Environmental Highlights of Florida’s Proposed $114.5B State Budget | Florida Specifier
Florida lawmakers approved a $114.5 billion state budget on May 29 after a special session, following a deadlock at the end of the regular session. Key environmental line items include $638.6 million for Everglades restoration, $425 million for Rural and Family Lands conservation easements, $25 million for the Indian River Lagoon, $20 million for Biscayne Bay, $50 million for alternative water supply projects, and $3 million for Red Tide mitigation.
Florida Legislature Approves DeSantis Property Tax Cut Plan for November Ballot | Fox 13
Florida lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment that would raise the homestead property tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, sending it to November voters. If approved with 60% support, the measure is projected to reduce local government revenue by more than $8.4 billion annually, with critics warning it could force cuts to services and shift costs to renters and businesses.
Dredging Project Near Port Everglades Draws Lawsuit, Environmental Concerns | Local 10
Conservation groups filed a notice of intent to sue the Army Corps of Engineers and National Marine Fisheries Service over the Port Everglades Inlet Sand Bypassing Project, alleging Endangered Species Act violations. The lawsuit cites risks to staghorn coral — now considered functionally extinct in Florida except near Port Everglades — and a breeding aggregation of tens of thousands of queen conch.
Century Seeks a Nearly $700,000 Loan to Cover Wastewater Project Shortfall | NorthEscambia.com
The Town of Century in Escambia County is seeking a $682,136 low-interest loan from the State Revolving Fund after a $1.061 million legislative funding request for a new Motor Control Center at its wastewater treatment plant was not approved in the state budget. A required $408,952 change order to repair the existing MCC created the deficit, and the council voted 4-0 to pursue the loan.
Manatee County Commissioners Split on Path Forward for Piney Point | The Bradenton Times
The Manatee County Commission deadlocked 3-3 on a contract amendment with CIP Solutions to transition the former Piney Point phosphate site into its long-term seepage management phase, with commissioners raising concerns about missing documentation and a $23.4 million general fund shortfall. The board unanimously directed staff to return June 16 with a revised contract that protects general funds and reopens state funding discussions.
The South Florida Water Management District and Ducks Unlimited, joined by FWC, Palm Beach County, and Martin County, completed a 340-acre Cypress Creek restoration project on June 2. Former agricultural land was re-graded to restore natural elevations, marshes, and sloughs, reestablishing Cypress Creek’s historic role as a major tributary feeding fresh water into the Loxahatchee River.
Drought Conditions Remain Stagnant | CBS 12
The latest drought monitor shows only slight improvement along South Florida’s coastline, with extreme drought conditions persisting around Lake Okeechobee and severe drought west of I-95. Forecasters expect continued improvement next week thanks to heavy rainfall from a recent front.
North Florida Land Trust Officials Acquire 860 Acres of Land in Bradford County | WCJB
The North Florida Land Trust announced it acquired 860 acres of land in Bradford County for approximately $5.5 million. The organization is dedicated to permanently protecting natural lands, working farms, and forests across the region for conservation and public benefit.
Invasive Caiman May Pose New Challenges for Everglades Restoration | Boca Raton Tribune 💲
Invasive caimans — a crocodilian species native to Central and South America — have established a presence in South Florida and may create new obstacles for ongoing Everglades restoration efforts. As an apex predator, the species has the potential to compete with native wildlife and disrupt the ecological balance that restoration projects aim to rebuild.
