Good news for Wood Storks in South Florida!

Endangered wood storks nesting in Fred George Basin, Leon County.

Environmental groups achieve wetland protections in settlement of two lawsuits near Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
By Aislinn Maestas
National Wildlife Federation

A coalition of five environmental groups, including National Wildlife Federation and Florida Wildlife Federation, has settled two lawsuits in exchange for significantly increased wetland and habitat protections. The coalition has been opposing several proposed residential and golf projects in the ecologically important Cocohatchee Slough near Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Florida.

After over four years of litigation and several iterations of project permits, the environmental coalition and developer G.L. Homes of Sunrise, Florida, have agreed to over 200 additional acres of wetland impact reductions, restoration of endangered wood stork habitat, and relocation of Logan Boulevard onto old farm fields instead of through wetlands. This is in addition to $3 million of additional offsite mitigation secured in previous litigation on Saturnia Falls. Joining NWF and FWF in this victory are Audubon of Florida, Collier County Audubon Society, and Conservancy of Southwest Florida.

The settlement of these two federal lawsuits was preceded by other coalition legal actions at the state level challenging impacts to downstream water quality, flood protection and aquifer recharge, in addition to wetland and wildlife harm. All these water resource factors will benefit greatly from the significantly increased levels of wetland protection and restoration in this settlement.

In addition to these very positive results for wood storks and other imperiled species plus water resources, the same environmental coalition had earlier in October 2009 won a federal lawsuit against another residential golf course project called Mirasol which would destroy over 600 acres of unique wetlands in the same Cocohatchee Slough which emanates from Corkscrew Swamp. That is well over twice the acreage of wetlands destroyed on Parklands Collier and Saturnia Falls combined. In that decision a Southern District Court judge revoked Mirasol’s permit based on complaints over illegal wetland and wildlife impacts.

Jan Goldman-Carter, Water Resources Counsel for National Wildlife Federation, observed, “The revocation of the Mirasol permit offers another opportunity for the Army Corps and the South Florida Water Management District to require the avoidance of additional wetland, water and habitat impacts, additional protection, and true habitat restoration on the Mirasol site.”

Mirasol’s destruction of wetlands, combined with other wetland losses in the region, would have devastating effects on the wood stork nesting colonies at Corkscrew Swamp, the largest in the nation and vital to the species’ recovery. This cumulative destruction would also harm downstream water quality, flood protection, and water supply for the region.

Looking for opportunities to prevent further destruction of wetlands and habitat, the environmental groups are also working with state and federal agencies to improve the way they permit and compensate for wetland losses incurred when development is sited in Florida wetlands. Recommendations currently under consideration could significantly reduce or eliminate such impacts before the projects end up in court, wasting time and money, or worse, getting built and irrevocably destroying habitat for declining wildlife throughout Florida and harming the public’s interest in protection of vital water resources.



Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"

Florida environmental and wildlife news for the week ending 4-9-10

FEATURED STORIES

Crist links jobs, environment during Florida Forever rally

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

Related: Top 10 at-risk land purchase areas listed

Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday told a rally at the Capitol that the state's land-buying program is critical to the Florida's tourism economy.

Opportunity Knocks For FL Preservation

By Glen Gardner

Public News Service Florida

Those hoping to preserve quickly-vanishing wildlife habitat in Florida will be delivering a message at the State Capitol Wednesday, centering on the Forever Florida program, which is the largest land-buying program in the country.

Florida Supreme Court raises its own questions about Everglades land deal

By Andy Reid

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Related: Everglades land deals and Big Sugar battles head to Florida Supreme Court

After nearly two years of political fights and legal battles over Gov. Charlie Crist's Everglades-restoration land deal, the Florida Supreme Court now will decide whether the public benefit is worth the cost to South Florida taxpayers.

Momentum for renewable-energy legislation lacking

By Mary Ellen Klas

St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Tallahassee Bureau

In the last legislative session before his death, state Sen. Jim King tirelessly pushed for an energy compromise to reduce the amount of dirty fuel the state uses to produce electricity.

Committee bill would remove climate change language in state law

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

A proposed energy bill filed Wednesday by the House Energy & Utilities Committee appears to remove language in state law that addresses climate change and requires utilities to increase the amount of renewable energy they provide to customers.

Water bill squeaks out of committee amid opposition

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

SB 550, dubbed the "mega-water bill" that includes springs protection measures, barely passed a Senate committee on Tuesday after development groups raised concerns about its septic tank requirements.

Endangered wood storks.

