From UF/IFAS Communications: By: Brad Buck GAINESVILLE, Fla. — When you think of wildfires, you may not think of wetlands. But the seldom-seen blazes may help some endangered species, according to a newly published study by a former UF/IFAS researcher. Severe wetland fires — so rare they occur only a few times per century – also can change
GAO says EPA Violated Federal Law to Subvert Public Opinion
From the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association: WASHINGTON (Dec. 14, 2015) – In a decision today from the non-partisan Government Accountability Office, the GAO found that the Environmental Protection Agency violated federal law in promoting the agency’s “waters of the United States” rule. The decision found the EPA engaged in covert propaganda and grassroots lobbying to support the WOTUS rule. Philip …
WOTUS Likely to Reach Supreme Court
Challenges to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Rule, or Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, will probably end up in the Supreme Court, as it’s just a matter of how long that will take. Download Audio
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on Finalization of COP 21 Deal
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today made the following statement on the finalization of the COP 21 deal in Paris: “The historic COP21 deal supports a better-nourished, stable, secure future for the United States and every nation. Thanks to a coalition of global leaders led by President Obama, our world is now working together to aggressively address climate change with action …
Putnam Seeks Money for Rural Lands, Firefighter Raises
FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA By JIM TURNER THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, December 11, 2015………. Florida’s agriculture commissioner wants raises next year for state forestry firefighters, as well as money to buy and maintain active farm land — items not included in Gov. Rick Scott’s recommended budget. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, outlining his priorities to reporters this week, said he …
Putnam on Water Issues for State Legislature
Water was one of the topics discussed during this past year’s Florida Legislative session and it will be again when they get together in January for the 2016 session. Various groups have already held discussions and news conferences to urge lawmakers to strengthen water-policy legislation. And when it comes to agriculture, Commissioner Adam Putnam recently discussed priorities for the upcoming …
Southeast AgNet This Week: WTO Decision on COOL; Hours of Service in Highway Bill
Today’s issue of Southeast AgNet This Week includes the World Trade Organization’s decision on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), as well as as story on how hours of service are affected by a new federal highway bill. Want to learn more? Click here to subscribe and view the current issue.
Florida NRCS Offering Funding to Protect Various Land Types
USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in Florida wants to remind landowners that funding is available to protect and restore key farmlands, grasslands and wetlands through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program. Download Audio
Sixth Circuit to Consider Clean Water Rule Tuesday
The Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals is scheduled to consider the Clean Water rule tomorrow, December 8. The court will hear oral arguments over whether it has the authority to hear a challenge from industry groups and states to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Rule, or ‘Waters of the U.S.’ rule, otherwise known as WOTUS. According to the
Florida Judge Tosses Part of ‘Amendment 1’ Spending Challenge
FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA By JIM TURNER THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, December 3, 2015………. A Leon County judge Thursday removed a major part of a lawsuit that contests how lawmakers decided to spend money that voters approved last year for land buying and preservation. However, an attorney for four environmental