wastewater than previously had been allowed. The mill, built in 1954, is the largest employer in Taylor County with more than 500 workers. Buckeye also has been the target of environmentalists

Many canals and concrete ditches don’t need the same level of water quality treatment as natural waterways, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection says. As a result, the state Environmental Regulation Commission on Thursday approved a rule that would create a new waterway classification for those altered water bodies. But environmental groups opposed the rule

Senate President Jeff Atwater on Thursday named Sen. Mike Bennett to chair the Legislature’s panel that nominates new members of the Florida Public Service Commission. Bennett, R-Bradenton, replaces Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs as chairman of the Public Service Commission Nominating Council. Constantine was among 61 people applying for two PSC openings that will occur

The Environmental Regulation Commission will take up three controversial proposals when it meets Thursday in Tallahassee. The ERC will consider a proposed Florida Department of Environmental Protection rule to establish a new waterway classification system for determining water quality standards. The Florida Stormwater Association in 2009 petitioned DEP to create a new classification so that