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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 1684 Environmental Regulation

SENATE Read Second Time; Amendments Withdrawn (823284, 283230, 729062, 643172, 817210); Substituted for HB 0999; Laid on Table, Refer to HB 0999

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

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

HOUSE Enrolled Text (ER) Filed

Topic: FL Dept. of Environmental Protection

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

by Bruce Ritchie - 2 days ago - +

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.

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

by Bruce Ritchie - 3 days 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 - 4 days 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 - 5 days 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 - 6 days 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.

Week in Review for May 10, 2013

by Florida Current Staff - 1 week ago - +

The Florida Current summarizes the 2013 legislative session as Democrats push Scott to call a special session for health care and environmental groups question whether the state can sell enough of its land to make the $70 million allocation for land acquisition to work.

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.

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

by Bruce Ritchie - 1 week 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.

Water bills stream through House, flow towards governor

by Bruce Ritchie - 2 weeks ago - +

Algae covers a portion of the St. Johns River in this photo from April 24 from the St. Johns Riverkeeper group. Lisa Rowe Rinaman of the group says algae blooms have been reported on the St. Johns north of Palatka covering 10 square miles and another

SB 1808 would ratify a deal between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency calling on the state to set nitrogen and phosphorus limits for waterways. The bill faced opposition from environmental groups but had support from business and farm groups along with cities and counties.

Budget agreement disappoints land-buying supporters, pleases beach project backers

by Bruce Ritchie - 2 weeks ago - +

Aucilla Sinks was purchased by the state around 2003 under the Florida Forever land-buying program. Photo by Bruce Ritchie

House and Senate budget negotiators on Sunday reached agreement on a $74.5 billion fiscal 2013-14 state budget. Cleanup contractors for petroleum contamination sites are concerned because there could be no funding for the program after June 30.

House favors land programs, Senate favors water projects in budget standoff

by Bruce Ritchie - 3 weeks ago - +

Sen. Alan Hays, left, and Rep. Ben Albritton share a light moment Monday before the start of a budget conference committee on agricultural and natural resources issues. Photo by Bruce Ritchie.

Budget negotiators remain apart on major issues while they plan to meet again Tuesday at 8 a.m. The House wants more for the Florida Forever land-buying program and for payments to agricultural landowners while the Senate wants nearly $72 million for water projects compared to $42 million that the House has offered to spend.

Senate petroleum tanks bill is dead, sponsor says, after being left off next week's committee agenda

by Bruce Ritchie - 4 weeks ago - +

SB 1416 was requested by the Department of Environmental Protection to allow competitive bidding on the cleanup of petroleum tank contamination sites. Sen. Greg Evers, bill sponsor, said the bill is dead after being left off the agenda next week for the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Hearing officer backs DEP employee who challenged draft permit, testified against bosses

by Bruce Ritchie - 5 weeks ago - +

An administrative law judge has backed DEP wetlands expert Connie Bersok's challenge to her bosses. File photo by Bruce Ritchie.

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.

Judge indicates he may rule against delay of federal water quality rules

by Bruce Ritchie - 5 weeks ago - +

In March, the federal EPA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection agreed on a plan for the state to propose new limits that would replace the federal water quality standards for lakes, springs and flowing downstream waters. With legislation moving in the House and Senate to support the plan, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle indicated he may oppose a federal delay request. ... Related Research: Various court documents.