THE BIG OIL ROUNDUP

The Big Oil roundup: news and information about Big Oil’s push to rig Florida’s coastline for the week ending 4-9-10:

160-Square-Mile Oil Spill Fouls Mississippi Delta Wildlife Refuge

Staff Report

Environment News Service

An 18,000 gallon spill of crude oil from a pipeline into the Delta National Wildlife Refuge has personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, the state of Louisiana, and the Cypress Pipe Line Company scrambling to contain the spreading mess.

Thousands of gallons of crude oil spill into Louisiana wildlife refuge

By Niki Fears

Environmental News Examiner

The Delta National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana is currently under threat from a recent pipe line disaster that has spilled at least 18,000 gallons of deadly crude oil into the waters of the wildlife refuge.

Spilled crude oil encroaching on Delta National Wildlife Refuge on the Louisiana coast. We want this here?

Obama Plan May Revive Offshore Oil

By Lloyd Dunkelberger

Lakeland Ledger

While it appeared a House Republican plan to open state waters to oil and gas exploration was not likely to happen this year, the proposal got an unexpected boost from a leading Democrat.

Obama's Offshore Drilling Pitch Sways Few Fence-Sitters on Climate Bill

By Mike Soraghan

New York Times

It's often said in Washington that if you anger both liberals and conservatives, you must be doing something right.

No-take fishing zone is 30 miles from proposed drilling buffer

By Kevin Wadlow

Florida Keys Keynoter

“This could come very close to the Dry Tortugas," said Mark Ferrulo, executive director of Progress Florida. "In terms of distance to the Keys, this is nothing."

Risks to Florida outweigh benefits of gulf drilling

By Paul Defenderefer

Panama City News Herald

I am deeply concerned about the possibility of oil drilling off Florida’s coastline.

Buchanan firm in drilling opposition

By Jeremy Wallace

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan is not budging in his opposition to oil drilling off Florida's Gulf Coast.

PolitiFact: Stearns' claim about Chinese oil drilling in Gulf of Mexico is half true

By Aaron Sharockman

St. Petersburg Times/Miami Herald Politifact

Longtime U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns, a proponent of increased oil and natural gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico, says drilling may be coming near Florida's shores whether we like it or not.

Obama lost me when he proposed oil drilling in the gulf

By Ernest Hooper

St. Petersburg Times

After President Barack Obama lauded my grandmother on election night, my wife theorized I would never criticize him.

Three Florida Democrats oppose offshore drilling

By Lesley Clark

Miami Herald

Related: White House says it will listen to Florida drilling critics

Florida Democrats have sent letters to President Barack Obama, protesting his plans to expand oil and gas drilling as close as 125 miles off Florida's coast.

Democrats from Florida oppose Obama's drilling plan

By Jim Turner

TC Palm

U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, and two other Florida Democratic members of Congress, have sent a letter to President Obama objecting to his plans to allow drilling off the state’s coastline.

Off-coast drilling threatens Florida economy and jobs

By Rep. Kathy Castor

The Hill

Drilling for oil off of Florida’s west coast beaches would be a serious threat to Florida’s economy and jobs.

PRO AND CON: Energy independence or slaves to Big Oil?

By David Batt and Dave Rauschkolb

Destin Log

Florida is on the brink of decisions that could forever endanger our clean waters, our clean beaches and our valuable tourism-based economy.

Offshore Drilling and Florida's Gulf: How Much Oil Is There?

By Scott Finn

WUSF Public Radio Tampa

In the long-running debate over offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, one question always comes up: how much oil and gas is really out there?

Castor says Florida 'too special' for offshore oil drilling

By Alex Leary

St. Petersburg Times

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, today sent a letter to President Obama objecting to his plan for more offshore oil drilling in Florida, saying the area is "too special" to risk environmental damage.

FRLA opposes oil exploration

By Carol Dover

Tampa Bay News Weekly

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association is closely monitoring legislation filed by both the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives on the issue of oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico.

Look at drilling's cost

By Walter C. Brown III

Daytona Beach News-Journal

From the standpoint of someone that has worked on oil-field supply vessels, it is not the platforms that worry me as much as the support systems that are needed onshore: The fuel docks, the storage facilities for drill-pipe, drill mud, etc.

Humans are the risk in drilling

Editorial

Pensacola News Journal

Related editorial: Drilling plan a loser

The Orlando Sentinel recently took a close look at the Australian drilling rig that blew out last August in the Timor Sea, leaked oil for more than two months and dumped millions of gallons of crude. It's a cautionary tale for Florida.

