Florida environmental and wildlife news for the week ending 10-30-09

FEATURED STORIES

McCollum, Sink Agree on Funding for Florida Forever
By News Service of Florida
The Jacksonville Observer
For a mere $15 million, Florida lawmakers can secure $300 million for the state’s Florida Forever program, a bargain even during cash-strapped times, the top contenders to replace Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday in a bit of campaign camaraderie.

Study raises new red flag on coastal development
By Curtis Morgan
Miami Herald
As early as the 1980s, scientists warned that rising seas could submerge vast portions of Florida's coast.

Sen. Bennett chides DCA secretary over new growth management law
By Catherine Dolinski
Tampa Tribune
Mike Bennett, chairman of the Senate Committee on Community Affairs, was by no means pleased this month when state Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham told Bennett’s panel that a new growth management law hadn’t freed urban-area developers from transportation concurrency rules as lawmakers had expected.

Activists meet with feds over environmental racism
By Dionne Walker
Tampa Tribune
Environmental and racial justice activists from six states met with federal Environmental Protection Agency officials Tuesday to demand a revamp of the agency they accuse of overlooking years of chronic environmental missteps in minority communities across the South.

Campaign to Reduce Carbon Dioxide Focuses on 350
By Andrew C. Revkin
New York Times
Campaigners against global warming have drawn on an arsenal of visually startling tactics over the years, from posing nude on a Swiss glacier to scaling smokestacks at coal-fired power plants.

We’re surrounded by beautiful beaches and the ocean. But maybe, not for long.
By James Boyce
FLA Politics
To live in Florida is to be surrounded by the beauty and the wonder of the ocean.

Audubon Celebrates a Victory for Wood Storks
Newsletter
Audubon of Florida
Audubon celebrates federal District Judge Jose Martinez’s decision to revoke the wetland destruction permit for the Mirasol development in southwest Florida.

Obama touts billions for 'smart grid' plan
By Zac Anderson
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Related: Obama may have little sway in state's clean-energy debate
President Barack Obama came to this rural community Tuesday to tout an ambitious energy reform plan working through Congress, but he also came bearing gifts in the form of $200 million for Florida Power & Light to install 2.6 million "smart meters."

President Obama’s visit to Florida filled with irony
By Dr. Stephen A. Smith
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy
President Obama is visiting DeSoto County, Florida today to headline the opening ceremony of the largest solar photovoltaic (PV) facility in the country.

Solar power should be above politics
Editorial
Ft. Myers News-Press
President Barack Obama's visit to DeSoto County today marks the opening this week of the nation's largest solar power plant. It adds to the excitement of this milestone in the state's economic development.



THE BIG OIL ROUNDUP

Lawmakers' love affair with Big Oil
By Carl Hiaasen
Miami Herald
The mystery group trying to repeal Florida's ban on offshore oil drilling is winning converts the old-fashioned way, deploying a battalion of lobbyists and throwing campaign money at state legislators.

Offshore-drilling debate reveals upcoming battle lines
By Josh Hafenbrack
Orlando Sentinel
Related editorial: Caveat emptor on drilling
Envision oil derricks cluttering Florida's sunset views. Oil spills threatening marine life, turning beach sand black and scaring away tourists.

Cash cow or curse? Drilling experts offer familiar promises, warnings
By Jim Ash
Tallahassee Democrat
Related: Viewers respond, raise their own concerns about off-shore drilling
Offshore drilling would bring 20,000 new jobs and $2 billion a year to Florida, or it would doom a $60-billion-a-year industry that draws millions of tourists to Florida's pristine beaches.

Florida Forum: Energy Exploration
Don’t Drill Florida
Last night was the FSU/GANNETT Florida Forum on nearshore oil drilling featuring panels of both drilling proponents and opponents.

Supporters for offshore drilling in Florida still hiding
By Mitch Perry
Creative Loafing
Last night in Tallahassee, proponents and opponents of offshore drilling debated for two hours in a debate sponsored by Florida State University and Gannett Florida, the owner of the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper, and broadcast over the internet from the Florida State University web site.

Ken Welch: offshore drilling not the answer
By Sean Kinane
WMNF Community Radio Tampa
At last night’s offshore oil drilling forum in Tallahassee, drilling advocate David Rancourt, with the Southern Strategy Group, was asked who is backing the plan.

