FL Governor Rick Scott |  FL Dept. of Environmental Protection |  Environmental Regulation & Permitting |  Land Acquisition |  State lands |  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |  FL Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam |  Water management districts
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Popular Environment Bills
HB 0999 Environmental Regulation
SB 1684 Environmental Regulation
SB 0560 Natural Gas Motor Fuel
HB 0007 Water Management Districts
HB 7065 Everglades Improvement and Management
SB 1808 Numeric Nutrient Criteria
HB 1083 Underground Natural Gas Storage
SB 0444 Domestic Wastewater Discharged Through Ocean Outfalls
SB 0682 Fossil Fuel Combustion Products
SB 0958 Underground Natural Gas Storage
Environment Bills On The Move
SB 0682 Fossil Fuel Combustion Products
SENATE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed
SB 0934 Stormwater Management Permits
SENATE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed
HB 0265 Florida Wildflower License Plate
HOUSE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed
HB 0309 Renewable Energy Producers
HOUSE Died in Energy & Utilities Subcommittee
SB 1808 Numeric Nutrient Criteria
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor (Governor must act on this bill by 06/05/13)
HB 0415 Brownfields
SENATE Died in Environmental Preservation and Conservation
SB 0498 Renewable Energy Producers
SENATE Died in Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities
HB 1083 Underground Natural Gas Storage
Bill to be Discussed During the Office of EDR's Revenue Estimating Impact Conference, 05/16/13, 1:30 pm, 117 K (No Votes Will Be Taken)
ANRAS1 Trust Funds/DEP
HOUSE Committee Bill filed as H 7049
HB 0999 Environmental Regulation
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor (Governor must act on this bill by 06/04/13)

Environment and Natural Resources

4 DEP attorneys ousted, prompting Facebook backlash

 
by Bruce Ritchie - 1 day ago - +
Former DEP attorney Christopher T. Byrd wrote on his Facebook page that a new DEP general counsel "is moving in a 'new direction,' not in the direction of environmental protection, thanks (Gov.) Rick Scott." A department spokesman said reduction of four attorneys was about reduced caseload and has nothing to do with less environmental protection.

What spending counts as conservation spending? Analysts wrestle with proposed constitutional amendment

by Bruce Ritchie - 2 days ago - +
Environmental groups are supporting a ballot measure that would direct 33 percent of an excise tax on documents towards conservation activities. Analysts say whether the amendment resulted in more or less money being spent would depend on decisions made by the Legislature.

Governor vetoes $50 million for proposed bike trail along with $27.3 million in water projects

by Bruce Ritchie - 4 days ago - +
This map shows the "Coast to Coast Connector," a proposed series of recreation trails that would connect to existing trails across Central Florida. Gov. Rick Scott on May 20 vetoed a $50-million appropriation for the project in the 2013-14
When deciding whether to approve or reject a spending item, Scott said his criteria was whether it helps families get jobs, improves the education system or makes government more eficient.

DEP attorneys seek new hearing in permitting case involving employee who testified against bosses

by Bruce Ritchie - 7 days ago - +
An administrative law judge has backed DEP wetlands expert Connie Bersok's challenge to her bosses. File photo by Bruce Ritchie. Judge E. Gary Early issued the recommended order April 11 backing DEP wetlands expert Connie Bersok, who testified last November in a legal challenge to a proposed permit for a wetlands mitigation bank in Clay County. She had written a memo objecting to a draft proposed permit before being suspended from her job for unsubstantiated work violations.

The Week in Review for May 17, 2013

by Florida Current Staff - 7 days ago - +
This week leading senators took a shot at the annual turkey list of state budget items compiled by a business-backed policy group. And Gov. Scott turned down a proposed deal to bring Internet-retailer Amazon to the state.

Water projects left off Florida TaxWatch's "turkey" list this year

by Bruce Ritchie - 1 week ago - +
Rep. Ben Albritton, chair of the House Appropriations AG & Natural Resources Subcommittee, holds up a packet of applications for water projects funding during an April 1 meeting. Photo by Bruce Ritchie. The Legislature's 2013-14 state budget includes 88 water projects totaling $59.4 million. Last year, Florida TaxWatch labeled as turkeys 23 local water projects totaling $19 million and asked Gov. Rick Scott to veto them. The governor eventually vetoed $12.6 million in water projects. Other items were targeted as turkeys including appropriations for wildlife and state parks groups.

Reservoirs language stripped from federal bill while Florida groups support alternative approach

by Bruce Ritchie - 1 week ago - +
The Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint river system helps support the seafood industry in Apalachicola Bay. File map from the Atlanta Regional Commission. Florida officials were supporting language that would require congressional approval for water withdrawals from reservoirs including Lake Lanier in Georgia. Some groups are backing an alternative proposal that they say would require adequate flows for Apalachicola River and Bay.

