By: Lloyd Dunkelberger TALLAHASSEE — In a victory for Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the nation’s third-largest state should be given another chance to prove its case that overconsumption of water in Georgia is damaging the Apalachicola River system. The 5-4 decision, written by Justice Stephen Breyer, overturned a 2017 recommendation by a court-appointed special master that found …
Commissioner Adam Putnam’s Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Decision
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Supreme Court “water war” decision: “After a raging wildfire destroyed the homes and livelihoods of dozens of families this weekend, the Apalachicola Bay community needed some good news. Today’s Supreme Court decision is a victory for Floridians. For decades, we’ve fought on every …
BREAKING NEWS: Florida Wins Round in ‘Water War’
In a victory for Florida, the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday sent the state’s “water war” with Georgia back to a special master for further consideration. The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, said Special Master Ralph Lancaster used “too strict a standard” in recommending that Florida be denied relief in its long-running claim that overconsumption of water in Georgia …
Georgia Ag Commissioner Applauds Injunction Blocking Enforcement of ‘WOTUS’ Rule
Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black is applauding action recently taken by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia to grant a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the burdensome Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. “This rule was a blatant overreach of the federal government,” Commissioner Black said. “We are pleased that the courts clearly saw the irreparable …
Farm Bureau Hails District Court WOTUS Decision
American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall made the following statement on the recent federal district court ruling regarding the 2015 Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule: “A federal district court ruling in Georgia late last week has effectively suspended the flawed ‘Waters of the United States’ rule from taking effect in 11 more states that challenged its legality. …
Water Policy Key for Next Agriculture Commissioner
Maintaining Florida’s water supply, while balancing the growing needs of residents, farmers, tourists and businesses, is a priority for the candidates seeking to replace Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. The issue involves helping preserve diverse ecosystems, such as the Everglades and natural springs, without scuttling the economy. Candidates for agriculture commissioner are putting forward a variety of ideas, from continuing …
ARS Scientists Are Working to Ensure Safe Waterways in Georgia
Scientists with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are developing ways to identify the sources of any potentially harmful bacteria found in the surface waters around Athens, Georgia. The effort is part of an ongoing project to ensure the quality of the area’s waterways, according to Jonathan Frye, an ARS microbiologist in Athens. Volunteers have been collecting water in the Upper Oconee …
Farm Bureau Files Brief Supporting Water Rule Opponents
The American Farm Bureau Federation, together with a broad coalition of other farm and business groups, filed a brief in support of 13 states challenging the EPA’s 2015 “Waters of the United States” rule before a federal district court in North Dakota. The brief explains how EPA repeatedly broke the law in writing a rule that would vastly expand its …
Georgia Governor Signs Agribusiness Legislation into Law
With a long list of legislation impacting agribusiness, Georgia Governor Deal never hesitated in signing every one of them. We are grateful for the legislators and Governor Deal for their support of our state’s ag and forestry interests. Here’s the quick summary of new ag laws starting July 1, 2018: GATE: Much needed changes to the GATE program are included in HB …
EWP Program Funding Helps in Aftermath of Hurricanes
Hurricane season is officially underway, and forecasters are predicting another busy season this year. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants landowners to know that if your area does suffer damage from a natural disaster, the Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) can help. Program Funding Helps in Aftermath of Hurricanes Sponsored ContentWhat Sets Provysol® Fungicide ApartJuly 8, 2025CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2025Nuseed Carinata Covers …