Australia oil spill fuels debate here
By Catherine Dolinski
Tampa Tribune
Aug. 21 was a mess for the oil industry. That was the day an oil platform off the northern coast of Australia began leaking 300 to 400 barrels of oil a day into the Timor Sea.

Company says oil leak may take weeks to plug
By David Weber
ABC News
The company responsible for the oil leak in the Timor Sea has warned that it may not stop spewing out oil for several more weeks.

Australian Oil Rig Blowout Creates Environmental Catastrophe
Press Release
Defenders of Wildlife
The impacts of the nine-week West Timor oil rig blowout are creating an environmental catastrophe for wildlife and ocean ecosystems, Defenders of Wildlife said today.


Drilling advocates’ claims that their technology is safe have been proved completely false as a massive ongoing oil spill is creating an environmental and marine disaster in the Timor Sea off Australia’s coast.

Offshore drilling splits House
By Bill Cotterell
Tallahassee Democrat
During the Florida Legislature's first big hearing on offshore oil drilling, state Rep. Paige Kreegel summed up the collision of economic, environmental and political factors.

Promise of drilling is vastly overblown
By Thomas Ballentine
Tallahassee Democrat
Related editorial: Think energy
Related AP story: Fla. offshore drilling being debated on Internet
The recent hype concerning offshore oil and gas drilling in Florida falls into the category of "Much ado about almost nothing."

House District 9 challenger Rick Minor says no campaign money from 'big oil'
By Jim Ash
Tallahassee Democrat
Trying to build on his strong third-quarter fundraising momentum, House District 9 challenger Rick Minor took a swipe this morning at the incumbent, suggesting she is a pawn of the oil industry.

Launch of New Campaign uses Power in Numbers to Oppose Off Shore Drilling (includes video)
By Meagan O’Halloran
WJHG NBC News Panama City
The battle over off-shore oil and gas drilling in the Gulf is escalating.

Cafe owner launches effort against offshore oil drilling
By John Kennedy
The News Service of Florida via FloridaEnvironments.com
A Panhandle restaurateur said today he wants thousands of Floridians to hit the beaches to fight offshore oil-drilling along the state’s Gulf coast.

Interests Differ on Money Drilling Would Bring In
By News Service of Florida
Jacksonville Observer
Florida’s fight over oil-drilling Wednesday pivoted on green issues – as in dollars.

Restaurant owner to protest proposed oil drilling
By Kimberly White
Northwest Florida Daily News
David Rauschkolb can pinpoint almost to the second when the inspiration struck.

Slow down the stampede to OK offshore drilling
By Ron Littlepage
Florida Times-Union
The charade in Tallahassee has begun.

Drilling's benefits unproven to Florida
By Fred Strobel
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
The fine series of articles by the Herald-Tribune's Jeremy Wallace and Zac Anderson place the problem in the proper perspective: Opening the eastern Gulf of Mexico to drilling is an environmental question, not an economic one, and soon to be a political one.

Chamber, BDA worried about drilling
By Daniel Carson
Panama City News Herald
Offshore oil drilling continues to be an area of concern for some Bay County groups, with officials from the Bay Defense Alliance and Bay County Chamber of Commerce worried Florida lawmakers will pass 2010 legislation that conflicts with the military’s Gulf of Mexico training missions.

Lee commission chairman: Will support drilling off state 'when hell freezes over'
By Charlie Whitehead
Naples News
Lee County Commission Chairman Ray Judah laid out for a business group Thursday morning precisely when and under what circumstances he would support drilling off Florida beaches in the Gulf of Mexico.

Florida needs safe buffer from offshore rigs
By J. Earle Bowden
Pensacola News Journal
Again, how much will near-shore oil rigs lubricate Florida's sandy shores?

Next step in vetting Florida offshore-drilling plan: FSU forum
By Kevin Spear
Orlando Sentinel
Just as oil companies drill down into the Earth with progressively narrower sections of pipe, both opponents and proponents of offshore rigs in Florida waters are steadily sharpening their arguments as they search for a payoff in public support.

Tanker collision causes oil spill in Galveston
By Angel Covarrubias
KVEO News Texas
Coast Guard officials say they have contained an oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico caused when two tankers collided near Galveston.

