Topic: Environmental Regulation & Permitting
DEP attorneys seek new hearing in permitting case involving employee who testified against bosses
by Bruce Ritchie - 1 day ago - +
Federal EPA denies groups' petitions challenging 2 top Florida DEP officials
by Bruce Ritchie - 5 days ago - +
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 - 1 week 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.
2013 Session Summary: Utilities and Energy
by LobbyTools - 1 week ago - +
Senate, House agree on permitting legislation despite groups' sustained opposition
by Bruce Ritchie - 2 weeks ago - +
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.
Senate strips language dealing with wetlands, fertilizer ordinances from permitting bill
by Bruce Ritchie - 2 weeks ago - +
HB 999 faces opposition from environmental groups and former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, D-Miami Lakes, but has support from business and industry groups. Environmental groups were particularly opposed to language banning local fertilizer ordinances and exempting local drainage districts from local wetlands regulations.
Permitting bill facing opposition from environmental groups looks to change in Senate
by Bruce Ritchie - 2 weeks ago - +
Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourne, noted Wednesday there is an amendment to remove the sections of SB 1684 dealing with wetlands and he said the fertilizer section in the House bill would be left out of his Senate bill. Former U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, D-Miami Lakes, was at the Capitol this week to lobby against the bill and its House companion, HB 999.
Permitting bill passes House despite continued environmental opposition
by Bruce Ritchie - 3 weeks ago - +
Senate passes water quality bill, House passes fertilizer amendment -- and Sierra Club slams both
by Bruce Ritchie - 3 weeks ago - +
The Senate passes SB 1808, which would help the Florida Department of Environmental Protection implement a water quality agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The House approved an amendment to HB 999 that would place a three-year moratorium on new local fertilizer ordinances beyond a state model ordinance.
HB 999 is a 'Christmas tree' with gifts some think don't belong in state law
by Bruce Ritchie - 4 weeks ago - +
Rep. Jimmy Patronis suggests his HB 999 provides a public service by forcing applicants and agencies to air their differences. But some think the bill deals with issues that don't belong in state law.
Permitting bill approved at final committee stop despite continued environmental opposition
by Bruce Ritchie - 4 weeks ago - +
Hearing officer backs DEP employee who challenged draft permit, testified against bosses
by Bruce Ritchie - 5 weeks ago - +
Connie Bersok was suspended from her job after she issued a memo objecting to a proposed permit for the Highlands Ranch LLC wetlands mitigation bank in Clay County. She was later cleared of wrongdoing and then testified against her bosses in November.
Permitting bills moving despite environmental opposition
by Bruce Ritchie - 5 weeks ago - +
Wide-ranging permit issues raise concerns about water supply, wetlands and pipeline permitting. Both SB 1684 and HB 999 passed committee stops on Monday but have more stops ahead.
Bllls to waive fees on development, cutting permitting review times pass House subcommittee
by Bruce Ritchie - 2 months ago - +
HB 321 would waive collection of development some fees for new development unless cities and counties opt out. HB 357 would cut the review times for permits in counties with state-designated programs to attract new manufacturing plants. ... Related Research: Amendment 306553 by Rep. Boyd to H 0357 - Relating to Manufacturing Development, and Amendment 704047 by Rep. La Rosa to H 0321 - Relating to Growth Management.
Bills pre-empting local regulation of agricultural tourism pass committees
by Bruce Ritchie - 2 months ago - +
Rep. Patronis is back with another permitting bill -- and some groups are not thrilled
by Bruce Ritchie - 3 months ago - +
2013 Session Outlook: Environment and Natural Resources
by Bruce Ritchie - 3 months ago - +
House committee bill addresses federal concerns about 2012 permit-streamlining bill
by Bruce Ritchie - 3 months ago - +
'Manufacturing Competitiveness Act' raises concerns among environmental groups
by Bruce Ritchie - 4 months ago - +
Bill returns that would extend permitting lengths for alternative water supply projects
by Bruce Ritchie - 4 months ago - +
2013 Session Summaries
Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture
Real Estate and Growth Management
Popular Environment and Natural Resources News
Legislators In The News
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