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Videos on Sarasota County Planning and Zoning:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voM6y6iXqYo overview of the Zoning, Rezones and Special Exceptions and the hearing process. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuOJsGkEmGE&t=40s overview of the department. Blue-Green Algae Bloom Information
Additional information regarding the current status of algal blooms in South Florida is being consolidated and posted on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s website: https://floridadep.gov/dear/algal-bloom. |
Resources for students interested in environmental issues:
Getting Involved in Environmental Law Going Green On Campus Green Career Guidebook Green Careers Beyond Solar Student's Guide to Global Warming |
Read The Invading Sea: DeSantis must tackle climate change, sea level rise as part of environment plan - “After skimming along the Everglades on a campaign airboat tour with Broward County’s venerable ‘Alligator Ron’ Bergeron in September, Ron DeSantis, gubernatorial candidate, vowed to halt the green algae that oozes into the state’s canals and rivers, study the cause of red tides plaguing the state’s beaches, continue Everglades restoration and bar fracking and drilling for oil offshore...But there was something notably absent that day: An acknowledgment by the candidate that human activities are contributing to rapidly changing climate patterns worldwide, causing untold damage in the form of more severe floods, fires, and heat waves, as well as rising seas along the coastlines, including Florida’s. As the state’s newly elected governor, DeSantis shouldn’t remain silent for long. Just last week, less than a month after his narrow victory over Andrew Gillum, 13 U.S. Government agencies released an unsettling major scientific report that warns of grim economic consequences if nothing is done to curb global warming. Among other things, the second volume of the National Climate Assessment assigned some very specific costs to the U.S. economy if nothing is done to abate climate change...It is commendable that the new governor is willing to commit time, money and attention to conservation. During the campaign, he characterized himself as a conservationist in the mold of President Theodore Roosevelt, whose breakaway Progressive Party, also known as the “Bull Moose” Party, championed conservation as a platform plank in the 1912 presidential election...Decades later, conservation has done little to retard development in Florida. And that’s a critical point to note as the governor heads for his inauguration in January. Uncontrolled growth in Florida cannot continue unabated, given the environmental volatility facing the state today. And tighter, not diluted, regulatory enforcement must take precedence over aggressive development….” From the Sun Sentinel Editorial Board.
Read Report: Warmer temperatures could fuel algae blooms - “A new federal report highlights the impacts that climate change could have on the U.S. It's also mentions toxic algae blooms, like the ones we saw in parts of South Florida earlier this year. The National Climate Report by 13 federal agencies touches on the subject. The section titled Water-Related Illnesses and Death reads in part: "Increasing water temperatures associated with climate change are projected to alter the seasonality of growth and the geographic range of harmful algae and coastal pathogens, and runoff from more frequent and intense rainfall is projected to increasingly compromise recreational waters and sources of drinking water through increased introductions of pathogens and toxic algal blooms." "That warmth during the summer months that's when we see the most cells," said Malcolm McFarland, a research associate at FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. He said he's not surprised by that report. "They really like warmer temperatures," said McFarland of harmful algae blooms. "It's going to favor their growth." Alex Hagan reports for WPTV.
Read Red tide suspected as dead dolphins wash up on Collier, Lee beaches - “Dolphins appear to be the latest victim of red tide in Southwest Florida, as 22 have washed up dead on beaches in Collier and Lee counties since last Wednesday, one official said. Blair Mase, a marine mammal stranding coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said tests need to be completed but that it seems the dolphins are being killed by brevetoxin from red tide...When water testing results come in Wednesday morning, Mase said she expects to see a spike in red tide counts. Dolphins aren’t the only animals affected by the suspected spike. Mase said dead sea turtles have been found on beaches in Lee and Collier counties and that there are reports of birds dying as well. "What's concerning is the red tide also affects dolphin prey,” Mase said. “Dolphins can die from either inhalation of the toxin or eating prey that have been exposed to the red tide.”...NOAA cannot confirm whether the latest string of dead dolphins in Lee and Collier counties has been caused by the red tide toxin until test results are completed, Mase said….” Jake Allen reports for Naples Daily News.
Read Horrible Biscayne Bay pollution worsened by 800-gallon sewage leak - “Despite its photogenic good looks, Miami Beach has long struggled with dirty water. Beach-goers routinely pollute the ocean with plastic bottles and pool floats, while pumps meant to curb flooding due to sea level rise actually just flush more fecal matter into Biscayne Bay. Earlier this year, Miami Beach joined much of Florida in being swept with a toxic red tide. Broken sewer pipes are also contributing to the problem: In October, city inspectors discovered cracks in a wastewater pipe under the bridge to the ritzy La Gorce Island in Mid-Beach. Before it could be fixed, an estimated 800 gallons of raw sewage leaked into Biscayne Bay. The leak was reported to Miami Beach commissioners in a November 15 memo. The city's public works department says the entire sewer force main needs to be replaced, noting that the temporary repairs uncovered several cracks in the pipe "which can fail at any moment." The cost to fix the sewer line is expected to exceed $239,000…” Jessica Lipscomb reports for the Miami New Times.