Start to cap gusher of hype
Editorial
Palm Beach Post
Take the reader poll: To drill or not to drill?
Over two hours Wednesday, the question of allowing oil and natural gas drilling off the Florida coast will get a more honest debate than the issue got last spring over several days in the Legislature.

Money, oil, secrecy
Editorial
St. Petersburg Times
Money, oil and secrecy make a dangerous brew.


Satellite image detailing extent of growing oil slick from the blowout of the allegedly safe, advanced technology West Atlas oil rig in the Timor Sea.

TAKE ACTION NOW

Click the picture above to urge Senate President Jeff Atwater to oppose state legislative efforts that would allow offshore oil drilling off Florida’s coast.

MORE ONLINE ACTIONS
Write a letter to the editor, via Audubon of Florida.
Write your state legislators, via Audubon of 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.
Tell Your Senator No More Offshore Drilling, via Oceana.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF NOTE
Protect Florida’s Beaches, recently launched coalition website.
Protect Florida’s Beaches on Facebook.
Don’t Drill Florida website.
Don’t Drill Florida Facebook page.
Hands Across The Sand website.
Environment Florida offshore drilling page.
Skytruth blog, an excellent source of info.
Not the Answer blog, courtesy Surfrider Foundation.
EnergyFLA.com, online hub of drilling proponents; their Twitter page is here.

MORE GREEN NEWS

Conference: Climate Change Worse for Florida Than Predicted, if no Action (includes audio)
By Gina Presson
Public News Service Florida
"It will be worse than predicted unless we take action."

Commission vote on FPL rate hike could signal shift in utilities' influence
By Dara Kam
Palm Beach Post
Utility regulators will decide Tuesday whether to comply with Gov. Charlie Crist's request to hold off voting on nearly $2 billion in base rate hikes for the state's two largest utilities.

At FPL rate hearing, outage complaints get attention
By Mary Ellen Klas
Miami Herald/St. Petersburg Times Tallahassee Bureau
Related: Bill requires FPL boosters to disclose utility links
Everglades High School history teacher Stephanie Nagel arrived home on Wednesday and, once again, her clocks were off.

Power Plays in Florida
By Alan Farago
Counterpunch
Today President Obama takes the bully pulpit for a new energy future to a rural, conservative town in Florida; Arcadia where Florida Power and Light is building the largest solar energy facility in the nation.

Largest solar panel plant in US rises in Fla.
By Christine Armario
The Associated Press
Greg Bove steps into his pickup truck and drives down a sandy path to where the future of Florida's renewable energy plans begin: Acres of open land filled with solar panels that will soon power thousands of homes and business.

Everglades at mercy of county, group says
By Paul Quinlan
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
A high-profile growth watchdog group called on the state of Florida Wednesday to rein in the Palm Beach County Commission, whose land use decisions, they fear, will cripple the multibillion-dollar Everglades restoration.

Scientists recommend improvements after reviewing Panther protection plan for eastern Collier
By Eric Staats
Naples News
A team of scientists is calling for improvements to a plan to protect the endangered Florida panther in eastern Collier County.

South Florida counties form environmental coalition
By Linda Trischitta
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
With a flourish of the pen, leaders from South Florida's four counties on Friday created a regional force that they hope will obtain federal funding to protect drinking water, enhance mass transit and encourage the use of alternative fuels.

Protesters accuse environmental agencies of inaction on climate change
By Paul Quinlan
Palm Beach Post
A two-hour, three-way standoff between protesters, environmental regulators and police outside a Florida Department of Environmental Protection office today ended peacefully, when activist leaders met briefly with regulators to discuss greenhouse gas emissions.

State agency teaches disabled about fish and wildlife - and jobs
By Jerome Burdi
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
An owl, snake, skunk and alligators were some of the main attractions at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's mentoring day for the disabled.

Survey shows residents TAPPing into water quality (includes audio)
By Trimmel Gomes
WFSU Public Radio Tallahassee
You may have seen humorous TV ads and billboards recently about the city of Tallahassee's TAPP campaign...TAPP stands for "Think About Personal Pollution".