Drilling in Gulf makes no sense

Editorial

Highlands County News Sun

The debate over off-shore drilling is a real concern for Florida, especially since tourists flock here for a view of the beaches, not the oil rigs.

The drilling mistake

Editorial

Florida Today

The 72 miles of coast where Brevard County meets the sea is the heart of our community’s quality of life.

Map of areas to be opened for offshore oil and gas exploration and drilling under newly unveiled Obama administration proposal.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Write Your State Senator: Big Oil's Promises Are "Empty"

Big Oil and their hired hands in Tallahassee have sworn that drilling Florida’s coast would be “invisible” – that there would be no unsightly rigs just a few miles off our coast. We know different – and a recent eye opening story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune has proven Big Oil’s promises completely “empty.” Click the picture above – keeping the pressure on by letting our State Senators know people like you are paying attention is how we’ll beat Big Oil.

ACTIONS OPPOSING OBAMA’S DRILLING PLAN
President Obama, Drilling Is Not the Answer, via Friends of the Earth.
Tell President Obama You Oppose Offshore Oil Drilling, via Endangered Species Coalition.
Don’t Sacrifice the Oceans in the Name of Climate Change, via Oceana.
MORE ONLINE ACTIONS
Pass a Resolution To Protect Florida's Beaches Now, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend against offshore drilling within any previously protected coastal waters, via Defenders of Wildlife.
Tell Obama: Offshore Drilling is NOT the Answer to Energy Crisis, via Oceana.
Help Drill for Solutions Not for Oil, via Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Let us decide! Petition to Governor Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, and House Speaker Larry Cretul, via Civic Concern.
Contact Your Officials About New Drilling Off Florida's Coasts, via Civic Concern.
Ask your state legislators to keep the rigs out, via Save the Manatee Club.
Write a letter to the editor, via Audubon of Florida.
Write your state legislators, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge Senate President Jeff Atwater to oppose offshore oil drilling, via Progress Florida.
Tell Sen. Atwater Not To Allow Oil Drilling In Special Session, via Audubon of Florida.
Sign the petition against oil drilling, via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Tell Salazar: No drilling off Florida's Coast, via Environment Florida.
Tell new Senator LeMieux to Repower America, via Environment Florida.
Related action: Don't go drill crazy in the Everglades, via Center for Biological Diversity.
Related action: Keep oil drilling out of climate change legislation, via Oceana.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF NOTE
Hands Across The Sand website; their Twitter page is here.
Protect Florida’s Beaches, recently launched coalition website.
Protect Florida’s Beaches on Facebook.
Think, Baby, Think blog via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Don’t Drill Florida website.
Don’t Drill Florida Facebook page.
Save Our Shores Florida website; their Twitter page is here.
Floridians Against Big Oil social network.
Save Our Shores Florida Facebook page.
Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition website.
Environment Florida offshore drilling page.
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy offshore drilling page.
Skytruth blog, an excellent source of info.
Not the Answer blog, courtesy Surfrider Foundation.
Eye-opening map of oil and gas leases and infrastructure in Gulf of Mexico, via MMS.
EnergyFLA.com, online hub of drilling proponents; their Twitter page is here.

MORE GREEN NEWS

Concern raised over nuclear waste storage at Turkey Point

By John Dorschner

Miami Herald

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has called a special meeting next week to discuss three apparent violations involving a spent-fuel pool at Turkey Point -- a critical issue as the long-held plans for storing waste in Nevada have collapsed.

Sugar deal's sour politics; biggest critic has self-interest at heart

By Joel Engelhardt

Palm Beach Post

In 2008, before Florida Crystals began to criticize the U.S. Sugar land deal, the company offered to be part of it.

Groups ask DEP to delay new waterway classification

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

Environmental groups are asking the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to delay approval of a new stream classification system.

Key chairman says there is still time for DCA

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

The chairman of a key House council said Tuesday there is plenty of time in the legislative session to approve a bill that would reauthorize the Florida Department of Community Affairs.

Rare photo shows mother Florida panther and two kittens

Submitted by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Naples News

A rare photograph taken last month of a Florida panther and her two kittens is making the e-mail rounds among wildlife biologists and conservation partners who have toiled for decades to restore the big cat’s habitat.

FPL opens solar plant

By Wayne T. Price

Florida Today

The solar energy center at the Kennedy Space Center could -- and should -- be one of many throughout Florida, Florida Power & Light President and Chief Executive Officer Armando Olivera said Thursday.

