Five years after discussions began on the issue, a measure to restrict local laws regulating urban fertilizer application was killed Monday in a Senate Committee following the objections of local officials and environmental groups.

By 3-4 vote, the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee shot down the bill (SB 604), which have would set statewide standards for the commercial application of fertilizer within urban areas and prohibited local governments from enacting seasonal bans on fertilizer applications.

Cities and counties that had yet to adopt a local ordinance would have been prohibited from doing so until 2017 under the bill, which would not have affected home application.

The controversial measure has undergone changes as competing interests tried to craft a compromise.

"I come up here with a heavy heart because of the bill's unintended consequences to our environment and our economy," Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah told committee members. "This bill is a job killer."

With tourism pumping nearly $2.6 billion into the Lee County economy, Judah said toxic algae blooms and fish kills send tourists elsewhere Judah said.

"Tourists don't come to see blue green algae, the destruction of sea grasses and dead fish on the beaches."

Click here to read the full story from News-Press

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Satellite tracking of threatened loggerhead sea turtles has revealed two previously unknown feeding ‘hotspots’ in the Gulf of Mexico that are providing important habitat for at least three separate populations of the turtles, according to a study published recently in the journal Biological Conservation.

The two sites, located in the open waters off the coast of Southwest Florida and the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, were found by a team of scientists when they compiled and analyzed loggerhead tracking data.

The researchers' goal was to synthesize tracking data from three genetically distinct loggerhead populations to learn more about how they use the Gulf of Mexico. By identifying the specific location of regularly used habitat, the results provide invaluable information for marine planning and management for this species, whose populations in the Gulf of Mexico are well below historic levels and in recent years have continued to decline drastically in some areas.

The maritime feeding grounds also hold the first clues about how loggerhead sea turtles spend time at sea – which is, in essence, most of their lives.

"Up until now, management actions that affect loggerheads have often focused on their limited time at nesting beaches, or on fisheries regulations," said Kristen Hart, Ph.D., the U.S. Geological Survey research ecologist who led the synthesis. "Our findings open up important new options for marine habitat conservation, and provide valuable geographic data that can be used to strategically locate marine reserves based on the best available science, as called for in the new National Ocean Policy."

Click here to read the full story from USGS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland says he will file a bill in Congress that would put pressure on the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt state rather than federal water pollution rules for Florida.

The Panama City Republican announced his plans Monday on the steps of Florida's old Capitol.

The legislation would prohibit the EPA from adopting its own rules for Florida if the agency administrator determines state rules meet requirements of the federal Water Pollution Control Act. It would not affect other states.

Environmentalists contend the state's proposed rules setting numeric nutrient standards for phosphorous and nitrogen in lakes, streams and other water bodies would be too weak to prevent or clean up toxic algae choking Florida's waterways. The nutrients are contained in such pollutants as sewage, manure and fertilizer.

Agriculture, business and utility interests back the state's version. They contend the tougher federal rules would be too expensive to implement.

Click here to read the full story from the Miami Herald

A bill environmentalists say would result in the giveaway of thousands of acres of state land is likely dead this session, the bill's sponsor said Thursday.

HB 1103 deals with the dividing line between private land and public submerged land. Agriculture groups complain that landowners are required to pay taxes on property along waterways that usually is dry but is classified as state-owned because it occasionally floods.

Environmental groups and former U.S. Sen Bob Graham had urged legislators to oppose the bill. Rep. Tom Goodson, R-Rockledge and the bill's sponsor, said Thursday he thinks there isn't enough time for the House to pass the measure during the 2012 session.

"I would assume right now, sir, you could say it's not going anywhere," Goodson said.

Click here to read the full story from The Florida Current

Free webinar series

FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY LECTURES
St. Thomas University School of Law
Fridays, 9:30 - 11:20 a.m.
Available by remote access

Presented by the LL.M. Program in Environmental Sustainability at St. Thomas Law, Professor Keith Rizzardi’s semester-long series of guest seminars features expert instruction about current issues relevant to “Florida Environmental Law and Policy.” Please e-mail environmentLLM@stu.edu to register in advance for remote access.

Upcoming sessions feature:

Jan. 27, 2012: Strategies to End Overfishing in Federal Waters, with a focus on the Gulf of Mexico Fisheries.

