everglades

South Florida Water Managers Debate BMPs, Discuss New Regulations

Dan Editorial, Florida, Lake Okeechobee, Water

by Gary Cooper In this new atmosphere of starting over from scratch with South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) leadership, a growing number of people in agriculture are asking more often and more loudly, “What’s going on?” Agriculture appears to be under the microscope, some say more like under attack, as a fast-growing urban sector reacts to what they don’t …

water

Fact Checking South Florida’s Water Politics – What Got Us Here?

Dan Editorial, Florida, Lake Okeechobee

by Gary Cooper Roots of Algae Debate Show Political Rhetoric Trumping the Facts Politically driven actions in recent months have undeniably brought major upheaval and confusion in South Florida’s water management circles. More than eight million people who are living in and invested in South Florida are directly impacted by these decisions in one way or another. Misinformation swirls about …

redistricting plan

Ten Big Issues from the 2019 Session

Dan Economy, Education, Environment, Florida, Industry News Release, Lake Okeechobee, Legislative, Water

Florida lawmakers finished the 2019 legislative session Saturday by passing a budget for the upcoming year. During the two-month session, lawmakers considered hundreds of bills and made more than $90 billion in spending decisions. It also was the first session for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and began the two-year terms of Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and House Speaker Jose …

conservation

Political Wrangling Over Conservation Program Could Exacerbate Florida Algae Issues

Dan Cattle, Environment, Field Crops, Florida, Industry Videos-Promoting Agriculture, Lake Okeechobee, Legislative, Livestock, Specialty Crops, Water

by Gary Cooper In weekend budget talks, lawmakers slash funding for a key land and water conservation program that is vital to restoring Florida’s waterways. Florida’s Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) is a budget casualty. This program has a 20-year track record of success in preserving green space in perpetuity, while keeping farmland on the tax rolls. Program …