(NSF) — A proposal to designate $100 million a year of voter-approved money to the Florida Forever conservation program began moving through Senate committees Monday. However, even after past funding proposals failed and as legislative leaders remain vague about future spending, environmentalists are pushing for three times that amount, seeking to match what Florida Forever received annually more than a …
Deadline Extended to Enroll in CSP Grassland Conservation Initiative
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the deadline for eligible agriculture producers to enroll in the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) Grassland Conservation Initiative. The original deadline of Oct. 25 has been extended to Nov. 8. This program, created by the 2018 farm bill, is available to producers with base acreage that has been in grass or grasslands over a nine-year …
Sierra Club Says Addressing Climate Change Urgent
(NSF) — Sierra Club Florida Chapter Director Frank Jackalone warned Friday that time is running short as the state faces the consequences of climate change. “It’s just one minute to midnight in Florida, because the state is at ground zero for sea-level rise,” Jackalone told reporters in Tallahassee as he discussed environmental issues for the upcoming 2020 legislative session and other …
Facts of the Flow: Lake Okeechobee, 2019 Year-to-Date
(SFWMD) — Here is the latest update on inflows into Lake Okeechobee for the calendar year to date. This data is provided by SFWMD’s DBHYDRO database. There has been no back-pumping into Lake Okeechobee from the Everglades Agricultural Area this year. Source: South Florida Water Management District
NCC Applauds EPA Revisions for Pesticide Applications
(NCC) — The National Cotton Council (NCC) appreciates the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to change some aspects of the Worker Protection Standard (WPS) that were finalized under the last administration. EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler made the announcement today regarding the proposal that provides much needed changes to what is called the Application Exclusion Zone, or AEZ. The AEZ is …
Deformed Wing Virus Genetic Diversity in U.S. Honey Bees Complicates Search For Remedies
(USDA/ARS) — Deformed Wing Virus (DWV), one of the leading causes of honey bee colony losses, is much more genetically diverse in the United States than previously thought, according to a study published by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in PLoS Biology. The diverse lineages of this virus are all equally bad for bees, and they make it more complicated to …
Permit Issued for Everglades Road Project
(NSF) — A state permit has been issued to remove a 5.45-mile section of roadbed along the Tamiami Trail that is considered an impediment to the natural flow of water through the Everglades. As plans proceed to raise a section of the 91-year-old road, the permit issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is expected to allow the roadbed …
Parnell Discusses Drought and Disaster Relief
While rain has finally started falling across the state, for some crops it’s a bit late. Alabama Farmers Federation President, Jimmy Parnell, told Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman they are seeing variable crops.
Cabinet Approves Panhandle Land Deal
(NSF) — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet agreed Tuesday to spend $1.095 million for 6.4 acres along the Gulf Coast if the federal government will cover at least half the cost. State Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, noting the Northwest Florida land may be difficult to develop, said he had “reservations” about spending the money without a guarantee …
Rehearing Rejected in Conservation Funding Fight
(NSF) — An appeals court has refused to reconsider a decision that backed Florida lawmakers in a battle about conservation funding. With no explanation, the 1st District Court of Appeal on Monday issued an order denying a request by environmental groups for a rehearing in the case. A three-judge panel of the appeals court on Sept. 9 overturned a ruling by …