Not an Everglades setback: Judge leaves room for U.S. Sugar deal to proceed

Editorial

Palm Beach Post

U.S. District Judge Federico Moreno seemingly dealt a significant setback to Gov. Crist's plan to buy U.S. Sugar land for Everglades restoration.

Growth watchdog in danger

Editorial

Palm Beach Post

Developers believe it's too hard to exploit Florida's natural resources to build whatever they want.

Critically endangered Florida Panther and cubs.

Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"

Florida environmental and wildlife news for the week ending 3-26-10

FEATURED STORIES

Senate bill would cut back on environmental permitting process

By John Frank and Craig Pittman

St. Petersburg Times

A little-noticed jobs bill being considered by the Legislature calls for streamlining environmental regulations to the point where some development projects of up to 40 acres wouldn't need state or local permits at all.

Renewed Support for an Everglades Land Deal, but Cost Is Still in Question

By Damien Cave

New York Times

Gov. Charlie Crist reaffirmed his commitment this week to the $536 million purchase of 73,000 acres of land from United States Sugar, declaring that it would heal both the Everglades and the coastal estuaries that are vital to Florida’s tourist economy.

Florida water managers weigh cuts, selloffs to finance U.S. Sugar deal

By Curtis Morgan

Miami Herald

With the odds of borrowing a half-billion bucks growing dicey, water managers are exploring new ways to finance Gov. Charlie Crist's deal with the U.S. Sugar Corp. -- a controversial land buy the governor stood firmly behind Thursday during a South Florida visit.

Death of coral reefs could devastate nations

By Brian Skoloff

The Associated Press

Coral reefs are dying, and scientists and governments around the world are contemplating what will happen if they disappear altogether.

Fishermen, activists at loggerheads on turtle change

By Jim Waymer

Florida Today

Federal biologists say loggerhead sea turtles could go extinct in the "foreseeable future."

Truth and hysteria about Hometown Democracy

By Howard Troxler

St. Petersburg Times

A bunch of Greek guys started a political debate 2,500 years ago that we're still fighting about.

Is St. Pete Beach a valid case study for Amendment 4?

Staff Report

St. Petersburg Times Politifact

A group fighting a statewide ballot initiative that would give voters direct say on land use decisions says people need look no further than the disastrous results of a similar initiative in tiny St. Pete Beach.

Stop developers' handout

Editorial

Miami Herald

Suddenly, a new strip mall turns up two blocks away from your home. What about public notices? Permit hearings? Not needed any more if the Florida Senate gets its way.

Florida sprawl – where will it end? Vote YES on Amendment 4!

THE BIG OIL ROUNDUP

The Big Oil roundup: news and information about Big Oil’s push to rig Florida’s coastline for the week ending 3-26-10:

Gulf drilling bill not a priority

By Michael Peltier

News Service of Florida

Related editorial: Access to federal waters may be the real goal of legislative proponents

Florida lawmakers will vote on a bill to expand oil and gas exploration in the Gulf of Mexico, but it may not be this session, a key House drilling advocate said Friday.

House will float oil-drilling bill

By Jim Ash

Tallahassee Democrat

The Florida House will roll out an oil-drilling bill in two weeks, Speaker-designate and chief proponent Dean Cannon said Friday.

Oil drilling off our shores: Dean Cannon, we’ve come to know ye

By Cathy Harrelson

Creative Loafing Tampa

After concluding the House’s final workshop on the exploration of oil and gas drilling off Florida coasts on Friday, Rep. Dean Cannon (R-Winter Park) outlined three areas he expects the House bill to include when it is released in two weeks.

A New Report Outlines How Much Oil Is In Florida Waters Off The Gulf Of Mexico (audio interview)

By Robert Lorei

WMNF Community Radio Tampa

Next up- Frank Alcock is a professor of political science at New College in Sarasota. He teaches about, among other things, sustainable development.

On The Mark - Oil and tourism: Not a good mix

By Mark Strain

Naples News

It is surprising how quickly some Floridians are willing to reduce their standards if there’s money involved.

Commission dumps drilling resolution

Staff Report

St. Augustine Record

A city resolution Monday night to add St. Augustine to a long list of cities and counties opposing offshore oil drilling failed for lack of support.

Offshore Drilling Revenue Sharing Takes Hold in Senate Climate Bill

By Mike Soraghan, Darren Samuelsohn and Katherine Ling

New York Times

Coastal states that agree to oil and gas drilling off their shores would be offered one-quarter of the revenue, under the latest draft of the new climate and energy bill, sources on and off the Hill say.

