The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Army (Army) are proposing a clear, understandable and implementable definition of “waters of the United States” that clarifies federal authority under the Clean Water Act. Unlike the Obama administration’s 2015 definition of “waters of the United States,” today’s proposal contains a straightforward definition that would result in significant cost …
Desantis Transition Panel Weighs Water Issues
Money set aside annually for the restoration of the Everglades and other waterways should also help end the use of septic tanks, a former House speaker suggested Monday as a panel considered potential environmental policies for Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis. Former Speaker Steve Crisafulli said the incoming governor should tap the “Legacy Florida” funding to aid conversions from septic tanks to …
Hoping for Farm Bill and WOTUS News this Week
Many people are anxiously waiting to hear if the 2018 Farm Bill  could be completed this week. And as Tyron Spearman reports, we could also possibly learn more concerning the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. Sponsored ContentPropane Education and Research Council Shares Opportunities For Ag ProducersDecember 31, 2025Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Significant Support For ResearchDecember 19, 2025Florida Cattle …
WRAC Discusses EAA Reservoir
The Water Resources Analysis Coalition (WRAC) held a public forum this morning along with some board members of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Brandon Tucker, governing board member of SFWMD and WRAC facilitator says he was happy with how the forum went and the discussions that took place. One hot topic during the forum was the Everglades Agricultural …
Deadlines Set in Florida-Georgia ‘Water War’
Florida and Georgia will have until the end of January to file new arguments in the legal fight over water use impacting the Apalachicola River system, a special master said this week. Paul J. Kelly, a senior judge on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals who is serving as special master, set a Jan. 31 deadline for the initial …
Water Woes Become a Political Wildcard
Throughout the summer, politicians heard from Floridians angered by the latest bouts of toxic blue-green algae in the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers, along with a festering red-tide outbreak on the Gulf Coast. Protesters focused on the state’s handling of rising sea levels, a limited acknowledgement of climate change and past actions by Gov. Rick Scott such as reducing funding …
Trump Signs Off on Major Reservoir Project
Construction of a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee that state lawmakers envision as a way to help a region beset by toxic algae blooms was part of a wide-ranging water bill signed Tuesday by President Donald Trump. The $6 billion America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 includes authorization for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin work on a …
Throw Out Water Rule, Farm Bureau, Others Tell Texas Court
A 2015 rule that expands the federal government’s control over private land nationwide should be vacated in its entirety, attorneys argued in papers filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. AFBF and a broad coalition of business groups, along with the state of Texas and others, are suing to do away with the 2015 “Waters …
EAA Farmers, Inc. Issues Statement on Federal Authorization of EAA Reservoir
A statement from Danielle Alvarez, spokesperson for EAA Farmers, Inc., following the federal approval of the EAA reservoir: “Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) farm families are pleased that the EAA reservoir will be achieved in a way that will accomplish restoration goals while also protecting homegrown food supply. Restoration has been a tremendous success south of Lake Okeechobee and serves as proof that …
Florida and Georgia Renew Water Wars
Florida and Georgia have renewed their fight over the impact of Georgia’s water consumption on the Apalachicola River system. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in late June that Florida be given another chance to prove its case that Georgia’s overconsumption of water is damaging the Apalachicola region, the states filed a joint legal pleading this week before a federal …