Read Conservation group asks House, Senate Presidents for joint select committee on climate change - “Legislative advocacy group Florida Conservation Voters is asking new leadership in the State Capitol for a joint select committee on climate change. Executive Director Aliki Moncrief’s recent letter is addressed to the Republican presidents of the Senate and House, Bill Galvano and Jose Oliva. It comes after two reports, one from the United Nations and another from federal agencies, that outline the need for climate change action...What’s the benefit of forming a single-issue committee? Moncrief says doing so can more effectively “harness the focus” of the legislature. “Creating a committee creates a forum, where these lawmakers who have an interest or maybe even some expertise in these areas can be appointed to the committees to really take a hard look,” she said. To Moncrief, tackling climate issues creates an opportunity for Republicans. “This is a huge opportunity for Republican leadership to say ‘You know what, we recognize that climate change is probably the most life-threatening, life-altering crisis that we face,’” Moncrief said. “Whether they want to talk about it from an economic angle – I mean, if they want to talk about it in terms of economics, there’s plenty of material there…” Ryan Dailey reports for WFSU.
Read Report: Warmer temperatures could fuel algae blooms - “A new federal report highlights the impacts that climate change could have on the U.S. It's also mentions toxic algae blooms, like the ones we saw in parts of South Florida earlier this year. The National Climate Report by 13 federal agencies touches on the subject. The section titled Water-Related Illnesses and Death reads in part: "Increasing water temperatures associated with climate change are projected to alter the seasonality of growth and the geographic range of harmful algae and coastal pathogens, and runoff from more frequent and intense rainfall is projected to increasingly compromise recreational waters and sources of drinking water through increased introductions of pathogens and toxic algal blooms." "That warmth during the summer months that's when we see the most cells," said Malcolm McFarland, a research associate at FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. He said he's not surprised by that report. "They really like warmer temperatures," said McFarland of harmful algae blooms. "It's going to favor their growth." Alex Hagan reports for WPTV.
Read Red tide suspected as dead dolphins wash up on Collier, Lee beaches - “Dolphins appear to be the latest victim of red tide in Southwest Florida, as 22 have washed up dead on beaches in Collier and Lee counties since last Wednesday, one official said. Blair Mase, a marine mammal stranding coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said tests need to be completed but that it seems the dolphins are being killed by brevetoxin from red tide...When water testing results come in Wednesday morning, Mase said she expects to see a spike in red tide counts. Dolphins aren’t the only animals affected by the suspected spike. Mase said dead sea turtles have been found on beaches in Lee and Collier counties and that there are reports of birds dying as well. "What's concerning is the red tide also affects dolphin prey,” Mase said. “Dolphins can die from either inhalation of the toxin or eating prey that have been exposed to the red tide.”...NOAA cannot confirm whether the latest string of dead dolphins in Lee and Collier counties has been caused by the red tide toxin until test results are completed, Mase said….” Jake Allen reports for Naples Daily News.
Read Horrible Biscayne Bay pollution worsened by 800-gallon sewage leak - “Despite its photogenic good looks, Miami Beach has long struggled with dirty water. Beach-goers routinely pollute the ocean with plastic bottles and pool floats, while pumps meant to curb flooding due to sea level rise actually just flush more fecal matter into Biscayne Bay. Earlier this year, Miami Beach joined much of Florida in being swept with a toxic red tide. Broken sewer pipes are also contributing to the problem: In October, city inspectors discovered cracks in a wastewater pipe under the bridge to the ritzy La Gorce Island in Mid-Beach. Before it could be fixed, an estimated 800 gallons of raw sewage leaked into Biscayne Bay. The leak was reported to Miami Beach commissioners in a November 15 memo. The city's public works department says the entire sewer force main needs to be replaced, noting that the temporary repairs uncovered several cracks in the pipe "which can fail at any moment." The cost to fix the sewer line is expected to exceed $239,000…” Jessica Lipscomb reports for the Miami New Times.
Read Conservation group asks House, Senate Presidents for joint select committee on climate change - “Legislative advocacy group Florida Conservation Voters is asking new leadership in the State Capitol for a joint select committee on climate change. Executive Director Aliki Moncrief’s recent letter is addressed to the Republican presidents of the Senate and House, Bill Galvano and Jose Oliva. It comes after two reports, one from the United Nations and another from federal agencies, that outline the need for climate change action...What’s the benefit of forming a single-issue committee? Moncrief says doing so can more effectively “harness the focus” of the legislature. “Creating a committee creates a forum, where these lawmakers who have an interest or maybe even some expertise in these areas can be appointed to the committees to really take a hard look,” she said. To Moncrief, tackling climate issues creates an opportunity for Republicans. “This is a huge opportunity for Republican leadership to say ‘You know what, we recognize that climate change is probably the most life-threatening, life-altering crisis that we face,’” Moncrief said. “Whether they want to talk about it from an economic angle – I mean, if they want to talk about it in terms of economics, there’s plenty of material there…” Ryan Dailey reports for WFSU.
In April, a trio of conservationists trekked through a narrow corridor of wild land in the shadow of Walt Disney World. Their mission: to bring attention to the need to preserve these corridors for wildlife.