Leon commissioners defer on 'Hometown Democracy' stance
By TaMaryn Waters
Tallahassee Democrat
Leon County commissioners decided not to take a stand on the heavily disputed proposed Hometown Democracy amendment during a workshop Tuesday.

Tired of dead-end development? Let's take back our cities!
By Mel Kelly
Destin Log
What does “growth” really look like to Florida communities?

Uninspiring energy-efficiency standards
Editorial
Miami Herald
Florida PSC should lead in promoting conservation, renewable power sources
The easiest, cheapest way to save energy is to use less of it. Floridians get that, already.

Panthers without borders
Editorial
Daytona Beach News-Journal
You see its image often on license plates in Florida, but chances are next to nothing -- and growing slimmer by the acre -- that you'll ever see the real thing in its natural habitat.

Forever isn't political
Editorial
Orlando Sentinel
This week, gubernatorial candidates Alex Sink and Bill McCollum seemed the last people capable of agreeing on anything, given their freewheeling attacks on each other for failing to stop rogue debt collectors from threatening Floridians.

Bagging a bad habit
Editorial
Orlando Sentinel
The world didn't end when doctors stopped making house calls, when filling stations stopped checking under the hood, when ATMs replaced tellers.

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"

Major update on effort to save Fred George Basin

Major update on effort to save Fred George Basin

The Leon County Commission voted unanimously Tuesday night to purchase two critically important land parcels as part of the Fred George Basin conservation project. This marks the third and fourth out of five tracts that will comprise the 175-acre Fred George Basin Greenway.

Wildwood Preservation Society was formed in April 2006 to challenge a rezoning notice that, if approved, would have allowed reckless high-density development in the Fred George Basin floodplain, an area active with endangered wildlife and that had already suffered from nearby sprawl. Thanks to the hard work and support of many, many individuals and a coalition of concerned organizations, the heart of Fred George Basin has largely been saved. The Fred George Basin Greenway is slated to eventually open as a public park with low-impact recreation such as hiking trails.


Endangered wood storks in Fred George Basin, May 2009. Photo courtesy Rich Leighton, Florida Nature Photography.

Detailed background (adapted from Leon County Commission Agenda Item 38 from the Oct. 13, 2009 meeting): The Fred George Basin, located in northwestern Leon County, is made up of several parcels that contain developable uplands as well as flood prone areas, wetlands, and the Fred George Sink. The three parcels that form the core of the Fred George Basin were owned by R.P. Properties, LLC. (R.P.), the Maples family, and Christina Maples. The owners applied for a rezoning of their property from RA to R-3 in April 2006. Prior to the Planning Commission hearing on the requested rezoning, petitions were filed with the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) by Wildwood Preservation Society founder Misty Penton, a nearby resident, claiming that the substantial increase in residential density would change the nature of the rural community, increase runoff in the Fred George Basin, cause flooding within some neighborhoods, and have a negative impact on threatened and endangered species in the area. Standing to challenge was found in two of the three rezoning requests (R.P. and James Maples). Due to an interest by the County to obtain the parcels, the rezoning requests were voluntarily postponed by the owners, and the DOAH hearing placed in abeyance, pending a decision on final disposition of the property.

At the October 10, 2006 Board meeting, the acquisition of the parcels was discussed under Commissioners’ time and staff was directed to develop an agenda request concerning this issue. The agenda item went before the Board at the December 12, 2006 regular meeting. After discussion, the Board voted to acquire the tract owned by R.P. Properties LLC, the most environmentally sensitive parcel, upon dismissal of the rezoning request, with the option to acquire the James Maples and Christina Maples property at a future time. In addition, the Board directed staff to seek Blueprint 2000 (BP 2000) funding for the acquisition of all three properties.

At the February 13, 2007 regular meeting, an agenda item concerning the proposed Fred George Basin Greenway went before the Board. After discussion, staff was directed to seek funding for the acquisition of the three original parcels and two additional parcels, the four-acre Schwartz property, located to the north of the original three parcels, and the 13-acre Cavanagh property, located to the east of the original three parcels. Staff was directed to seek the additional funding required for the acquisition by submitting a Florida Communities Trust (FCT) Grant application to the Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA).

