Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiOctober 11, 2016

Among the impacts of Hurricane Matthew: beach erosion, an especially acute problem in St. Johns, Flagler, and Volusia counties. Tuesday, State Sen. Travis Hutson, who represents the affected area, called on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to review the Atlantic coast erosion problem and move toward meaningful redress. “Hurricane Matthew has caused severe beach erosion threatening […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 4, 2016

On Tuesday morning, one Jacksonville City Council panel issued a rebuke to the Florida Environmental Regulatory Commission fast-tracking a decision to weaken water quality standards, to where increased amounts benzene and other carcinogenic chemicals can be released in Florida waterways. On Tuesday afternoon, the Rules committee unanimously approved Councilman Jim Love‘s resolution asking the EPA to consider Jacksonville, in a […]

A.G. GancarskiOctober 4, 2016

In July, the Florida Environmental Regulatory Commission fast-tracked a decision to weaken water quality standards, allowing more benzene and other wastewater chemicals to be released in Florida waterways. In October, a Jacksonville City Council committee (Public Health and Safety) approved unanimously a resolution to express opposition and urge reconsideration of the recommendations sent to the federal Environmental Protection Agency. In doing […]

Scott PowersSeptember 26, 2016

Democratic Florida Senate candidate Linda Stewart Monday blasted Mosaic and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for their delayed responses to the massive Polk County sinkhole that drained fertilizer byproduct runoff into the aquifer. Stewart, running against Republican nominee Dean Asher in Florida Senate District 13, based in Orlando, said the company’s and the state’s […]

Guest AuthorSeptember 22, 2016

Earlier this week, I addressed the Polk County Board of County Commissioners on the recent sinkhole and water loss incident at our New Wales production facility, and believe the updates and sentiments that I shared are pertinent to the entire west-central Florida community. The most important thing for the community to know is that on […]

Peter SchorschSeptember 21, 2016

As for the much-heralded sinkhole at the Mosaic Company’s New Wales Facility in Polk County, readers of the Tampa Bay Times may be in for a shock. Truth be told, both the state of Florida and Mosaic have been much more proactive than they are led to believe. And Mosaic and the Florida Department of […]

Keith MorelliJune 28, 2016

The agency that oversees water resources in a 16-county region stretching between Levy and Charlotte counties along the Gulf Coast has a new boss. The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board Tuesday selected Brian Armstrong as executive director at the regularly scheduled meeting in Brooksville, the headquarters of the district. Armstrong takes the place of […]

Staff ReportsMay 23, 2016

The Florida Ports Council named Niki McKinnell as vice president of public affairs. McKinnell replaces Jennifer Krell Davis who has accepted a position as deputy director of the Office of Public Information at The Florida Bar. McKinnell brings more than a decade of communications and public affairs experience to the Florida Ports Council. She comes […]

Associated PressMay 9, 2016

The city of St. Augustine and state environmental officials are finalizing a consent agreement that will aim to minimize sewer spills. The St. Augustine Record reported Sunday that St. Augustine has had 18 sanitary sewer overflows and spills in the past several months when eight to 10 spills is typical in a year. The consent […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 15, 2016

With much of the nation embroiled in the 2016 presidential campaign, it’s almost understandable that some things in Florida have escaped widespread notice. For those of paying attention, however, they have no doubt been aware of the release of excess water from Lake Okeechobee, a result of historically high El Niño rainfall in South Florida. […]

Tag: Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Travis Hutson calls on FDEP to review ‘severe beach erosion’

Second Jacksonville City Council panel rebukes state for lax surface water standards

Jacksonville council panel pushes back on relaxed state surface water quality standards

Linda Stewart decries state, company response to Mosaic sinkhole

Mosaic’s Walt Precourt: Our community, our responsibility

DEP takes aim at media’s coverage of Mosaic sinkhole story

Personnel note: SWFTMD announces new executive director

Personnel note: Florida Ports Council names Niki McKinnell as Public Affairs VP

St. Augustine, state officials try to plug sewer spills

Beyond the pale: Enviro activist calls for “death of thousands” in Lake O discharge controversy