Julie Morris, New College of Florida, provides insights into the policy, rulemaking, and the Congressional oversight process associated with fishery regulation. She will focus on new law and rules to end overfishing in federal waters. She will also discuss recent changes in regulations for Gulf of Mexico Gag Grouper and Red Grouper.

Feb. 3, 2012: Not-so-cooperative federalism? Clean Water Act regulation

James Nutt, South Florida Water Management District, discusses the rise of the administrative state, growing tensions over federal disrespect of local interest. Through cooperative federalism, Congress manifest respect for fundamentally local concerns and an expectation for the Executive and Judiciary to follow. The Clean Water Act is a classic example. With cries that the implementing agencies and courts are increasingly running roughshod over the states’ water and land management rights, is Congress’ intent being met? (This course is scheduled for one hour only, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.)

Feb. 10, 2012: The Unique Laws of Florida’s Native American Tribes

Michelle Diffenderfer, Lewis Longman & Walker, and Kelly Brooks Smith, Friedman & Frost, PL, examine the unique tribal, water and environmental laws associated with representing the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians and the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Feb. 17, 2012: The Lawyer-Consultant Relationship: Petroleum Spill Case Studies

Chris Herin, Geosyntec Consultants, explores the role of the consultant and the lawyer in site assessment and remediation.

We have completely redesigned WaterAtlas.org, the portal to all the individual Water Atlas websites.

There is now more information about the Water Atlas program, its sponsoring organizations, and associated services.

Check it out and let us know what you think!

— The Water Atlas Staff

A years-long lawsuit-fueled dispute over the health standards for Florida waters moved toward resolution Tuesday after lawmakers approved a proposal put forth by the state environmental agency.

A House committee unanimously accepted a measure that would allow the state to apply individual health standards to each body of water.

The changes, which would allow Florida to override federal water protection rules, cannot take effect until the Environmental Protection Agency approves them.

Continued...

Read the full story in the Tampa Bay Times blog, "The Buzz"

A House committee on Wednesday voted unanimously to file a bill that would extend permits from 20 to 30 years for alternative water supply projects.

With Florida facing population growth and increasing competition for groundwater, utility and business groups say new reservoirs and aquifer storage projects are needed to store water during rainy periods. But some environmentalists are concerned about expanding the rights of utilities to use water without public review.

Continued...

» Read the full text of this story in The Florida Current

Contact

Bruce Ritchie, Contributor, The Florida Current / LobbyTools, Inc.
phone: 850-566-4518.

What: 401 Water Quality Certification, a webinar on a fundamental tool of the Clean Water Act: water quality standards.
Who:  Merritt Frey, River Network's Rivers and Habitat Program Director
When: Wednesday, February 15 at Noon eastern/11 central/10 mountain/9 pacific

This will be a 101-level training, suitable for river and watershed organizations, land trusts, tribal governments and wildlife or lands groups interested in better understanding the power of one of the Clean Water Act's core programs. Water quality standards are the building blocks for all kinds of efforts to protect and restore our rivers, lakes and wetlands. Water quality standards establish the uses we make or want to make of our rivers (from swimming to trout habitat to irrigation) and set limits for pollutants and other parameters necessary to make rivers safe for those uses. In addition, standards establish policies that help keep clean waters clean. What will you learn in water quality standards 101?

• The basic components of standards - designated uses, water quality criteria, and the antidegradation policy - and how they can be used to protect your rivers.
• Mechanisms for public input and influence in standards development.
• Where to find your own state's water quality standards, and how to navigate within them.
• Opportunities for improving standards in your state and around the region - from nutrient pollution control to biocriteria development

Participation is limited to the first 40 individuals to reserve their place. Save your spot today! RSVP online at www.rivernetwork.org/forms/river-network-webinar-RSVP.

Note: This is a free webinar. As space is limited, please only RSVP if you sincerely plan to attend.and then make it a priority to ATTEND. The webinar may be free, but it is not without value.

Click here for information about this and other webinars offered by the River Network

Contact

River Network, 520 SW 6th Avenue, Suite 1130, Portland, OR. 97204
phone: (503) 241-3506 .
http://www.rivernetwork.org/

Water School is a 7 week symposium designed to educate the public and community leaders about current issues and future concerns regarding water quality, quantity, and conservation in Polk County.

This year, in cooperation with PGTV, Water School will be available via webinar. If you or your business are interested in sponsoring a webinar, please see the info on their website by clicking on the link below.

Visit this website for dates and schedule