In January 2007, the County submitted a request to BP 2000 to reclassify the Fred George Basin project from a Tier 2 to a Tier 1 to obtain BP 2000 funding. In addition, the County requested that BP2000 utilize the funding originally allocated for Lake Jackson projects to the Fred George Basin project since many of the Lake Jackson projects had been completed by the County using other sources of funding. BP 2000 staff submitted this proposal to their Technical Review Committee (TRC) on February 8, 2007.

The TRC considered the issue and formally recommended the transfer of $2.691 million from the Lake Jackson project to the Fred George Basin project. This recommendation was presented to the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). The CAC concurred with the TRC, and formally recommended the transfer $2.691 million to the Fred George Basin project and to begin the reclassification process necessary to move the project from Tier 2 to Tier 1. This recommendation went to the BP 2000 Intergovernmental Agency (IA) meeting on February 26, 2007. The IA directed BP 2000 staff to schedule the public hearing necessary to move the Fred George Basin project to Tier 1 and, upon the reclassification, transfer no more than $2.77 million to the project. At a public hearing on June 4, 2007, the IA approved the reclassification of the project to Tier 1 and the allocation of no more than $2.77 million to the project.

Concurrent with the process of seeking funds through BP 2000, the Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department (Planning) and the Grants Program Coordinator, working with Wildwood Preservation Society, developed and submitted a FCT application for the Fred George Basin Greenway project. The application called for reimbursement to the County after the parcels were acquired through a voluntary negotiated transaction. The application was successful, ranking the Fred George Basin Greenway project 5th out of 110 applicants, and the County executed an agreement with FCT on January 15, 2008.

In order to expedite the acquisition of the properties, County staff ordered appraisals for all five parcels. Since FCT would utilize the appraised value in determining the amount of reimbursement to the County, the FCT process of appraisal was utilized. Two state-certified appraisers were retained, and appraisals were done for each parcel. A third state-certified appraiser reviewed the appraisals to insure accuracy, and developed a Maximum Approved Purchase Price (MAPP).

At its regular meeting of December 9, 2008, the Board approved the purchase of the RP property for $900,000, and allocated an additional $200,000 for environmental cleanup of the site. At its July 14, 2009 regular meeting, the Board approved the purchase of the Dan Schwartz property for $100,000. Both parcels have since been purchased.

With the purchase of the two newest properties, four of the five parcels originally planned for acquisition are now County owned. More than 160 acres have been saved to date. Currently Leon County staff is negotiating with the owners of the fifth parcel, a 13-acre piece that is predominantly flood plain and bottomland forest.


Egret chicks in Fred George Basin, May 2009. Photo courtesy Rich Leighton, Florida Nature Photography

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 7-17-09

FEATURED STORIES

New Airport Impact: A closer Look Pt. 1 (video)
Reported by Mark Vaughn
WJHG NBC 7
Follow-up report: New Airport Impact: A closer Look Pt. 2
The initial plan, to extend the current airport's runway into North Bay, was shot down for environmental reasons.

Millions in road fixes, once promised by developers, could be jeopardized by new law
By Michael Van Sickler
St. Petersburg Times
Related column: Crist signs bad growth law, is 'punished' with $4.3 million in campaign contributions
As mammoth subdivisions got approved amid worsening traffic congestion during the housing boom, residents were continually assured by local officials that future road improvements were covered by developers.

State of the Everglades Report
Audubon Everglades Team
Audubon of Florida
This report recaps Audubon of Florida's progress on Everglades restoration over the past six months.

Wood storks have their best nesting season since the 1930s
By Eric Staats
Naples Daily News
Related Ft. Myers News-Press story: Wood storks breeding season finally a success
A frenzy of wood stork nesting in the Everglades this year has been one for the books.

NW development moves forward
By Will Brown
Tallahassee Democrat
Leon County commissioners unanimously moved to consider plans for the first phase of the Summerfield property in compliance with the county's comprehensive code Tuesday night.

City, county continue discussion on merging growth departments
By Will Brown
Tallahassee Democrat
The nuances of moving forward with the consolidation of the Growth and Environmental Management Department was the crux of Wednesday's conversation between Tallahassee Mayor John Marks and Leon County Commission chairman Bryan Desloge.


Endangered Florida Panther.

