Plan to Reunite the St. Johns and Ocklawaha Rivers Clears the Florida House | Action News Jax
The Florida House voted 107-3 to approve a bill requiring removal of the Kirkpatrick Dam by 2032, which has separated the Ocklawaha and St. Johns Rivers for nearly 60 years. Supporters say removal will restore freshwater flow and uncover submerged springs, while opponents argue the reservoir has become a valuable bass fishery and economic driver for Putnam County.
The Florida House voted 110-0 to approve HB 4091, creating the University Town Center Improvement District in Manatee and Sarasota counties to coordinate stormwater and flood-control infrastructure in a fast-growing commercial corridor. The district will be governed by a landowner-elected board and can only take effect if a majority of eligible landowners approve it within 20 days of the bill becoming law.
Proposed Data Center in Indiantown Would Impact Wetlands and Protected Species, Records Show | WPTV
A proposed 2-million-square-foot AI data center in Indiantown would be built on a site where 40% of the land is wetlands, with protected species including wood storks, sandhill cranes, gopher tortoises, and a bald eagle nest documented on the property. Wildlife advocates say the rural location near three wildlife management areas makes it the “wrong place” for the project.
Daytona Beach’s Shoreline Tops Beach Management Risk Assessment Study | Observer Local News
A Volusia County risk assessment ranked Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, and Wilbur-by-the-Sea as the highest-risk shorelines along the county’s 47-mile coastline, with some areas losing up to eight feet of beach per year. Officials recommended beach nourishment as the best management option, noting the county’s beach tourism industry generates $4.3 billion annually and supports over 31,400 jobs.
Apalachicola Riverkeeper Completes Historic Slough Restoration Project | Tallahassee Democrat
Apalachicola Riverkeeper has completed a six-year, $4.7 million project to restore three river sloughs by removing sediment from decades of Army Corps of Engineers dredging, restoring historic freshwater flow to East Bay and the surrounding floodplain. The project is expected to improve water quality, support fisheries, and deliver vital nutrients to Apalachicola Bay.
A Massive Climate Resilience Program Is Escaping Florida’s DOGE Purge | Yale Climate Connections
Florida’s Resilient Florida grant program, which has distributed over $1 billion to local governments for flood and sea-level rise projects, has survived the state’s DOGE-inspired spending cuts and been reauthorized without opposition. The program will now be funded at $150 million annually through the Seminole gaming compact with no expiration date.
Expert Reveals Impressive Benefits of Pairing Solar Panels with Agriculture: ‘The Future’ | MSN
Farmer and author Rebekah Pierce advocates for “agri-energy,” combining agriculture and renewable energy on the same land to keep farms financially viable while accelerating the shift away from fossil fuels. Pierce argues the approach can also stabilize food prices, protect open land from permanent development, and help younger farmers enter the field.
Heading to Florida Beach over Spring Break? Check Water Quality First | Daytona Beach News-Journal
With spring break drawing visitors to Florida beaches, checking current water quality conditions beforehand is advised, as active health concerns including red tide, blue-green algae, and enteric bacteria have been reported at various locations around the state. The Florida Department of Health and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have issued guidance and current advisories on affected areas.
Florida Program Promised More Hurricane-Hardy Homes. Has the State Delivered? | Tampa Bay Times
Florida’s Elevate Florida program, designed to help homeowners harden properties against hurricanes after storms like Helene, has left many applicants waiting more than a year for answers on funding. The program has faced slow progress in distributing assistance to residents still working to recover from hurricane damage.
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