Water

Florida environmentalists say there are more bills to work on

2012 Legislature, Advocacy, Conservation, Water / By

By Bruce Ritchie Floridaenvironments.com After scoring victories last week, environmental group lobbyists at the Florida Capitol say there is plenty more work to do during the 2012 legislative session. Environmental groups dropped their opposition on Tuesday to HB 503 dealing with environmental permitting and HB 639 dealing with reclaimed water after they were amended to …

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Author seeks to slow damage to Florida’s water management system

1 Comment / Authors & Artists, Gov. Rick Scott, Water districts / By

Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection appear to be exercising more control over the state’s five water management districts, calling for statewide consistency while providing “one clear and consistent message.” But Tom Swihart, author of “Florida’s Water: A Fragile Resource in a Vulnerable State,” says Florida wouldn’t have been able to …

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Nestlé drops idea of water pumping near Wacissa River

Permitting, Water, Water Supply / By

Nestlé Waters North America on Wednesday told state officials the company no longer is considering a water-pumping operation along the Wacissa River in Jefferson County. Nestlé, a global water company which includes bottling operations near Blue Spring in Madison County and near Crystal Springs in Pasco County, said testing of Allen Spring along the Wacissa …

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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 / By

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 / By

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 / By

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 / By

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 / By

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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EPA agrees to study new water standards in Florida

Federal Agencies, Government, Pollution, Water / By

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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Author says “water ethic” needed in Florida’s future

Authors & Artists, Conservation, Conservation, Water, Water Supply / By

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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