Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiMarch 23, 2017

A Thursday public notice meeting between Jacksonville City Council President Lori Boyer and VP John Crescimbeni attracted media attention because of the subject line: dredging. However, the subject was not the proposed channel deepening for JAXPORT purposes, but a so-called “zoo dredge.” The problem? Navigation issues from the water taxi and other recreational boats at the dock by […]

Melissa RossMarch 23, 2016

Advocates for the health of the St. Johns River are heading out on the waterway for a 13-day tour. According to the St. Johns Riverkeeper, which is leading the “Save the St. Johns River” event, the Tuesday launch coincided with World Water Day, an international day of awareness for water issues. The event features a team […]

Melissa RossJanuary 21, 2016

Despite statewide pleas to veto it, Florida Gov. Rick Scott signed into law Thursday a water policy bill decried by the state’s environmentalists but loved by agriculture interests. St. Johns Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman joined the chorus of critics blasting the move as one of short-term expediency at the expense of the long-term goal of protecting […]

Melissa RossAugust 24, 2015

Presiding over a new City Council of fresh faces, bullish on job growth and downtown development, and pushing infrastructure improvements in rapidly fraying corners of the city, Jacksonville City Council President Greg Anderson says it’s a new era at City Hall, as his goals align with new mayor Lenny Curry. “I think the communication level has […]

A.G. GancarskiAugust 14, 2015

On Tuesday, the St. Johns Riverkeeper filed a notice of intent to sue the Army Corps of Engineers over the proposed St. Johns River harbor deepening project. The grievances are fourfold. There is, the Riverkeeper contends, “a failure to provide appropriate in-kind mitigation for the environmental damage that will result from the dredging,” as well […]

Mitch PerryJune 22, 2015

As they threatened to do, the environmental movement in Florida is not abiding by the the state Legislature’s failure to comply with Amendment 1, the Water and Land Conservation Initiative in the Florida Constitution approved last fall by voters. A lawsuit was filed in Leon County Circuit Court on Monday afternoon by the Earthjustice group on behalf […]

Melissa RossMay 7, 2015

Florida environmental groups say they’ll keep fighting after an administrative law judge approved a plan for a cattle operation they say threatens the state’s iconic Silver Springs and the Ocklawaha River Aquatic Preserve. “The 9,500 head of cattle planned … will produce nearly 158 million pounds of manure and 11 million gallons of urine per year. […]

Bruce RitchieMay 6, 2015

As I sat in the press gallery looking down into the darkened Senate chambers on the last day of the 2015 Legislative session, I was reminded of how the environment usually seems to lose amid debate and controversy. The O.J. Simpson trial. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Michael Jackson’s death. A police shooting in Ferguson, […]

Bruce RitchieMay 6, 2015

As I was sitting in the press gallery looking down into the darkened Senate chambers on the last day of the 2015 Legislative session, I was reminded of how the environment usually seems to lose amid debate and controversy. The O.J. Simpson trial. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Michael Jackson’s death. A police shooting in […]

Bruce RitchieApril 23, 2015

Language from a comprehensive House water bill was added on Thursday to other environmental legislation in the House over objections from Democrats. The water bill language lacks key components of the Senate bill that are important to that chamber’s leadership, raising questions about whether the move represents gamesmanship between the two chambers. Some environmentalists say […]

Tag: St. Johns Riverkeeper
Photo of Bob Graham at a Rick Scott State of the State address in 2013. Photo via the Florida Times-Union.

Dredging issues remain complex in Jacksonville

The “Save the St. Johns River” tour kicks off

St. Johns Riverkeeper blasts Rick Scott, Legislature over water policy bill

Jax Council Prez Greg Anderson: “We can’t damage our river”

Why St Johns Riverkeeper decided to sue Army Corps of Engineers

Environmental groups sue Legislature for failing on Amendment 1

Environmentalists vow to fight ruling they say threatens Silver Springs

Bruce Ritchie: Environmentalists think lack of legislation could be a good thing

Bruce Ritchie: Environmentalists think lack of legislation could be a good thing

House water bill language finds new home as Session winds down