Current News
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ECOSWF joins others in protesting proposed fish farming off the coast of Sarasota County:
See letter to the EPA from the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida , Center for Biological Diversity, Friends of the Earth, Oceanic Preservation Society, Food & Water Watch, Suncoast Waterkeeper, National Family Farm Coalition, Farmworker Association of Florida, Sierra Club, Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, Healthy Gulf, Center for Food Safety, and Community Alliance for Global Justice.
ECOSWF joins others to ask for action to protect climate-vulnerable properties
Request directed in a letter dated February 19, 2020, to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO World Heritage Centre IUCN World Heritage Programme International Council on Monuments and Sites International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property We write on behalf of 76 organizations and individuals that are concerned about the impacts of climate change on the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of UNESCO World Heritage properties to recommend that your organizations: • Include, in state of conservation reports and draft decisions for climate-vulnerable properties under review, conclusions about whether the relevant state party’s actions are consistent with a 1.5°C pathway, and, if they are not, recommend steps the state party should take to achieve this; and • Request state parties to report on how they are proactively aligning their actions with the international community’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C. In taking these steps, your organizations would be following in the footsteps of other United Nations treaty bodies and institutions that have called on state parties to take specific actions to ensure that those states’ contributions to climate change do not undermine the goals of the relevant international agreements. $13.5 Million to Address Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs)
NJDEP Provides $13.5 Million to Address Harmful Algal Blooms By Juliet Kaszas-Hoch | Jan 08, 2020 TRENTON, NJ — The NJ Department of Environmental Protection is making $13.5 million in funding available for local projects to improve water quality and help prevent, mitigate and manage harmful algal blooms in lakes and ponds, building upon the state’s HAB response strategy announced by Gov. Phil Murphy in November. According to the DEP, “Harmful algal blooms, also known as HABs, are not true algal blooms. Rather, they are caused by naturally occurring cyanobacteria that can reproduce to unhealthful levels under certain conditions, including sunlight, nutrients from sources such as fertilizers and improperly operating septic systems, warm weather and stagnant water. They frequently form dense mats, resembling pea soup or spilled paint.” Exposure to blooms can cause adverse health effects, including rashes, allergy-like reactions, flu-like symptoms, gastroenteritis, respiratory irritation and eye irritation. Exposure to a bloom that is actively producing cyanotoxins may even result in liver toxicity and neurological consequences. People, pets and wildlife are all susceptible if they come into contact with or ingest water experiencing a bloom. “Harmful algal blooms are creating real hardships for the people of New Jersey, affecting livelihoods, local economies and tourism,” DEP Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe said. “The Murphy administration is committed to moving forward quickly to make financial resources available for local projects that will reduce the occurrence of harmful algal blooms, improving our quality of life and better protecting public health and the environment.” The DEP has formally issued requests for proposals for $3.5 million in grants to fund planning and projects to help local management, response and mitigation of HABs through proven and innovative projects. This program is open to a wide variety of potential applicants, including local government agencies, academic institutions and nonprofits. In addition, the department has issued a draft Intended Use Plan for public comment that earmarks $10 million in Clean Water State Revolving Fund money as principal-forgiveness funding for projects that address HABs by improving water quality. DEP is encouraging interested potential applicants – primarily local and county government agencies – to apply for funding through this program as soon as possible. Murphy announced the funding as part of a comprehensive effort to address the increasing number of harmful algal blooms that occurred across the state last year. More than 70 suspected blooms were reported, with 39 confirmed. These blooms resulted in health and water-contact advisories and closures of bathing beaches and, in some cases, had direct impacts on tourism-related businesses. This effort also includes an enhanced program of science-based prevention, mitigation, study and response. “Specifically, the DEP has issued a request for proposals for harmful algal bloom management matching grants totaling $2.5 million to fund the implementation of innovative or proven projects to manage HABs through prevention and mitigation,” a department press release reads. “Through this 2:1 matching grant, the DEP will enhance its local partners’ investments in HAB prevention and mitigation projects by providing $2 in funding for every $1 invested by a grant applicant. “The DEP has also set aside $1 million from a $3.5 million nonpoint source pollution grant program for watershed or lakeshed planning to address harmful algal blooms by reducing nutrients in stormwater. No local match would be required for an applicant to be eligible for these planning funds.” To view the requests for proposals, including requirements for proposal submissions, and for more information about the state’s Water Quality Restoration Grants Program, visit nj.gov/dep/wms/bears/npsrestgrants.html. In addition, the $10 million DEP has proposed to make available as principal-forgiveness funding through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund provides potential applicants with a cost-effective way to implement projects, such as wastewater and stormwater improvements, that will reduce pollutants that help fuel harmful algal blooms. “The principal-forgiveness funding (capped at $2 million per project) could cover as much as half the cost of these projects,” said the department. “The DEP and the New Jersey Water Bank will provide the balance through a blend of zero-interest and market-rate funding that results in low-interest loans for applicants.” For information, visit nj.gov/dep/dwq/cwpl.htm. “We strongly encourage interested parties to reach out to us as soon as possible to take advantage of this unique funding opportunity,” said Michele Putnam, assistant commissioner for water resources management. “At this stage, all applicants need is an idea. We will assign a project manager for each project to help guide applicants through design, permitting and program requirements.” For more information on harmful algal blooms, visit state.nj.us/dep/hab. —J.K.-H. |
Aquatic plant management: can we do better?