Foundation will direct $356 million from oil spill criminal cases to Florida for natural resource projects

by Bruce Ritchie - 1 week ago - +
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation announced the establishment of the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund and allocations Monday to five Gulf states. The fund is one of at least three pots of money available for projects in Florida.

Federal EPA denies groups' petitions challenging 2 top Florida DEP officials

by Bruce Ritchie - 1 week ago - +
The EPA said there was insufficient information to determine whether DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. was disqualified and that the two-year period for review has expired. Photo by Bruce Ritchie. Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and the Clean Water Network filed a petition in February 2011 asking the federal agency to investigate conflicts of interest by DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. "It is apparent that EPA pursued this violation with the vigor of a wet noodle," said Jerry Phillips, Florida PEER director.

2013 Session Summary: Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture

by LobbyTools - 2 weeks ago - +
Cat colonies and coal ash, fracking and fertilizer. The 2013 legislative session was surprisingly active on the environmental front with old battles being waged and new issues emerging. Some issues will still be fought out in the weeks ahead as groups seek vetoes of bills that were passed. But compromise reigned on other issues as old adversaries united in the end to advance legislation.

Florida Supreme Court declines to hear case involving sanctions against environmental groups

by Bruce Ritchie - 2 weeks ago - +
The 1st District Court of Appeal in a Martin County land-use case ordered that an administrative judge impose legal fees and sanctions against 1000 Friends of Florida and the Martin County Conservation Alliance. But in dissent, Judge William A. Van Nortwick Jr. said the erroneous standard used to impose sanctions "will create a precedent that will severely chill" those who seek appeals.

Environmental representatives lament budget for land-buying, question outcome of land sales

by Bruce Ritchie - 2 weeks ago - +
The $74.5 billion budget approved by the Legislature includes $70 million for land acquisition, including $50 million from the sale of state lands. "It takes a significant amount of time to review parcels that are identified as potentially surplus," said Janet Bowman of The Nature Conservancy.

The Week Ahead for May 6 to May 13

by Florida Current Staff - 2 weeks ago - +
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection holds a rule adoption hearing on the statewide environmental resource permit and the Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in the Legislature's request to throw out a challenge to the Senate districts the Legislature created in 2012.

Senate, House agree on permitting legislation despite groups' sustained opposition

by Bruce Ritchie - 3 weeks ago - +
Photographers on the House floor gather and focus on Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, as he explains the Senate action on his HB 999 permitting bill before the House voted to concur. Disparaged by environmentalists even though "the worst sect
The Florida Chamber of Commerce says HB 999 is among the bills that will make Florida more competitive economically. But environmentalists still didn't like it after getting fertilizer and wetlands language removed. "It's still a collection of bad ideas," said Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida.

Arrivals and Departures for May 3, 2013

by Florida Current Staff - 2 weeks ago - +

Senate strips language dealing with wetlands, fertilizer ordinances from permitting bill

by Bruce Ritchie - 3 weeks ago - +

LobbyTools is seeking talent

by LobbyTools - 3 weeks ago - +

Nuclear bill passes House, returns to Senate as critic says legislation was "hijacked"

by Bruce Ritchie - 3 weeks ago - +

Permitting bill facing opposition from environmental groups looks to change in Senate

by Bruce Ritchie - 3 weeks ago - +

Water bills stream through House, flow towards governor

by Bruce Ritchie - 3 weeks ago - +
2013 Session Summaries

Budget & Taxes

Economic Development

Education

Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture

Ethics and Elections

Gaming

Health Care

Insurance

Law Enforcement and Justice

Real Estate and Growth Management

State and Local Administration

Utilities and Energy

Popular Environment and Natural Resources News
Water district leader submits resignation letter
(Sun-Sentinel)
Monster python killed in South Florida
(Sun-Sentinel)
Public can review plans for 13 Florida species
(Sarasota Herald Tribune)
Fla. gov, FEMA chief address hurricane conference
(Miami Herald)
Lawmakers Wrap Up Work on Everglades Bill
(Lakeland Ledger)
New Interior chief visits Glades
(Miami Herald)
Panhandle lawmaker works to limit environmental rules
(Tampa Bay Times)
Legislators In The News
Rep Will W. Weatherford
Rep Will W. Weatherford
(R Wesley Chapel)
Sen Alan Hays
Sen Alan Hays
(R Umatilla)
Sen Don Gaetz (D)
Sen Don Gaetz (D)
(R Niceville)
Rep Karen Castor Dentel
Rep Karen Castor Dentel
(D Maitland)
Sen Aaron Bean
Sen Aaron Bean
(R )
Sen Geraldine F. Thompson
Sen Geraldine F. Thompson
(D )
Rep Elaine Schwartz
Rep Elaine Schwartz
(D Hollywood)
Rep Lori Berman
Rep Lori Berman
(D Lantana)
Rep Jimmie T. Smith (J)
Rep Jimmie T. Smith (J)
(R Inverness)
Rep Ben Albritton
Rep Ben Albritton
(R Wauchula)