Billion-Dollar Cleanup Effort Underway on Treasure Coast to Protect Indian River Lagoon | CBS12
A major cleanup effort is underway on the Treasure Coast to reduce polluted runoff entering the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River. Led by the South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the project captures and treats stormwater before it reaches sensitive waterways to reduce sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus loads.
Steinhatchee Focuses on Long-Term Recovery as Hurricane Funding Announced | WCJB
Local leaders in Steinhatchee are directing new state funding toward long-term road improvement and water relief projects following two active hurricane seasons. Officials say the funds will help strengthen infrastructure and support community resilience against future storms.
DeSantis Awards $168M to Rural Communities for Infrastructure Improvements | Florida Politics
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced nearly $168 million in grants for small and rural counties to improve critical infrastructure, with projects focused on wastewater systems, stormwater upgrades, and community resilience. The funding targets areas heavily impacted by recent hurricanes.
Planning for Tomorrow: Sanibel Completes Island-Wide Vulnerability Assessment | Florida Weekly
The City of Sanibel completed a comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment evaluating how rising sea levels, storm surge, and flooding could impact the island’s infrastructure and public assets. Developed with consultants Cummins Cederberg and funded by a Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant, the study fulfills new state requirements and provides detailed mapping to guide future resilience planning and infrastructure upgrades.
Legislation Introduced to Remove Kirkpatrick Dam, Restore Ocklawaha River | WCJB
A new bill introduced in the Florida Legislature would remove the Kirkpatrick Dam, drain the Rodman Reservoir, and restore the natural flow of the Ocklawaha River. The proposal aims to reconnect Silver Springs to the St. Johns River, reviving a decades-long debate over whether to prioritize environmental restoration or preserve the reservoir’s popularity as a bass fishing destination.
Garney Breaks Ground on $505.7M Florida Water Project | Construction Dive
Garney Construction has begun work on the $505.7 million South Hillsborough Pipeline, a 26-mile potable water project on Florida’s Gulf Coast — the largest in Tampa Bay Water’s history. The project will use innovative tunneling technology to expand water delivery capacity and strengthen system resilience as the region experiences rapid population growth.
Florida’s Bear Hunt Resulted in 52 Bears Killed | WFSU
Florida’s first black bear hunt in nearly a decade ended with hunters killing 52 bears across the state, according to data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The agency reported that more than 800 permits were issued, though some hunting zones closed early after reaching harvest limits. Officials said the hunt was intended to manage bear populations and reduce human-bear conflicts.
Manatees at Risk from Cold, Pollution and Herbicides | Lake Okeechobee News 💲
Manatee deaths are rising again in Florida, according to new data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Wildlife officials are monitoring conditions and potential contributing factors.
The Environmental Protection Agency is advancing a proposal that would restrict how it uses new scientific research and testing data when setting air pollution standards. The change could make it more difficult for the agency to update regulations as new emissions evidence emerges.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the publication of the 2026 Nationwide Permits in the Federal Register. The final action includes 56 reissued and one new permit authorizing certain activities in streams, wetlands, and other waters of the United States under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.
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