FANN member and retired environmental engineer and biologist, Allen Stewart, ASBRO & PASOP, certainly thinks so Bits and Pieces from Around the State of Florida
County Commission hears residents' views:
https://www.chieflandcitizen.com/content/death-toll-road By Mark Berryman Chiefland Citizen Residents oppose toll roads By Mark Berryman Williston Pioneer A number of people spoke up at last week’s meeting of the Levy County Board of Commissioners in reference to the proposed Suncoast Connector and Northern Turnpike Corridor projects. Of those who spoke, most were adamantly against either project. Florida House Backs Broadband Expansion Effort Staff Report News Service of Florida Excerpt: Lawmakers last year approved a plan aimed at extending the Suncoast Parkway from the Tampa Bay area to the Georgia border, building a toll road from Polk County to Collier County and extending Florida’s Turnpike west from Wildwood to connect with the Suncoast Parkway. Senate President Bill Galvano, a Bradenton Republican who pushed the legislation that authorized the roads, has repeatedly stressed that his plan would involve infrastructure, such as broadband. Critics of the roads have warned the corridors will cause sprawl for people who want to live in small communities and will devastate already-endangered wildlife. Millions of toll dollars may go uncollected by state; lawmakers want answers By Noah Pransky Florida Politics Hundreds of millions of tollway dollars may be going uncollected by the state, and lawmakers want more transparency from the Florida Department of Transportation on the reasons why. Nature of Things: Toll road plan still woefully short on details By Tom Palmer The Ledger The legislative-mandated effort to create a new highway through southwest Florida from Lakeland to Naples through possibly some of the last wild areas of this state remains long on rhetoric and short on details. Ten terrible moves by an arrogant Florida Legislature Editorial South Florida Sun Sentinel Excerpt: Consider the series of bad laws that ruling Republicans rammed through a year ago: three new politically driven toll roads; allowing teachers to carry guns; imposing financial barriers on felons who want to vote; making it harder to gather petitions for ballot initiatives; a legally dubious ban on so-called sanctuary cities; and forcing citizens to pay developers’ legal fees if unsuccessful in challenging proposed land-use changes. Small Florida Town Worries Toll Road May Wipe It Out By Bill Smith Fort Myers News-Press, Miami Herald, Bradenton Herald, Northwest Florida Daily News, Crestview Bulletin, WKMG Orlando, Destin Log, Apalachicola Times, others Some residents of the Lee County enclave of Alva, population 2,500, are organizing to oppose a massive road-building project that may ultimately eclipse any in Florida's history. Toll road proposal draws out locals in Arcadia By Betsy Calvert Port Charlotte Arcadian Transportation experts mingled with locals in Arcadia Wednesday evening to talk about a giant toll road that could run through DeSoto and Charlotte counties on its way to Georgia. Officials, task force members weigh multi-county road project By Grier Ferguson Sarasota-Manatee Business Observer In May 2019, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance program. M-CORES and other transportation programs are expected to be funded by about $135 million a year starting in fiscal year 2022-23, using portions of motor vehicle license taxes. Opinion columns, editorials and letters to the editor Toll roads threaten to impact Everglades and water for central Florida communities By Ray Christman Fort Myers News-Press “There are no other Everglades.” Those of us in South Florida know all too well what Marjory Stoneman Douglas proclaimed more than 70 years ago. It is a special place well worth protecting. And beginning last year, our state government began again to give attention to this American treasure. Put the brakes on three proposed Florida toll roads By Preston Robertson Palm Beach Post, Port Charlotte Sun At the end of the 2019 legislative session, Florida lawmakers passed a law that will create three new massive toll roads in what remains of rural parts of the peninsula. These roads were not part of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans but were mainly supported by road builders and potential developers. Letter to the editor: Proposed toll road By James Glaser Greene Publishing The toll road that is coming to North Florida will not stop here. Really, only a fool would build a toll road from South Florida that ends in Madison County...If what we want is people driving through our area to stop and spend some money, I believe the proposed toll road is not the right way to have that happen. Florida’s Toll Roads: New Initiatives to an Old Problem? By George Lorenzo Medium Florida might be known as the Sunshine State, but pretty soon “sunshine” might be replaced with “toll” if they keep building more roads with these centers. End not in sight for parkway Editorial Citrus County Chronicle Cheers greeted the Florida Department of Transportation’s recent announcement to place on hold plans for extending the Suncoast Parkway. If you think the “hold” means the parkway is done, you had better buckle up Trump EPA chief to Congress: Cut my fundingBefore being hired for the Trump EPA, Wheeler was a coal industry lobbyist. He previously worked for Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Inhofe, who was long known as the Senate’s most vocal skeptic of climate change. Wheeler was also previously a career staffer at EPA during the 1990s, when he worked in the agency’s toxics office.