MORE GREEN NEWS

Attack Survivors Stand Up for Saving Shark Species (includes audio)
By Gina Presson
Public News Service of Florida
The shark literally bit the hand that fed it - or at least the leg - but now its victim, Miami Beach dive boat owner Michael Beach, is working to conserve and protect sharks like the one that bit him.

Advocate on challenge to proposed nuclear plant (audio interview)
By Mitch E. Perry
WMNF Community Radio Tampa
Progress Energy’s plans for a nuclear power plant in Levy County became a little bumpier this week.

Power Giants Seek Big Rate Hikes
By Mike Vasilinda
Capitol News Service
Florida’s two biggest power companies want to dig deeper into your pocket.

Hunters get go-ahead to kill pythons in Big Cypress
By Curtis Morgan
Miami Herald
The federal government on Thursday said it would open up Big Cypress National Wildlife Refuge, which borders Everglades National Park, to a pilot program allowing licensed hunters to ''terminate'' any python they encounter.

Humane Society urges state agency to reconsider python decision
Staff Report
Naples Daily News
The Humane Society of the United States is urging the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to reconsider its decision to allow python hunting in Florida.

Delays, price hikes make a muck of $800 million Everglades project
By Paul Quinlan
Palm Beach Post
Deep in the cane fields south of Lake Okeechobee, a massive construction site sits abandoned along U.S. 27, its dreams for the Everglades unfulfilled.

Everglades land swap may be key to FPL plans to expand in West Miami-Dade
By Tania Valdemoro and Curtis Morgan
Miami Herald
Florida Power & Light bought a ribbon of Everglades marl prairie 40 years ago, envisioning it as an isolated place to some day run power lines.

Sides argue pros and cons of U.S. Sugar deal
By Andy Reid
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Opponents to an Everglades land deal have stepped up their attacks on a plan they say costs taxpayers too much and threatens to set back environmental restoration.

Outlaw swimming with manatees, environmental group demands
By Barbara Behrendt
St. Petersburg Times
A national environmental organization has asked the federal government to prohibit all swimming with manatees, citing increasing harassment of the endangered species.

Rare ghost orchid blooms again near Naples
By Penny Carnathan
Tampa Tribune
Corkscrew Swamp is happy to be haunted for an unusual three years in a row: Its rare ghost orchid is in bloom again, and again drawing visitors from around the country to the sanctuary northeast of Naples.

Water managers shaking up staff, reducing number of senior employees
By Paul Quinlan
Palm Beach Post
South Florida's largest and most powerful environmental agency is thinning its management ranks in its largest staff shake-up in years.

Halting wildlife trade
By Jennifer Hobgood
Miami Herald
The 2-year-old Sumter County girl killed last week by an eight-foot pet Burmese python underscores the threat posed when wild animals are kept as pets.

Plan would open Big Cypress to hunting, vehicles
By David Fleshler
South Florida Sun Sentinel
A federal proposal would open up a vast sweep of forest and swamp on both sides of Alligator Alley to hunting and off-road vehicles, ending a 20-year stretch in which the only serious predator on the local deer and hogs was the Florida panther.

Turtle harvest ban takes effect July 20
The Associated Press
Miami Herald
A ban on commercial harvesting of Florida's freshwater turtles takes effect July 20.

FWC Requests Comments on First Draft of Imperiled Species Listing Changes
FWC Press Release
Wakulla.com
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) seeks public input on the first draft of rules to revise Florida’s imperiled species listing process.

Supporters say Amendment 4 won't kill jobs
By Bill Cotterell
Tallahassee Democrat
Letting voters decide on changes in comprehensive land-use plans will not kill jobs or force a referendum on every new growth opportunity, supporters of a "hometown democracy" amendment said Wednesday.

Amendment 4 corrects power failure
By John Hedrick
Daytona Beach News-Journal
The News-Journal editorial Sunday conceded that the Florida Hometown Democracy amendment would give voters direct veto power over every major land use change approved by local governments.

Vote 'yes' on Amendment 4 to improve your community
By Pedro Monteiro
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Amendment 4, Florida Hometown Democracy, gives the people of a community the right to vote on whether to approve amendments to their local land use plans.

Amendment would please Jefferson
By Rebecca Eagan
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Thomas Jefferson sold me on Florida Hometown Democracy.

