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Associated PressJune 30, 2016

A smelly, “guacamole-thick” muck is fouling a stretch of beaches promoted as Florida’s “Treasure Coast,” where lawmakers and residents blame the federal government, saying the algae crisis is fueled by freshwater flows controlled by Army officials to protect an erosion-prone dike. The blue-green algae is the latest contaminant featured in yearslong arguments over water flowing […]

Associated PressJune 30, 2016

Officials want federal action along a stretch of Florida’s Atlantic coast where the governor has declared a state of emergency over algae blooms. The blue-green algae is the latest contaminant in yearslong arguments over water flowing from Lake Okeechobee, which is critical to South Florida’s water supply and flood control systems. The Martin County Commission […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 9, 2016

U.S. Sugar officials are pushing back after a guest editorial in a Southwest Florida newspaper said sugar producers are part of the reason why efforts to build reservoirs south of Lake Okeechobee have been postponed. “At no point has anyone representing U.S. Sugar ever said anything about opposing scientifically and technically proven storage projects throughout […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJune 1, 2016

Lizbeth Benacquisto is calling on the Department of Environmental Protection to step up its efforts to ensure clean water is flowing through the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers’ estuaries. In a letter to DEP Secretary Jon Steverson, the Fort Myers Republican urges the agency to work with the South Florida Water Management District and other […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 17, 2016

Relief could be coming for some South Florida small businesses impacted by the Lake Okeechobee discharges. On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott activated Florida’s Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program for more than 100 businesses affected by the releases. The move comes after theFlorida Department of Economic Opportunity conducted a survey to assess the economic damages […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterFebruary 27, 2016

Sen. Bill Nelson urged Southwest Floridians to call state lawmakers and tell them to put Amendment 1 money toward land purchases, a move he said would help ease the effect of Lake Okeechobee releases. “If you can take that dedicated source of funding and, instead of using it on salaries, go spend it on buying […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 12, 2016

A103-St-Lucie-River-Marina-Stuart-Florida-Martin-County-Original-1024x1024.jpg

Candidates who want to keep Martin County different from the rest of crowded South Florida have lost county commission races when two who favor careful growth run against one development-friendly contender. In past elections, the two candidates who support careful growth split the majority vote and the candidate who developers favor coasts to victory on […]

Sally SwartzFebruary 11, 2016

Candidates who want to keep Martin County different from the rest of crowded South Florida have lost county commission races when two who favor careful growth run against one development-friendly contender. In past elections, the two candidates who support careful growth split the majority vote and the candidate who developers favor coasts to victory on […]

Sally SwartzAugust 4, 2015

It’s skunk week in Martin County. Not to malign Florida’s real skunks, but their human imitators have left an odiferous trail countywide this week. On the hit list: A respected environmental group, Martin County government, and residents who have fought developers who don’t want to follow the county’s protective growth rules. The stinkers: Sugar industry […]

Diane RobertsJuly 6, 2015

No doubt you’re wondering what new ways Florida’s alleged leaders have found to squander taxpayer money, suck up to the rich and further foul Florida’s environment. Well, prepare to be impressed: The Rick Scott administration is suing the feds for trying to protect rivers and wetlands. I mean, why should water get special rights: Does […]

Tag: St. Lucie River
Mike Johnson. Image via AP.

‘Guacamole-thick’ algae causes crisis on Florida coastline

Federal action sought for Florida coastline tainted by algae

U.S. Sugar pushes back over claims cane industry is to blame for postponed water projects

Lizbeth Benacquisto addresses water quality concerns in letter to DEP

Rick Scott activates emergency loan program for small businesses impacted by Lake O discharges

Bill Nelson, Curt Clawson promise to help communities affected by Lake O discharges

Sally Swartz: If growth advocates split vote, can conservationist win Martin commission seat?

Sally Swartz: If growth advocates split vote, can conservationist win Martin commission seat?

Sally Swartz: Stinky lawsuits befoul Martin County development fights

Diane Roberts: Top state pols defend Florida’s right to filthy water