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Financial, Technical Assistance Helps Private Landowners in St. Marks and Aucilla River Watersheds

Dan Florida, USDA-NRCS, Water

Florida private landowners in the St. Marks and Aucilla River watersheds can apply until September 2 for financial and technical assistance from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) for fiscal year 2023 funding. The assistance will help landowners in portions of Leon, Jefferson, Wakulla, Madison, and Taylor counties conduct prescribed burns, remove invasive plants, plant longleaf pine trees, and …

wotus

Florida Attorney/Farmer Shares Thoughts on WOTUS

Dan Florida, Irrigation, Legislative, Water, WOTUS Act

We continue our series on the Southeast Region WOTUS Roundtable, which was hosted by the North Carolina Farm Bureau. Kate English, who is a farmer and an attorney who is also a part of the Florida Farm Bureau, was one of the speakers.  She said states like Florida already have similar water regulations. “In many instances, Clean Water Act regulations …

wotus

Discussion on Water Regulations at Southeast WOTUS Roundtable

Dan Irrigation, Legislative, Water, WOTUS Act

We continue our coverage of the Southeast Region Waters of the U. S. (WOTUS) roundtable, which was coordinated by the North Carolina Farm Bureau with the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers. Farmers and other representatives from several southeast states took part. Pete Hunter is a 50-year farmer from Mississippi and was asked to participate on behalf of the Mississippi …

climate

Southeast WOTUS Roundtable 1

Dan Legislative, Water, WOTUS Act

Roundtables continue on the topic of the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. In June of last year, the EPA and ACE announced their intention to rewrite the rule. It is a concern for farmers, ranchers, and agriculture groups around the nation. The government agencies agreed to allow ten regional roundtable discussions with …

animal agriculture

Cattle, Water Industry Reps Gives Insights During First WOTUS Roundtable

Dan Cattle, Legislative, USDA-EPA, Water, WOTUS Act

WOTUS is in the spotlight once again. Cattle producers representing several states voiced their concerns with the Environmental Protection Agency’s and Army Corps of Engineers’ ongoing Waters of the U.S. rulemaking attempt at a roundtable organized by the Kansas Livestock Association. “Very important to our members are clarity with jurisdictional rules. We supported the navigable waters protection rule in particular …

wotus

Senate Committee Passes WRDA 2022

Dan Legislative, Regulation, Water

Last week, the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee unanimously passed its Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA 2022). WRDA provides improvements for the nation’s ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure. It’s good news for farmers who transport their crops through the infrastructure system and will allow them to remain competitive …

epa

‘Clean and Healthy Waters’ Initiative Proposed?

Dan Florida, Irrigation, Legislative, Regulation, Water, Wetland

(NSF/Tallahassee/April 25, 2022) — A political committee has filed a proposed constitutional amendment that would create a “fundamental right to clean and healthy waters” and allow lawsuits against state agencies for harm or threatened harm to lakes, rivers, wetlands and other types of water bodies. The committee FloridaRighttoCleanWater.org has proposed the initiative for the 2024 ballot, according to newly posted information …

desantis

DeSantis Says Water Bill ‘Much Different’

Dan Florida, Legislative, Regulation, Water, WOTUS Act

(NSF) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said a controversial environmental bill is “dramatically” improved from when he severely criticized the measure during the middle of the legislative session. The Senate voted 33-0 and the House voted 99-8 on Monday to approve the budget-related bill (SB 2508) as they finished the session. While DeSantis wouldn’t say whether he will sign the bill, …

desantis

Environmental Changes Teed Up for Florida Budget Talks

Dan Environment, Florida, Irrigation, Lake Okeechobee, Legislative, Regulation, Water, Wetland

(NSF/TALLAHASSEE/Feb. 22, 2022) — A controversial environmental bill the Senate massaged last week after outcries from Everglades activists, fishing guides and Gov. Ron DeSantis is ready to become part of budget talks with the House. With little comment, the House on Tuesday, took up the bill (SB 2508) and nine other Senate measures and positioned them for negotiations that will …