SB 360 must be nullified
Editorial
Ft. Myers News-Press
Kudos to Lee County for joining the lawsuit against the state of Florida over a new growth-management law that compromises state and local government's ability to regulate growth and pay for infrastructure.

Move to protect sharks, panthers in South Florida
Editorial
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Two threatened species of predators, panthers and sharks, deserve an assist from South Floridians.


Endangered whale shark.

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"

Spring and Summer 2009 Fred George Basin wildlife photos

Spring and Summer 2009 Fred George Basin wildlife photos

Endangered wood storks nesting in Fred George Basin, Spring 2009. Photo courtesy Richard Leighton, Florida Nature Photography.


Snowy egret chicks nesting in Fred George Basin, Spring 2009. Photo courtesy Richard Leighton, Florida Nature Photography.


Snowy egret chicks nesting in Fred George Basin, Spring 2009. Many thanks to Richard Leighton, Florida Nature Photography.


Barred owl amidst the wood in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Endangered wood storks nesting in Fred George Basin, June 2009. Caption contest, anyone?


Endangered wood stork in flight above Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Snowy egrets nesting in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


In Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Juvenile wood storks nesting in Fred George Basin, June 2009. Another caption contest candidate.


Female anhinga in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Male anhinga in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Snowy egret chicks nesting in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Nesting juvenile wood storks in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Fred George Basin, June 2009.


No hunting in Fred George Basin! Foxes and other wild predators excepted…


…Fox returning to den after successful rabbit hunt in Fred George Basin, June 2009.


Endangered wood storks fill the sky above Fred George Basin, June 2009.

Note: All photos by Jon Bleyer of Wildwood Preservation Society except where noted.

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 Earth Day Jam April 18th in Tallahassee

Florida Earth Day Jam is Florida’s largest Earth Day celebration. The Earth Day Jam is an all-day music festival and environmental exposition that will be held Saturday, April 18 at The Bradfordville Blues Club and is organized by the parents, teachers, children and alumni of The Magnolia School of Tallahassee.

The Magnolia community is committed to serving the community at large with its environmental education component. As they did for their wildly successful concert in 2006, dozens of our area’s environmental organizations will participate in the environmental exposition going on all day during the show. With the music, the vendors and the green exposition on site, this year’s Jam will be more exciting than ever, and will provide valuable outreach opportunities for our environmental nonprofit partners.

Leon County Commissioner Cliff Thaell and Tallahassee City Commissioner Andrew D. Gillum serve as honorary co-chairs of this regional Earth Day observance and celebration.

Musicians, artisans, vendors and exhibitors are being added every day. Support Florida Earth Day Jam!

Click here for more info and to purchase tickets.
Click here to visit Florida Earth Jam on MySpace.





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"

Saving Wakulla Springs

See the end of this post for more info and ways to take action.

Working together to make Wakulla spring back
By Jennifer Portman
Tallahassee Democrat

WAKULLA SPRINGS STATE PARK ‑ The limpkins haven’t returned yet, but their beloved apple snails, seeded by scientists to lure back the park’s departed signature bird, are multiplying.

The slimy hydrilla still has a grip on the swimming area, but the native eel grass biologists have planted is taking hold.

And while the quality of the water coursing out of the main vent hasn’t changed much, plans to reduce the amount of polluted runoff reaching the spring remain on track.

Wakulla Spring - the park’s centerpiece and one of the largest, deepest and most studied springs in the world - isn’t in the clear yet, experts say. But there are positive signs that recent attention to the threats it faces from development and poor stewardship is making a difference.

“I look at this as our Everglades,” said Charles Pattison, president of 1000 Friends of Florida.

Now, advocates say, it’s time to keep pushing forward. On Feb. 25, scientists, planners, politicians and regular citizens will get together for a two-day conference to hear the latest scientific findings about the spring, learn about continuing efforts to improve its health and set goals for the future.

Out of the discussion, organizers hope to come up with an action plan and get a general commitment from local governments to do what is needed to protect the spring.

“We cannot rest on our laurels,” said Tallahassee City Commissioner Debbie Lightsey, who spearheaded the upcoming workshop, which is being coordinated through Pattison’s environmental group. “If you love the spring, you can’t stop after taking the first step.”

