The Senate's budget chief says selling state land could help the Florida Forever land-buying program survive these lean budget times.A proposed Senate version of the 2011-12 state budget includes $308 million in spending authority for the program. But the money would have to come from the sale of land the state now owns.Florida has purchased more than 2 million acres since 1990 under Florida
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Sunday, 27 March 2011
Developers would determine "need" under proposed growth law rewrite
Posted on 08:24 by Unknown
Empty cul-de-sacs cover an area of Rotunda West in Charlotte County. See more of "Human Landscapes in SW Florida" at the Boston Globe web site. During a recent Cabinet meeting, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater summed up an important debate over growth management policy by relating it to the rapidly expanding Five Guys hamburger chain.Some Bay County residents had asked the Cabinet to deny a
Friday, 25 March 2011
Coley targets another section of last year's water quality bill
Posted on 04:32 by Unknown
Rep. Marti Coley has filed another bill to repeal a section of the SB 550 the water quality bill that passed the Legislature in 2010.SB 550 included a requirement that septic tanks statewide to be inspected every five years and it banned the spreading of septic tank waste on land in 2016.The Legislature in November voted to delay the septic tank inspection requirement after hearing from rural
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Some biomass energy projects stall as others remain viable
Posted on 15:14 by Unknown
Conceptual rendering of American Renewables' proposed plant in GainesvilleOfficials in the biomass energy industry say regulatory uncertainties continue to affect the development of new projects in Florida.As state officials continue to promote biomass as a source of energy that will create jobs in Florida, some projects remain in limbo while company officials say others remain viable. A company
Walton County bill raises statewide concerns for sea turtles
Posted on 02:43 by Unknown
Some environmentalists are asking the Legislature to take a closer look at a local bill for Walton County that could allow sea walls to remain in place without state permits.Following extensive beach erosion caused by Hurricane Dennis in 2005, Walton County authorized the construction of between 250 and 275 sea walls along 26 miles of beach, according to the Sea Turtle Conservancy. Sea walls can
Friday, 18 March 2011
State may have nearly 25,000 acres it doesn't need
Posted on 05:26 by Unknown
An initial review of state-owned lands has identified more than 24,000 acres that possibly could be exchanged or sold, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.Some legislators say the state has too much land and should sell some of it to generate revenue, raising concerns among environmentalists. But almost none of the 24,555 acres identified for possible sale was
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
Representatives scold DEP for voicing concerns on bill
Posted on 10:45 by Unknown
Bills that would streamline construction permitting and prohibit the state from enforcing federal water quality standards were passed out of a committee on Tuesday despite Florida Department of Environmental Protection concerns.HB 239 by Rep. Trudi Williams, R-Fort Myers, was filed in response to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency adopting specific limits for nitrogen and phosphorus in
Friday, 11 March 2011
Senators say septic tank inspections still needed
Posted on 06:22 by Unknown
Several senators on a committee Thursday objected to a proposed bill that would repeal a statewide septic tank inspection requirement.Last year's lawmakers mandated inspections every five years but it was met with an outcry from rural homeowners. The bill's supporters said the inspections of the state's estimated 2.7 million septic tanks were needed to protect springs and water quality.Sen.
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Governor skips Florida Forever rally, visits with Tea Party
Posted on 18:25 by Unknown
Gov. Rick Scott skipped a rally for the Florida Forever conservation land-buying program but attended a nearby "Tea Party" rally on the opening day of the legislative session.Florida Forever was the largest land-buying program in the nation from 1990 to 2008, when funding was reduced. Scott offered no money for the program in his 2010-11 budget recommendation.Scott told the Tea Party on the east
Monday, 7 March 2011
Environmental groups digging in for tough legislative session
Posted on 07:23 by Unknown
Environmental groups, which have become accustomed to playing defense in the Legislature for many years, are digging in for what could be an even tougher fight this year. The legislative session starts on Tuesday, March 8.There are bills filed to streamline environmental permitting, repeal a statewide septic tank inspection requirement and prohibit local governments from regulating fertilizer."
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Industry group challenges Everglades Foundation study
Posted on 05:45 by Unknown
One of the state's largest business groups is disputing an Everglades Foundation study in October that said the economic benefits of Everglades restoration would be at least $46.5 billion compared to the $11.5 billion cost of restoration work.Associated Industries of Florida on Wednesday released what it said were two independent peer review studies that it said debunked the Everglades Foundation
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Opponents of growth ballot measure take new aim at Florida enviro groups
Posted on 17:00 by Unknown
The group that led the opposition to the "Hometown Democracy" Amendment 4 last November said Tuesday that environmental groups continue to "wage a campaign of unchecked misinformation."Amendment 4, which was voted down by 67 percent of voters, would have required local voter approval of changes to comprehensive land use plans. Business groups, cities and counties opposed the measure, which was
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