Topic: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Springs supporters were stymied in efforts to get more money to protect north Florida springs but a powerful ally in the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee secured funding for the Everglades and Indian River Lagoon during the 2014 Legislative Session.

On the final day of the 2014 legislative session, several environmental bills are ready for a vote in the Senate. But in the House, the question remains whether the springs bill passed by the Senate will be heard. "It's got as good a shot as any bill that's coming over from the Senate," House Speaker Will Weatherford said, before mentioning that a two-thirds vote will be needed to hear it on the House floor.

The amendment by Rep. Carey Pigman, R-Sebring, would increase the number of balloons that can be released under state law from 10 to 100 but only for funerals, memorials and church events. "If we object to 100 balloons, then why do we allow a lot of what else happens?" Pigman said.

State agencies and various interests represented on a steering committee are working on an ambitious statewide plan to protect threatened and endangered species along beaches and avoid delays and legal fights over permitting. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service has put the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on notice that state permitting is vulnerable to legal challenges under the federal Endangered Species Act.

HB 7087 in 2013 directed the department to work with state wildlife officials to develop voluntary wildlife practices to help landowners avoid having to get permits. Some environmentalists support the concept but are concerned about whether landowner practices will be monitored. ... Related Research: Dec. 12, 2013 Proposed wildlife best management practices.

State officials have blamed drought and lack of water flowing from Alabama and Georgia in the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers for causing the decline in the bay's oyster population. Some seafood workers in Franklin County say they're looking for other jobs. ... Related Research: Nov. 15, 2013 FWC weekend closure announcement.

This week we learned that Citizens Property Insurance Corp. will now cover homes with prior sinkhole claims, that Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam wants tighter regulation of charities, and that it's starting to look a lot like a muddy race for governor.

Circuit Judge Jackie Fulford on Oct. 22 wrote that the 1994 constitutional amendment limiting the use of fishing nets and state rules had created a "legal absurdity" that was unfair to the fishermen. "I think lifting the stay in its entirety will unleash a war of epic proportions on this (mullet) population," Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Glogau said. ... Related Research: Records from the 1994 constitutional amendment and the latest legal challenge.

Elected officials' annual financial disclosures are due Tuesday, Gulf Power Co.'s rate increase request has two PSC hearings, State Rep. Janet H. Adkins holds a legislative hearing to discuss laws related to sexual offenders and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meets in Pensacola to discuss and take action on fisheries issues.

Last week, Gov. Rick Scott accused Georgia of not negotiating in good faith about water from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system. Georgia responded that it offered a water agreement but Florida never responded. Neither state, however, will release records or provide details about the talks, citing a federal judge's order from 2010 maintaining confidentiality in a court case.

This week the Dream Defenders ended a 31-day sit-in outside of the governor's office. Gov. Scott said Florida will sue Georgia over the amount of water in the Apalachicola River, an Auditor General's report found that many charter schools are unable to balance a budget and lobbyists reported their earnings for the second quarter.

The report, issued in May by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and sent Monday to federal officials, shifts blame for the oyster population collapse to upstream water use and management of federal reservoirs. Gov. Rick Scott chimed in, "The federal government has done the wrong thing there, and its has been devastating to the citizens there and devastating to the oyster industry." ... Related Research: Letter from FWCC to National Marine Fisheries Service.

This week we learned that the CFO of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. decided to hit the road, the a new poll has Gov. Rick Scott gaining ground on possible challenger Charlie Crist, and that Florida is tops -- in the unhappy distinction of foreclosures.

The governor's Chief Inspector General's Office starts its search for an inspector general for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. this week, DEP meets to consider rule development for petroleum cleanup sites, and a forum will be held in Jacksonville on the Silver Springs and the St. Johns River.