Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Phil AmmannJanuary 28, 2016

Florida environmental agencies will have about $3.6 billion to spend in the 2016-2017 fiscal year, based on recommendations from the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government. Put together by Umatilla Republican Sen. Alan Hays, the Committee released its budget recommendations Thursday, reports LobbyTools. Among other things, Hays’ budget provides $1.5 billion to the Department of Environmental Protection, $1.7 billion […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 28, 2016

The Florida Senate on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Jon Steverson to be the state’s Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. The full Senate confirmed Steverson by 29-8 after a handful of Democratic senators raised concerns. Steverson has raised hackles for suggesting that the state allow timber harvesting and cattle grazing to help state parks […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 27, 2016

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The state House passed a controversial measure to regulate fracking, despite significant opposition from Democrats who said the practice could harm the state’s natural resources. The House voted 73-45 after more than an hour of passionate debate to approve the bill (HB 191), with just a few Republicans joining Democrats in opposing it. “Yesterday, over […]

Phil AmmannDecember 9, 2015

Florida State Parks have come under fire recently, and the Department of Environmental Protection decided it’s time to “set the record straight.” A new DEP email takes exception with several recent media accounts, each inaccurately “perpetuated misconceptions” about the future of Florida State Parks. “As these stories are being driven by false allegations based on […]

Ryan RayNovember 18, 2015

A House budget panel on agriculture and the environment passed an expansive water policy bill by Rep. Matt Caldwell Wednesday afternoon. The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Committee approved HB 7005 by a vote of 11 to 1, with Democratic Rep. José Javier Rodríguez opposing. The state’s Department of Environmental Protection has signaled its approval for the bill, as did a number […]

Peter SchorschNovember 18, 2015

Rumor has it that a bus load of activists are headed to Tallahassee Wednesday to oppose Secretary Jon Steverson’s confirmation in his first of three stops in the Senate for Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. Their main reason? To stop Steverson from lifting the ban on hunting in state parks. A noble goal, […]

Phil AmmannNovember 13, 2015

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam has selected Steve Dwinell to be director of the Office of Agricultural Water Policy. Dwinell is a 20-year veteran of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, as environmental administrator and has been assistant director of the Division of Agricultural Environmental Services since 2000. He makes $101,391.16 annually, according the […]

Sally SwartzNovember 2, 2015

You could call Jeff Wittman an eternal optimist. The Hobe Sound resident never has stopped believing that a 46-acre chunk of Florida scrub wilderness between U.S. 1 and Alternate A1A, south of Bridge Road, should belong to the people forever. For almost a decade, the land has been the prize in a tug of war […]

Staff ReportsNovember 2, 2015

Department of Environmental Protection Jon Steverson will lead a coalition of allies to celebrate Florida Recycles Day on Tuesday at the state Capitol. Steverson will appear Tuesday morning along with Kim Brunson of Publix Supermarkets and the Florida Recycling Partnership at 9 a.m. to promote recycling, and to encourage members of the public to take the “recycling pledge.” The pledge reads: Learn. […]

Jim RosicaOctober 27, 2015

A high-ranking official in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has resigned. Kelley Boree, who had been director of the Division of State Lands since May, turned in her resignation letter Friday. That letter was provided to FloridaPolitics.com on Monday night after an informal public-record request earlier in the day. Boree did not provide a […]

Tag: Department of Environmental Protection
A sign that reads, Gaza Solidarity Encampment, is seen during the Pro-Palestinians protest at the Columbia University campus in New York, Monday April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah)

Senate recommends $3.6 billion for environmental agencies in 2016-17 budget

Jon Steverson wins full Senate confirmation as DEP head

House approves controversial fracking bill, despite opposition from Democrats

Email insights: DEP sets “record straight” on hunting, privatizing Florida State Parks

Long-awaited water policy bill passes House committee

DEP Secretary Jon Steverson should be easily confirmed by Senate enviro committee

Personnel note: Steve Dwinell promoted to Ag Dept.’s director of water policy

Sally Swartz: Long-delayed land buy now turns to Joe Negron, Amendment 1

Tuesday is Florida Recycles Day at Capitol

DEP official in charge of state lands quits