Flux mapping tool key to treating ground water
By JOSH MORENO, FluxTracer Project Manager, REGENESIS Permeable reactive barriers, or PRBs, are among the most frequently applied remedies for groundwater contamination. Unfortunately, contaminant mass flux, or mass flux (Figure 1), the essential parameter that guides the selection and dosing of amendments used in a PRB, is often misunderstood, leading to poor remedial outcomes in […]
FGUA: Florida, Texas more alike when it comes to water issues
By HONEY RAND, Ph.D. Author, “Water Wars a Story of People, Politics, & Power” Do you know what Florida’s most significant export is? Souvenirs? Oranges? Florida Man Memes? No, No, Maybe; but arguably, for Texas, Florida’s most important export is a governance model. A what? A way to organize and manage government. In this case, […]
Circular economy can enhance climate change adaptation
By KAREN DEETER, Senior Consultant, MSW Consultants An increasing emphasis is being placed on adaptation to the effects of climate change on vulnerable communities, including flooding, drought, heat waves, and poor air quality. The circular economy can lessen some of these effects. According to the World Resources Institute, the extraction and processing of material resources […]
Florida-friendly landscaping protects beauty, resources
By KATHERINE MUNSON, Senior Communications Coordinator, Southwest Florida Water Management District Spring kicks off the 30th anniversary of Florida-Friendly Landscaping, the state’s premier program that promotes sustainable alternatives to conventional landscaping. Florida-Friendly Landscaping provides guidance on low impact, environmentally friendly, science-based landscape practices that use less water and reduce pollutants entering Florida’s waters. Southwest Florida […]
Choo-Choo: Chat GPT concerns off rails and mark (for now)
Publisher’s Note: The following was generated by the AI program “Chat GPT”. In our opinion, the story lacks specific details and is limited by not being able to aggregate any data from the recent events in East Palestine, Ohio. We thought it was an interesting exercise, nonetheless. Here are the results: While railways in Ohio […]
Sustainable design process saves dollars, makes sense
By LEO CANNYN, PMP, P.E., ENV SP, Principal Project Manager, Beryl Engineering & Inspection The number of structures in Florida has significantly increased and some experts are concerned the recent building boom could be damaging in the proverbial “long-run.” Florida has seen a construction frenzy and it is not limited to larger cities. Smaller towns […]
Florida Brownfield Program outperforms its funding
By CHAD NORTHINGTON, PE, Terracon How do you measure the success of an economic incentive program? The term “brownfield” has worked its way into the vocabulary of most environmental practitioners even if their field does not directly intersect the domain. Many would recognize the definition as a site that is real property, the expansion, redevelopment, […]
NWRA Florida Chapter cleans up with national awards
STAFF & WIRE REPORTS The Florida Chapter of the National Waste & Recycling Association recently announced their 2022 Legislative Champions during its annual Legislative Fly-In. Legislative Champion Awards were presented to individuals promoting legislation in support of the waste and recycling industry during Florida’s 2022 legislative session. “Our Legislative Champions always love their unique awards,” […]
Congress deals blow to endangered North Atlantic Right Whale
By CANDIS WHITNEY, Organizer for the Amelia Island Conservation Network As we are in the midst of calving season for the critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whale, I can’t help but think of Snow Cone. Right Whale 3560, nicknamed Snow Cone for her markings that resemble the summertime treat, is a Right Whale that I […]
Compost, organic amendments on weed control have benefits
By RAMDAS KANISSERY and MAHESH BASHYAL, UF/IFAS SWFREC Using compost and soil amendments is beneficial to Florida citrus groves. Florida soils are sandy and have low organic matter and cation exchange capacity. Adding compost and organic amendments (e.g., humic acid) can enhance the soil’s ability to retain water and nutrients. These practices can also boost […]
Lone Star State leads nation in solar capacity at 7.7 GW
STAFF & WIRE REPORTS TEXAS With 7.7 GW of planned solar expected to come online in 2023, Texas is leading the nation in utility-scale new solar capacity. The state also leads the nation by adding 2 GW of new wind generation capacity, according to a U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) report from February. The EIA […]
Tampa Waterkeeper issues a ‘Bad Bill Alert’
STAFF & WIRE REPORTS The Tampa Bay Waterkeeper is keeping a close eye on Florida’s legislative session this spring and has issued a “Bad Bill Alert” for SB1240/HB1197 – Land and Water Management. The Waterkeeper has joined other water quality advocates in opposing the bill now nick-named the “Dirty Water Bill.” SB1240/HB1197 eliminates local government’s […]