New focus: Septic tanks

A similar workshop was last held about four years ago. Much of the scrutiny at that time was on how Tallahassee's sewage was degrading water quality at the spring. Two years later, the city agreed to make improvements to its wastewater system, including spending $160 million to reduce the amount of nitrate-rich runoff that drains from its south-side spray field and flows underground directly to Wakulla Spring.

High nitrate levels are thought to be bad for springs because the nutrient fuels the growth of invasive plants such as hydrilla and algae. The state's Department of Environmental Protection is considering limiting nitrate levels at all springs to no higher than .35 milligrams per liter. Wakulla Spring's nitrate level has been hanging steady in recent years at .5 milligrams per liter.

Despite some delays related to Tropical Storm Fay, the city's system upgrades are underway. So, this year's conference will focus on the creeping problem of septic tanks.

There are about 20,000 septic tanks in southern Leon and Wakulla counties, the most fragile part of the spring basin. It's a number expected to grow. That troubles those concerned about the health of the spring, because while the volume of wastewater from the city sewer system is greater, the effluent from individual septic tanks contains higher nitrate concentrations.

Brian Katz, researcher with the United States Geological Survey, recently studied the nitrate levels in ground water near septic tanks.

"I was amazed at how much variation there was," said Katz, who will discuss his findings at the workshop. "There are a lot of unknowns yet that need to be addressed."

Springs don't obey boundaries

The workshop also will emphasize the need for local governments to work together to ensure the spring is protected.

"It's a complex problem that needs an inter-governmental approach," Pattison said.

The event will culminate with the signing of an agreement that commits in principle municipalities in the basin to make policy decisions safeguarding the spring.

"Spring protection doesn't stop at the county line," said Lindsay Stevens, Wakulla County's assistant county manager for planning since 2007. "We have a lot of enthusiastic, smart people who have gotten beyond the political boundaries and have really rallied around the issue. I think we are all poised to do something great."

That unified desire to protect the spring has helped foster cooperation between governments, particularly between Wakulla and Leon Counties, said Stevens,.

"We have accomplished a lot, and I think we are going to build on that," she said. "We want to make sure that on both sides of the line we are doing what we need to be doing. We need to be consistent."

Challenging economic times also make it more important than ever for local governments to work together, Lightsey added.

"Regional partnerships are the name of the game right now," she said. "Money is hard to come by for local governments right now, but you can't put everything on hold."

Pattison said politicians have come to recognize the importance of the spring to voters.

"It's a complex problem that needs an inter-governmental approach," he said. "I don't think anybody wants to see the decline of Wakulla Springs happened on their watch."

Public education

Community sensitivity to the problems facing the spring has never been higher, experts say.

"Overall, there is a much greater awareness in the community about what the issues are and how they can get involved," said park manager Brian Fugate.

One-time critics of government stewardship of the spring now have mostly good things to say about restoration efforts.

"Most of the Friends are feeling hopeful," said Jack Leppert, of the citizen's group Friends of Wakulla Springs. "We are beginning to see some improvement."

Leppert said the once-weed choked area in front of his dock down river is clear enough to push a canoe through for the first time in years.

But there is more to do, and organizers of the event are hopeful that members of the public also will take the time to attend the event. Jim Stevenson, coordinator of the Wakulla Springs Basin Working Group, said he's made the scientists promise to speak in layman's terms.

"It has taken 30 years of sloppiness on our part to degrade the spring. It's going to take 30 years of good management practices to restore it," Stevenson said. "Whoever works or lives in the basin has a role to play."


MORE INFO AND WAYS TO HELP
Attend the Wakulla Springshed Restoration Workshop
When: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 26.
Where: Tallahassee Antique Car Museum, U.S. Highway 90 and Interstate 10.
Cost: $30. The fee is payable at the door, but organizers are encouraging early registration by going to the Web site here. The fee covers the cost of lunch the first day, snacks and drinks. For more information, contact Dan Pennington at (850) 222-6277, ext. 105.
Check out the Tallahassee Democrat editorial Saving Wakulla Springs: You Can Do Your Part Right Now for suggested ways to take action today.
Click the picture below to visit and support Friends of Wakulla Springs:

Endangered manatee at Wakulla Springs.

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

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Critically endangered Right Whale and calf

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

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Click the logo above to visit the International Crane Foundation.

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

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