Volume 46, Number 6 - Florida Specifier

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2024

Volume 46, Number 6

Florida’s Environmental News Source of Record focused on news content of interest to the environmental community.

SPECIFIER PUBLISHING LLC

Publisher

Editor-In-Chief

Patrick Gillespie

Staff Writers

BLANCHE HARDY, PG

Senior Correspondent

LINA ALFIERI STERN

MBA, MSRED, LEED Green Associate

Contributing Writers and
Columnists

CHARLETTE ROMAN
South Florida Water
Management District

DANIELLE FITZPATRICK
St. Johns River Water
Management District

EMILY ABELLERA
Florida Fish & Wildlife
Conservation Commission

KEYNA CORY
Florida Recycling
Partnership Foundation

KEVIN DOYLE
Consumer Energy Alliance

NORWIN VOEGELI
Global Ingress

Corps Outsourcing 404 Permitting

After a recent court ruling, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is outsourcing Clean Water Act Section 404 permitting in Florida to SES Energy Services. This transition follows the state’s loss of permitting authority, with SES supporting Corps efforts across a variety of permit applications.

SFWMD Celebrates 75 Years of Service

The South Florida Water Management District marks 75 years of safeguarding water resources and restoring ecosystems. Collaborative efforts with the U.S. Army Corps and tribal nations have advanced key Everglades projects, like the Picayune Strand Restoration and the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual, reflecting a deep commitment to South Florida’s environmental health and sustainability.

Proposed Manatee Protection Areas Would Impact Florida

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service filed a proposed rule in September to revise the critical habitat designation for the Florida manatee, “based on the physical or biological features essential to the conservation” of the state’s official marine mammal.

Tallahassee Prepares for Committee Weeks

The Florida Legislature’s interim committee weeks, set from December to February, will address policy bills, budget requests, and updates on key projects. New leaders, Sen. Ben Albritton and Rep. Daniel Perez, will steer legislative priorities, emphasizing agriculture and responsible governance.

FWC’s Exempted Fishing Permits Allow Anglers to Help Collect Better Data on Red Snapper

With NOAA Fisheries’ support, FWC’s Exempted Fishing Permits allow unique red snapper studies off Florida’s east coast. Anglers can apply quarterly to join these efforts to reduce discards and improve fisheries management practices.

Assessing the Environmental Consequences of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in Florida

In late 2024, hurricanes Helene and Milton significantly impacted Florida’s infrastructure and environment, triggering wastewater spills and pollution leaks across the state. The storms highlighted ongoing concerns about the resilience of critical systems, with long-term recovery efforts focusing on preventing future environmental risks.

Advancing Flood Resilience: District’s Forecasting Model to Expand to Central Florida

In Florida, storm season is a way of life, and with it comes the challenge of unpredictable flooding. The St. Johns River Water Management District’s new Real-Time Flood Forecasting Model provides critical flood risk data up to 10 days in advance, empowering local governments and emergency teams with essential flood prediction tools. This effort, supported by the Resilient Florida Program, aims to make neighborhoods safer and more resilient across central Florida.

Florida Notes

Discover the most recent environmental news and updates in “Florida Notes” from the Florida Specifier. This edition highlights key legislative sessions, upcoming environmental conferences, and important policy changes impacting Florida’s ecosystems and communities. Stay informed about the events shaping Florida’s environmental future.

Balancing Conservation and Flood Protection: Suwannee River Water Management District’s Land Management Initiatives

The Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) implements flood prevention strategies, from selective timber harvests to prescribed fires and vegetation management, creating natural buffers that reduce flood risks. Through these conservation efforts, SRWMD protects North Florida’s ecosystems and strengthens resilience against future flooding.

Celebrating Florida Recycles Day: A Crucial Step for Our Economy and Environment

By KEYNA CORY Each year, the Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation, and the Florida

TECCO Cell Installation is Applicable in Florida

TECCO Cell is revolutionizing coastal erosion management, combining traditional methods with innovative adaptability. From artificial reefs to natural-looking dunes, TECCO Cell’s modular steel mesh system provides lasting protection while supporting ecosystems. Tested successfully in the UK, TECCO Cell shows promise for sustainable shoreline defense, especially in areas like Florida that face rising sea levels and severe weather impacts.

In Other News

This edition covers Florida’s current boating restrictions due to Hurricane Milton’s impact, the addition of 1,300 acres to Little Big Econ State Forest, and a request for USDA disaster aid for agriculture losses estimated up to $2.5 billion. Also highlighted is PBCWUD’s recognition for wastewater management excellence, reflecting the state’s ongoing environmental and infrastructure efforts.

Around the Gulf

Explore Gulf region updates: Texas’s CenterPoint Energy plans infrastructure upgrades, the Supreme Court reviews Texas’s nuclear waste storage case, and Louisiana advances clean hydrogen projects. Meanwhile, Mississippi penalizes a wood pellet plant for emissions, and Alabama faces environmental and safety challenges in energy and mining.