Representatives of Florida cities and counties were warned Tuesday that there may not be state grant money again this year for their park and open space purchases.The Florida Communities Trust (FCT) program in 2008 received $63 million for matching grants with cities and counties. But the program didn't process grant applications last year after the Legislature provided no money for the Florida
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Powerful restaurant and hotel group says don't take up drilling
Posted on 09:09 by Unknown
The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association is opposing offshore oil and gas drilling and is asking the Legislature not to take up the issue before the session ends on April 30.The House Select Policy Council on Strategic & Economic Planning is expected has been holding hearings on drilling and is expected to consider possible draft legislation next week. SB 2622 by Sen. Mike Haridopolos,
Snapper season reduced but catch increased
Posted on 06:04 by Unknown
Anglers from Gulf states including Florida will be allowed to catch more red snapper this year but must do so during shortened season under a new federal proposal.Federal snapper and grouper restrictions have become a political hot-button issue as commercial fishing groups and recreational anglers have protested restrictions imposed to end overfishing under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Monday, 29 March 2010
Bill would make shoreline fishing free again
Posted on 11:01 by Unknown
Florida last year for the first time began requiring residents to purchases licenses to fish from the shoreline, docks and jetties. Residents could either buy a saltwater fishing license for $17, which allows them to fish from boats or the shoreline, or buy the shoreline-only permit for $7.50.As of Feb. 28, 59,530 of the shoreline permits have been sold. But now the Senate is considering a bill (
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Mega water bill clears its first stop
Posted on 05:26 by Unknown
A comprehensive bill, dubbed the "mega-water bill" by one senator, received approval from the Senate Committee on Environmental Preservation and Conservation Tuesday despite a variety concerns raised by groups.The bill, SB 550, sponsored by Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs and committee chairman, would establish septic tank utilities statewide, create a state financing mechanism for
Monday, 22 March 2010
Damage, restoration of Florida waters discussed by authors
Posted on 18:23 by Unknown
Florida needs to change the way it manages and uses water in the future as it repairs the mistakes of the past, a panel of environmental book authors suggested on Saturday.The panel at the Tallahassee Festival of Books and Writers Conference featured Cynthia Barnett, Doug Alderson and Michael Grunwald.Barnett, author of "Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U. S.," said Florida
Friday, 19 March 2010
Biomass supporters knock opponents as projects face hurdles
Posted on 08:24 by Unknown
An artist's rendering of the planned Adage LLC plant in Hamilton County, which received a state air permit in January.As biomass energy supporters complain of opposition to some biomass projects around the state, a company that was proposing to build two in north Florida withdrew its permit application for one in Gadsden County.Biomass power, which converts wood, crops or waste to energy, is
Thursday, 18 March 2010
House panel approves innovative energy program
Posted on 09:09 by Unknown
The House Energy and Utilities Policy Committee on Wednesday voted to introduce a bill that would allow local governments to finance individual renewable-energy, conservation and wind-resistance projects at homes and businesses.Committee Republicans and Democrats alike praised the idea of the proposed "Property Assessed Clean Energy" program (PACE). Under the program, local governments can
Friday, 12 March 2010
Senate panel recommends springs action
Posted on 14:05 by Unknown
Ichetucknee Springs State ParkA Senate panel is recommending that the Legislature consider establishing local septic tank utilities across the state to protect water quality.Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-Palm Beach, established the Senate Select Committee on Florida's Inland Waters in October and named Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, to chair it. The committee held six hearings
Marine waters planning needed to avoid conflicts, panelists say
Posted on 05:25 by Unknown
Coastal and Marine Resources Assessment PrototypeStates, industries and scientists should work together to plan for the management and use of natural resources in oceans, panelists at a Florida Oceans Day workshop said Wednesday.A proposal to allow oil drilling in state waters in the Gulf of Mexico is being crafted by the House Select Policy Council on Strategic & Economic Planning despite
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Bronson knocks Florida Forever after Cabinet purchase
Posted on 18:06 by Unknown
University of Florida botany students conduct a field trip along Prairie Creek in FebruaryThe governor and Cabinet approved the purchase of a 506-acre addition to Paynes Prairie State Preserve State Park near Gainesville and a new Florida Forever conservation land-buying list.Florida Forever is the largest land-buying program in the nation, with 2.4 million acres purchased by the state since 1990
Monday, 8 March 2010
Report questions potential of biomass energy production
Posted on 05:19 by Unknown
From the Florida TribuneA new report analyzing the potential of Florida's forests to help produce electricity could raise further doubts aboutproposed state goals to increase renewable energy.The Legislature in 2008 adopted a comprehensive energy bill that directed state agencies to study the economic effects of providing financial incentives for biomass energy production from trees or waste
Friday, 5 March 2010
Thousands of contamination sites could be removed from cleanup list
Posted on 05:10 by Unknown
Underground petroleum tanks are being replaced at a convenience store in Tallahassee.From the Florida Tribune:The chairmen of key House and Senate committees have filed bills that supporters hope could lead to the removal of hundreds or thousands of low-risk petroleum contamination sites from the state's cleanup list.The two measures - HB 1385 and SB 2592 - would allow 4,985 contamination site
Wednesday, 3 March 2010
DEP holding back on cap-and-trade -- for now
Posted on 04:24 by Unknown
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection won't ask the Legislature to approve a proposed carbon cap-and-trade rule in the legislative session that began yesterday, according to DEP Secretary Michael Sole.Gov. Charlie Crist in 2007 directed DEP to develop a carbon emissions trading rule for electric utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that scientists say contribute to climate
Monday, 1 March 2010
Oil drilling backer drops lobbying corps
Posted on 05:37 by Unknown
Florida Energy Associates, one of the primary backers of the push to open Florida waters to oil drilling last year, recently trimmed its lobbying force to zero after having more than 30 last year. The House last year voted 70-43 to open Florida waters within three miles of the coast to drilling, but the bill was never taken up by the Senate. Florida Energy Associates, with largely undisclosed
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