A roundup of news items related to climate change and other environmental issues in Florida:
EPA puts Florida panthers at risk, judge finds. Wetlands ruling could have national implications | USA Today
The sleek and tawny Florida panther faces constant threats as human development expands into the remaining pocket of its homelands, but conservationists won a key battle last week on the rare cats’ behalf.
The Environmental Protection Agency failed to ensure protection of endangered species like the panther when it handed over its permitting responsibility to the state of Florida, a federal court ruled last week, revoking the state’s permission to issue federal wetlands permits in a ruling that could have national implications.
The decision will serve as a warning for other states considering a similar takeover of wetlands permitting and restore a crucial layer of protection for endangered species, such as the Florida panther, that depend on wetlands for survival, conservation advocates said.
Florida lawmakers agree to use gambling money to pay for environmental projects | News Service of Florida
Legislative leaders have agreed to use hundreds of millions of dollars in gambling money to help pay for further expansion of a state wildlife corridor and other environmental projects.
The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee and the House Infrastructure Strategies Committee last week approved identical bills (SB 1638 and HB 1417) that, in part, would provide $100 million a year for the wildlife corridor, a priority of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples.
Also, the bills include directing $100 million a year for the management of uplands and to remove invasive species and $100 million for a Department of Environmental Protection flooding and sea-level rise resilience plan.
Controversial energy bill sponsored by Tampa senator passes through subcommittee | WMNF
A Tampa Senator sponsored a bill in a state Senate committee that would make changes to renewable energy in Florida. The bill faced opposition from Democratic senators and climate activists.
A portion of the bill would limit creation of offshore wind energy facilities and wind turbines. It’s sponsored by Tampa Republican Senator Jay Collins.
“As for the wind turbines, in the Northeast they do exist. And they exist in other areas. Talk to the locals about the noise, and the sounds, and the effects of those things. I think you’ll hear some less than glowing remarks on wind power.”
If you have any news items of note that you think we should include in our next roundup, please email The Invading Sea Editor Nathan Crabbe at ncrabbe@fau.edu. Sign up for The Invading Sea newsletter by visiting here.