10 Senate Democrats oppose climate bill if it expands coastal drilling

By Renee Schoof

Miami Herald

Ten Senate Democrats from coastal states warned in a letter released Thursday that they won't support a climate and energy bill if it permits a big expansion of drilling for offshore oil and natural gas.

Florida should forget about drilling in gulf

Editorial

St. Petersburg Times

Drilling off Florida's coast won't increase America's independence from foreign oil, lower gasoline prices or raise billions of dollars annually for the state.

Words of wisdom

Editorial

Pensacola News Journal

Listening to the U.S. Navy has always paid off for Northwest Florida, where our economy has been buffered from the worst of the recession by stable military spending.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Write Your State Senator: Big Oil's Promises Are "Empty"

Big Oil and their hired hands in Tallahassee have sworn that drilling Florida’s coast would be “invisible” – that there would be no unsightly rigs just a few miles off our coast. We know different – and a recent eye opening story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune has proven Big Oil’s promises completely “empty.” Click the picture above – keeping the pressure on by letting our State Senators know people like you are paying attention is how we’ll beat Big Oil.

MORE ONLINE ACTIONS
Pass a Resolution To Protect Florida's Beaches Now, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend against offshore drilling within any previously protected coastal waters, via Defenders of Wildlife.
Tell Obama: Offshore Drilling is NOT the Answer to Energy Crisis, via Oceana.
Help Drill for Solutions Not for Oil, via Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Let us decide! Petition to Governor Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, and House Speaker Larry Cretul, via Civic Concern.
Contact Your Officials About New Drilling Off Florida's Coasts, via Civic Concern.
Ask your state legislators to keep the rigs out, via Save the Manatee Club.
Write a letter to the editor, via Audubon of Florida.
Write your state legislators, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge Senate President Jeff Atwater to oppose offshore oil drilling, via Progress Florida.
Tell Sen. Atwater Not To Allow Oil Drilling In Special Session, via Audubon of Florida.
Sign the petition against oil drilling, via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Tell Salazar: No drilling off Florida's Coast, via Environment Florida.
Tell new Senator LeMieux to Repower America, via Environment Florida.
Related action: Don't go drill crazy in the Everglades, via Center for Biological Diversity.
Related action: Keep oil drilling out of climate change legislation, via Oceana.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF NOTE
Hands Across The Sand website; their Twitter page is here.
Protect Florida’s Beaches, recently launched coalition website.
Protect Florida’s Beaches on Facebook.
Think, Baby, Think blog via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Don’t Drill Florida website.
Don’t Drill Florida Facebook page.
Save Our Shores Florida website; their Twitter page is here.
Floridians Against Big Oil social network.
Save Our Shores Florida Facebook page.
Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition website.
Environment Florida offshore drilling page.
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy offshore drilling page.
Skytruth blog, an excellent source of info.
Not the Answer blog, courtesy Surfrider Foundation.
Eye-opening map of oil and gas leases and infrastructure in Gulf of Mexico, via MMS.
EnergyFLA.com, online hub of drilling proponents; their Twitter page is here.

MORE GREEN NEWS

The future of water availability and desalination in Florida

By Sean Kinane

WMNF Community Radio Tampa

Yesterday was World Water Day.

New EPA rules label a dozen more Collier, Lee waterways as polluted, analysis shows

By Eric Staats

Naples News

More Southwest Florida streams and canals would violate water quality standards under a proposal by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to limit pollution in Florida waters, according to a Naples Daily News analysis.

State spending $650,000 for sensors to alert U.S. 41 drivers panthers may be near

By Eric Staats

Naples News

As U.S. 41 runs through the Big Cypress National Preserve, the rural highway crosses a natural pathway that is a favorite route for endangered Florida panthers – with deadly results.

Damage, restoration of Florida waters discussed by authors

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

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.

With growth management vote coming, St. Johns has become focal point

By David Hunt

Florida Times-Union

In the debate over Florida growth management, a spotlight is shining on St. Johns County.

Amendment 4 forum … the short form

By Scott Maxwell

Orlando Sentinel

In today's edition of the Friday Files, we take a look at which politician took a free trip to Las Vegas, which one recently put himself up for bid and which one seems to be suffering from a bout of selective amnesia.

Helping Amendment 4: Interests that oppose it just don't learn

By Joel Engelhardt

Palm Beach Post

Hometown Democracy recognizes that, too often in Florida, the balance falls on the side of the powerful interests.

