desantis

DeSantis Outlines Second-Term Environmental Plans

Dan Agri-Business, Conservation, Environment, Florida, Funding, Irrigation, Legislative, Water, Wetland

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/Jan. 10, 2023) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced plans Tuesday to spend $3.5 billion in his second term on environmental projects such as restoring the Everglades and addressing water-quality problems. “This may be a bigger, more comprehensive executive order than we did four years ago. But I think that’s the right thing to do,” DeSantis, who was re-elected in …

wotus rule

Ag Reacts to EPA, Army WOTUS Rule

Dan American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), Irrigation, Legislative, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), USDA-EPA, Water, Wetland, WOTUS Act

NCBA Statement On New WOTUS Rule (NCBA/WASHINGTON/December 30, 2022) — The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) issued the following statement on the Biden administration’s finalized Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. “For too long, farmers and ranchers have dealt with the whiplash of shifting WOTUS definitions. Today, the Biden administration sought to finalize a WOTUS definition that will protect both …

epa

EPA and Army Finalize Rule Establishing Definition of WOTUS

Dan Irrigation, Legislative, USDA-EPA, Water, Wetland, WOTUS Act

In an issue of contention across the ag industry, and on the opposite side, environmental groups alike, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers have announced a final rule establishing a durable definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). In a news release, the EPA and Army state that it will reduce uncertainty from changing regulatory …

court

Court Urged to Hear Apalachicola Water Fight

Dan Florida, Irrigation, Water

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE, FL/December 20, 2022) — In the latest round of battles about the Apalachicola River, environmental groups are asking a federal appeals court to hear arguments in a challenge to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decisions that affect water flowing into the Northwest Florida river. The National Wildlife Federation, the Florida Wildlife Federation and the Apalachicola Bay and River Keeper …

assistance

USDA Extends Time to Request Emergency Watershed Protection Assistance in Florida

Dan Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, Florida, USDA-NRCS, Water

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS) in Florida has  announced it has granted a waiver to extend the time for a sponsor to request Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) assistance from 60 days to 120 days after Hurricane Ian. The deadline for a sponsor to request assistance for Hurricane Ian is January 27, 2023. A sample letter of request for EWP assistance is available for …

Emergency Watershed Protection

Florida NRCS Helping Communities through EWP

Dan Conservation, Economy, Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program, Environment, Irrigation, USDA-NRCS, Water

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Florida wants to pass along information about the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program. After a natural disaster like Hurricane Ian, through EWP NRCS offers help to alleviate hazards to life and property. Florida NRCS State Conservationist, Juan C. Hernandez, explains who this program is designed for. Public and private landowners are eligible for assistance, but must …

wrep

Deadline Nearing for Partners to Apply for WREP Funding in Georgia

Dan Georgia, USDA-NRCS, Wetland

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia wants to pass along this reminder. They are investing in fiscal 2023 to help conservation partners protect and restore critical wetlands through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). NRCS is prioritizing proposals that support efforts to mitigate climate change by restoring wetlands while also prioritizing assistance to underserved communities. But, proposals are due by Sept. 23, …

wrep

USDA Investing in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program in Georgia

Dan Conservation, Environment, Georgia, USDA-NRCS, Water, Wetland

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced this month it is investing up to $5 million in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP). This grant program supports the development of mitigation banks for use by agricultural producers seeking to maintain eligibility for USDA programs. Funds are available to Tribes, state and local government entities, nonprofits and other organizations. Since 2016, USDA’s Natural Resources …

wetland

USDA to Invest $5 Million in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program

Dan USDA-NRCS, Water, Wetland

Last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is investing up to $5 million in the Wetland Mitigation Banking Program (WMBP). This grant program supports the development of mitigation banks for use by agricultural producers seeking to maintain eligibility for USDA programs. Funds are available to Tribes, state and local government entities, nonprofits and other organizations. “Our goal is to …

Water Conservation

New Water Conservation System Practice Approved in Florida

Dan Conservation, Florida, USDA-NRCS, Water

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has approved a new conservation practice. It is a Water Conservation System commonly known as an Evaporative Cooling Pad that will help reduce water and energy while improving plant productivity. This conservation practice is available for Florida nursery operations and existing greenhouses, and can also be used for cooling livestock and poultry facilities. …