From the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: WASHINGTON (Jan. 27, 2017) – Earlier this week, landowners scored a victory when a federal district court ruled against the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for incorrectly claiming jurisdiction over private property. The Corps had claimed a piece of property owned by Hawkes Company, and used by Hawkes to harvest peat, was a “waters …
Commissioner Putnam Seeks Nominations for Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award
From the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam is now accepting nominations for the Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award, which has been presented annually since 1994 to environmentally innovative Florida farmers. The award recognizes enterprises that demonstrate leadership in developing and implementing progressive techniques to safeguard the environment and conserve natural resources. Nominations …
Negron Water Storage Plan Teed Up in Senate
by Jim Turner, News Service of Florida A measure to bond $100 million a year in voter-approved dollars for the purchase of 60,000 acres of farmland south of Lake Okeechobee — land that owners have expressed an unwillingness to sell — was introduced Thursday in the Senate.
Lawmakers Balk at Legal Fees in ‘Water Wars’
News Service of Florida Florida’s costly, complicated lawsuit against Georgia over regional water use reached another milestone Tuesday without any sign of resolution, as state lawmakers balked at escalating legal fees in the case that could reach $41 million this year.
UF/IFAS Study: Voters Want to Preserve Forests, Water
by Brad Buck, UF/IFAS Sources: Melissa Kreye, Damian Adams, UF/IFAS Voters are likely to approve referenda for forest and water conservation in the eastern United States, including Florida, because demand for ecosystem protection is increasing, according to a new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences study.
Lawmakers Want Money for North Florida Waterways
From: News Service of Florida A coalition that includes two state House members and a former congressman announced Monday it will fight for money to protect waterways in North Florida as Senate President Joe Negron tries to move forward with an ambitious proposal to spend heavily on cleaning waters in South Florida.
Efforts for a Withdrawal of WOTUS Rule Continue
The Environmental Protection Agency’s “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule has been back in the news again lately. With the new administration taking over, some are looking forward to hopefully seeing a possible withdrawal of it. But legal action against the rule continues, and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Environmental Counsel Scott Yager gives an update on where that currently …
Georgia Agribusiness Council Following Water Fight
January 24 is the deadline given to Georgia and Florida by a special master appointed by the U.S. Supreme Court to reach a framework for settlement in their legal fight over water rights. According to Georgia Agribusiness Council President Bryan Tolar, the Georgia General Assembly is waiting to see how that all comes out.
LEGAL FEES SOAR IN FLORIDA-GEORGIA WATER WAR
From: News Service of Florida Legal fees in Florida’s costly water war with Georgia have escalated to $41 million, with the Department of Environmental Protection asking for a $13 million transfer to cover some of the expenses. The request will be considered Tuesday by the Joint Legislative Budget Commission. The fees represent Florida’s cost in hiring lawyers to make its …
Alabama Wary About Florida-Georgia Water Talks
From: News Service of Florida As Florida and Georgia try to settle a complicated water-use dispute this month, Alabama has filed a letter saying it may need to intervene if its water resources are impacted.