Bald eagles, plastic bags don't mix - especially in Bonita Springs

By Tara E. McLaughlin

Naples News

The bald eagle, a symbol of the United States, has become for some in Bonita Springs a reason to oppose plastic grocery bags.

Endangered whale birth photos taken near Navy site

By Russ Bynum

The Associated Press

Biologists conducting a survey for the U.S. military said Tuesday they photographed an endangered right whale giving birth near a proposed Navy training range offshore of Georgia and Florida.

Area mayors agree: Cities must cooperate to avoid water crisis

By Bob Koslow

Daytona Beach News-Journal

Having enough water at reasonable rates and economic development to provide quality jobs emerged as the priorities for the six mayors of west Volusia County gathered Thursday night at Stetson University.

Federal ban on python imports would hurt pet trade, critics say

By William E. Gibson

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

A proposed ban on the sale and importation of pythons and other constrictive snakes threatens the livelihood of thousands of pet shops and breeders, Congress was told on Tuesday.

"Jobs" bill really eases limits on growth

Editorial

St. Petersburg Times

When Gov. Charlie Crist caved in to developers last year and eviscerated Florida's growth management laws, he pledged to push the Legislature this year to create a new fee to help pay for roads to accommodate new development.

Keep growth management agency

Editorial

Tampa Tribune

Last session, Florida Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham was able to fend off insidious efforts to either abolish the growth management agency or pare its scope.

Editorial cartoon by Jim Morin, Miami Herald

Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"

Florida environmental and wildlife news for the week ending 3-19-10

FEATURED STORIES

Wildlife 2060: In the next 50 years..What's at stake for Florida?

FWC

Foster Folly News

Nevertheless, like the storybook tortoise, development plods on. And as the hare did, Floridians could learn a lesson from the resolute, slow-moving turtle.

‘Hometown Democracy’ foes offer bogus arguments

By Lauren Ritchie

Orlando Sentinel

you don't have to sort through confusing wording of two competing constitutional amendments — one that would give you absolute power to limit or grant huge developments and a second that was just developers in a tree-hugger's Birkenstocks.

Amendment 4 for livability

By Lesley Blackner

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Amendment 4 isn't on the ballot until November, but our opposition is already in overdrive.

4 or against? There’s more to Hometown Democracy than environment vs. sprawl

By Kate Bradshaw

Creative Loafing Tampa

He approaches the podium in a black turtleneck.

Bill would overhaul Florida water laws

By Kevin Spear

Orlando Sentinel

Virtually every important aspect of water in Florida, from tap to toilet and from storm runoff to bubbling spring, has a place in sweeping legislation unveiled Wednesday by state Sen. Lee Constantine.

Less than three months in, 2010 manatee deaths set annual record

By Karen Voyles

Ocala Star-Banner

Three months into 2010, Florida already has set an annual record for manatee deaths, and the number is expected to continue rising.

Deathly cold: Frigid temps kill record number of manatees

By Eric Staats

Naples Daily News

The largest manatee die-off ever recorded in Florida is playing out in the state’s backwaters and bays this winter.

Information Key to FL Panther Survival

By Glen Gardner

Public News Service Florida

There are only some 100 Florida panthers left in the state, and public awareness may be the key to their long-term survival.

Loggerhead turtles have chance at protection

By Kate Spinner

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Science showing steep declines in the number of loggerhead sea turtles may not be enough for the animal to achieve endangered status under federal law.

Charter committee strikes compromise on environmental standards

By Jeff Burlew

Tallahassee Democrat

Leon County's charter-review committee backed away from a proposal to allow county environmental ordinances to prevail over city ordinances in all instances.

Wood stork fledglings nesting in Fred George Basin, Leon County.

THE BIG OIL ROUNDUP

The Big Oil roundup: news and information about Big Oil’s push to rig Florida’s coastline for the week ending 3-19-10:

Atwater Indicates Drilling Bill Will Be a Tough Sell

By Keith Laing

News Service of Florida

Senate President Jeff Atwater said Monday that the debate on oil drilling in Florida waters should be shaped by a recent report that said that new drilling would "have no discernible impact" on gas prices.

Commission: no strong case for drilling off Florida

By Jeremy Wallace

Sarasota Herald-Tribune

Opening Florida's Gulf Coast to oil drilling would have almost no impact on prices at the pump or on the state's ongoing budget problems, a nonpartisan commission told a key committee of the Legislature on Monday.

