Misc

Florida has joined federal authorities in extending the length of the red snapper fishing season in the Gulf of Mexico, partially addressing a contentious issue from earlier this year. “This is just what the doctor ordered and couldn’t have come at a better time to give a much-needed boost to our Gulf fishing communities that […]

Supporters of Amendment 4 say the Florida Chamber of Commerce, a major opponent of the proposed growth management measure, is encouraging employers to pressure their workers to join the opposition. Amendment 4 would require voter approval of changes to local comprehensive land use plans which say where development can occur. Supporters say the measure is

A new oil rig explosion off the Louisiana coast on Thursday led House Republicans and Democrats to trade accusations about oil drilling. The Mariner Energy production rig caught fire Thursday morning. Thirteen workers were rescued, one with injuries. There were reports of an oil sheen on the Gulf surface but it was unclear whether the

Members of a state oil spill task force on Wednesday sharply criticized independent claims administrator Kenneth R. Feinberg for his new claims review process while Attorney General Bill McCollum said he plans to meet with Feinberg to discuss their differences. The BP oil spill that began April 20 sent waves of oil ashore at Pensacola

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday approved a new process for identifying threatened species that would replace the controversial state listing process. The agency faced a firestorm of opposition in 2007 when it considered moving the manatee from endangered to the less protective “threatened” category on the state list. The commission delayed

The Florida Public Service Commission on Tuesday agreed to delay action until September on energy conservation plans proposed by six utilities. The PSC adopted conservation goals in January for the state’s five largest electric utilities and two city-owned utilities. They are subject to the Florida Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (FEECA), adopted by the Legislature

State wildlife officials say they will get out of the business of determining whether species should be listed as endangered under a proposed new classification process. Environmental and some recreational groups say they support the proposed changes. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been wrangling for the past decade with the contentious issue

A Leon County circuit judge on Thursday struck down a controversial measure that dropped a requirement in state law that developers pay for new roads and schools in many areas. SB 360 was one of the most controversial bills of the 2009 legislative session. The measure lifted transportation “concurrency” requirements for new roads in designated

Conceptual rendering of American Renewables proposed plant in Gainesville Former Sen. Rod Smith of Gainesville and the Florida Wildlife Federation are among the individuals and groups voicing their support for a proposed biomass energy plant in Alachua County in advance of a hearing this week. CFO Alex Sink, who is running for governor with Smith

Florida is moving ahead with adopting its own rules to measure the health of estuaries despite its opposition to a federal proposal to do the same for lakes and rivers, Department of Environmental Protection officials said Tuesday. Department officials on Tuesday held a hearing in Tallahassee on proposed numeric nutrient criteria, which are specific limits