https://www.floridaphoenix.com/2020/02/28/trump-epa-chief-to-congress-cut-my-funding/ | ||
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Money for broadband access near Florida toll roads advances in Senate
By John Kennedy USA Today Network With Senate President Bill Galvano’s push for building three new toll roads drawing stiff opposition from communities in their path, a bill cleared a panel Tuesday promising $5 million to improve broadband access for residents near the highways. Senate advances Ben Albritton’s bill to revitalize broadband expansion By Renzo Downey Florida Politics Legislation to revitalize broadband expansion unanimously passed its first Senate committee Tuesday, a week after making the same milestone in the House. Buchanan Wants Panthers Safe As Heartland Parkway Starts By Jacob Ogles SRQ Magazine Environmentalists long sounded alarms about whether the planned Heartland Parkway puts the Florida Panther population at risk. Now, U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Sarasota, has echoed their concerns in a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis. Tracking the Florida panther’s tenuous comeback By Rachel Love Nuwer Salon Excerpt: Meanwhile, roads, which regularly claim the lives of panthers that venture out of their southerly nook, prevent their natural expansion, while development — now the top threat to panthers — shows no signs of slowing. More than 900 people on average move to Florida each day, and Florida just approved three new toll roads that will cut directly through panther habitat. FDOT talks MCORES By Mark Berryman Chiefland Citizen The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) hosted an Open House at the Levy Campus of the College of Central Florida on Tuesday night. The event featured a short film on the M-CORES (Multi-Use Corridors of Economic Significance) and several stations that provided information about all three projects. Norris updates council on Suncoast Connector By Jamie Wachter Suwannee Democrat In 10 years, travelers may have another major path south through Florida. FDOT Community Open House for M-CORES projects Staff Report Citrus County Chronicle The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announces a Community Open House to which all persons are invited. Opinion columns, editorials and letters to the editor Put the brakes on Florida toll roads By Preston Robertson Fort Myers News-Press At the end of the 2019 legislative session, legislators passed a law that will create three new massive toll roads in what remains of rural parts of the Florida peninsula. These roads were not part of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans but were mainly supported by road builders and potential developers. |
Florida panther mortality update
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission sent this bulletin at 01/13/2020 10:22 AM EST The FWC has updated the “Panther Pulse” page with mortality information through January 13, 2020 at 10:15 a.m. This information can be viewed at: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/panther/pulse/ The remains of UCFP374, an adult female Florida panther, were collected on January 9, 2020 in Collier County, Florida (460486, 2920839). The suspected cause of death was a vehicle collision. The remains of UCFP375, a Florida panther of unknown age and sex, were collected on January 1, 2020 on CR 833 in Hendry County, Florida (487362, 2937555). The suspected cause of death was a vehicle collision. The remains of UCFP376, an adult male Florida panther, were collected on January 4, in Polk County, Florida (446286, 3061169). The suspected cause of death was a train collision. Biologists gain valuable information by examining panther remains. Report injured or dead panthers to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). ask Force Meetings Will Plan For New Highways In Florida South Florida Construction & Dev
By Deirdra Funcheon Bisnow South Florida Last year, without much public notice or debate, the Florida Legislature greenlighted the development of three new highways in the state. Officials, task force members weigh multi-county road project By Grier Ferguson Sarasota-Manatee Business Observer In May 2019, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance program. Suncoast groups continue studying toll roads By Mike Wright Citrus County Chronicle Task forces related to Suncoast Parkway projects continue their work this week with meetings in Madison and Levy counties. Toll road task force meets By Savannah Reams ECB Publishing The fourth meeting of the Suncoast Corridor Task Force was held on Tuesday, Feb. 11, beginning at 10 a.m. and lasting throughout the day. Toll road open house Staff Report Perry News-Herald Several dozen local residents attended a Suncoast Corridor Community Open House hosted by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) at Forest Capital Hall Monday evening. Opinion columns, editorials and letters to the editor Make the Wekiva Parkway a Model for M-CORES By Lee Constantine Port Charlotte Sun The Wekiva Parkway — a 25-mile, soon-to-be completed expressway in Central Florida — has become the gold standard in our state for how to build an environmentally responsible highway. Florida Legislature favors political values over family value By Randy Schultz South Florida Sun Sentinel Excerpt: And last year, the priority for Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, was new toll roads. They will get large state subsidies to bring suburban sprawl to rural areas. The Florida Chamber of Commerce is fighting the minimum wage increase but backed toll roads, which will benefit chamber members that build roads and houses. Local resident stresses more should be done to save Florida’s panthers By Carl Veaux, Cape Coral Pine Island Eagle Excerpt: By the way, no toll roads in rural Florida. This equals even more panther deaths.What a waste of these beautiful Florida State official mammals. Our opposition Local & Statewide Leaders Voice Support for M-CORES Program Press Release Connecting Florida As the fourth Suncoast Connector, Northern Turnpike Connector and Southwest-Central Florida Connector task force meetings get underway (to be held Tuesday, February 11, 2020, Wednesday, February 12, 2020, and Thursday, February 13, 2020, respectively), local and statewide voices have come together in support of the proposed corridors that are being studied as part of the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) program. |