Drilling report's conclusions disappoint both sides

By Jim Ash

Tallahassee Democrat

With its chief proponent saying he is in no hurry, the push to open Florida waters to oil and gas drilling inched past another milestone Monday when a House panel was briefed on a report by a Florida think tank.

Study: Drilling debate over state’s Gulf waters has wider implications

By Kevin Spear

Orlando Sentinel

Florida's debate over whether to open its narrow strip of waters in the Gulf of Mexico to offshore drilling is really about a much bigger decision, according to a report done for the state Legislature.

Florida oil: not so much, not so bad?

By Howard Troxler

St. Petersburg Times

Related: Collins Center Report

Last year, when some in our Legislature wanted to throw open Florida's waters to oil drilling right away, the president of our state Senate slowed it down.

New map suggests coastal residents aren't buying off-shore drilling concept

WTXL ABC News Tallahassee

A new map recently released, suggests residents near the coast aren't buying the concept of off-shore drilling.

The fight against nearshore oil drilling in Florida isn’t nearly over

By Cathy Harrelson

Creative Loafing Tampa

The last year could be considered a success in local environmental activism.

Renewable Energy is Florida's Best Bet for Economic and Environmental Security, Not Offshore Drilling

Staff Report

Audubon of Florida

Be in Tallahassee March 22nd and 23rd to voice your concerns about this urgent issue.

When it comes to the drilling debate, what we already have in hand is worth protecting

By Brian Haugen

Destin Log

You’ve heard the old phrase “one in the hand, two in the bush”?

The Trouble with Offshore Drilling

By Regan Nelson

Natural Resources Defense Council

Last Friday, NRDC released this statement in response to the recent energy report issued by the National Commission on Energy Policy (NCEP).

TAKE ACTION NOW

Write Your State Senator: Big Oil's Promises Are "Empty"

Big Oil and their hired hands in Tallahassee have sworn that drilling Florida’s coast would be “invisible” – that there would be no unsightly rigs just a few miles off our coast. We know different – and a recent eye opening story in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune has proven Big Oil’s promises completely “empty.” Click the picture above – keeping the pressure on by letting our State Senators know people like you are paying attention is how we’ll beat Big Oil.

MORE ONLINE ACTIONS

Pass a Resolution To Protect Florida's Beaches Now, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge President Obama’s Ocean Policy Task Force to recommend against offshore drilling within any previously protected coastal waters, via Defenders of Wildlife.
Tell Obama: Offshore Drilling is NOT the Answer to Energy Crisis, via Oceana.
Help Drill for Solutions Not for Oil, via Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Let us decide! Petition to Governor Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, and House Speaker Larry Cretul, via Civic Concern.
Contact Your Officials About New Drilling Off Florida's Coasts, via Civic Concern.
Ask your state legislators to keep the rigs out, via Save the Manatee Club.
Write a letter to the editor, via Audubon of Florida.
Write your state legislators, via Audubon of Florida.
Urge Senate President Jeff Atwater to oppose offshore oil drilling, via Progress Florida.
Tell Sen. Atwater Not To Allow Oil Drilling In Special Session, via Audubon of Florida.
Sign the petition against oil drilling, via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Tell Salazar: No drilling off Florida's Coast, via Environment Florida.
Tell new Senator LeMieux to Repower America, via Environment Florida.
Related action: Don't go drill crazy in the Everglades, via Center for Biological Diversity.
Related action: Keep oil drilling out of climate change legislation, via Oceana.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF NOTE
Hands Across The Sand website; their Twitter page is here.
Protect Florida’s Beaches, recently launched coalition website.
Protect Florida’s Beaches on Facebook.
Think, Baby, Think blog via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Don’t Drill Florida website.
Don’t Drill Florida Facebook page.
Save Our Shores Florida website; their Twitter page is here.
Floridians Against Big Oil social network.
Save Our Shores Florida Facebook page.
Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition website.
Environment Florida offshore drilling page.
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy offshore drilling page.
Skytruth blog, an excellent source of info.
Not the Answer blog, courtesy Surfrider Foundation.
Eye-opening map of oil and gas leases and infrastructure in Gulf of Mexico, via MMS.
EnergyFLA.com, online hub of drilling proponents; their Twitter page is here.

Cumulative oil slick "footprint" resulting from the 10-week Montara oil platform blowout and spill that occurred in the Timor Sea off Western Australia in 2009; superimposed on the Gulf coast of Florida for scale. More info here.

MORE GREEN NEWS

Judge shows impatience over Glades cleanup

By Curtis Morgan

Miami Herald

Eighteen months ago, the federal judge overseeing Everglades cleanup progress tentatively endorsed a state bid to buy sugar fields for restoration projects, calling the opportunity to ``buy out the polluters'' a logical solution to long-standing problems.

Palm Beach County questions costs of governor’s Everglades restoration land deal

By Andy Reid

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

The numbers for Gov. Charlie Crist's blockbuster Everglades land deal just aren't adding up for Palm Beach County officials worried about seeing local environmental projects sacrificed to help cover the $536 million cost.

Florida water managers weigh cuts, selloffs to finance U.S. Sugar land deal

By Curtis Morgan

Miami Herald

With the odds of borrowing a half-billion bucks growing dicey, water managers are exploring new ways to finance Gov. Charlie Crist's deal with the U.S. Sugar Corp. -- a controversial land buy the governor stood firmly behind Thursday during a South Florida visit.

Burning down: New energy source is running into trouble

By Bruce Ritchie

Florida Tribune

As biomass energy supporters complain of opposition to some biomass projects around the state, a company that is proposing to build two in north Florida has suspended work on one in Gadsden County.

Snake slaying was improper, wildlife officials say

By David Fleshler

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

A man who helped kill a Burmese python in front of journalists at a Hallandale Beach processing plant broke the rules governing the hunting of the non-native snakes in the Everglades, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Constantine’s recycling bill would boost reuse of solid waste to 75% by 2020

By Kevin Spear

Orlando Sentinel

State Sen. Lee Constantine's longtime goal of dramatically boosting the recycling of Florida's 32 million tons a year of trash is gaining momentum.

Cement Over Miami

By Kirk Nielsen

Poder 360

In the aggregate, the federal stewards of Everglades restoration are moving quickly to preserve wetland destruction for generations to come.

Sugar deal has turned sour

By Paula Dockery

Miami Herald

Friends of the Everglades were understandably excited when Florida Gov. Charlie Crist unveiled a $1.75 billion deal to buy out U.S. Sugar two years ago, effectively closing down a major polluter of the Everglades.

What's happening to pythons bagged in state-sanctioned hunt?

By David Fleshler

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

For some Burmese pythons captured in the Everglades, the end of the line is a building in a warehouse district of Hallandale Beach.

House proposes to overhaul PSC's structure

By Mary Ellen Klas

Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau

Florida's Public Service Commission would undergo a complete face lift under a draft House proposal released Tuesday that moves the commission's regulatory staff into a separate entity that answers to the Legislature and tightens qualifications for commissioners.

A Good Deal for the Everglades

Editorial

New York Times

The effort to restore Florida’s Everglades has been revived thanks to the efforts of President Obama and Florida’s Republican governor, Charlie Crist.

First Coast might need a drink of (river) water soon

By Steve Patterson

Florida Times-Union

State water managers and utilities, some offering determined resistance, are drafting long-term plans for taking drinking water from Northeast Florida’s rivers.

Limbaugh needs tutorial in turtle ways

By Frank Cerabino

Palm Beach Post

Rush Limbaugh's great at using satire to make a point.

Nicer weather raising chances of boaters, whales crossing paths

By Steve Patterson

Florida Times-Union

Jay Smaglis was on his boat with a friend last week, trying to do some reef fishing east of Jacksonville Beach, when a surprise rose up from the ocean.

At Jacksonville Superfund site, Nelson calls for tax shift to pay for cleanups

By Steve Patterson

Florida Times-Union

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson visited a long-vacant Superfund site on Jacksonville's Talleyrand riverfront Monday to say he will try to reinstate taxes on the oil and chemical industries to pay for environmental cleanups at the country's most contaminated places.

Marine waters planning needed to avoid conflicts, panelists say

By Bruce Ritchie

FloridaEnvironments.com

States, 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.

House OKs red tide study

Staff Report

Ft. Myers News-Press

Algae blooms that create red tide, which kill fish and threaten tourism in Florida, would become a focus of government study under legislation the House approved Friday.

Killing solar rebate program throws Florida into reverse

Editorial

Pensacola News Journal

When it comes to finding energy, the Legislature seems stuck in the past. It would rather talk about drilling for fossil fuels than lighting up Florida's future with renewable energy.

Politics and the environment

Editorial

Pensacola News Journal

Decades of environmental recklessness have left us depending on the political system to fix problems. And that often creates a bigger mess.

Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"