The Florida Legislature created the mangrove trimming act, Chapter 403.9321 FS, 1996 Mangrove Trimming and Preservation, in which they defined an exemption based on measurements from the “shoreline”. The intent of the Legislature included the prevention of defoliation of mangroves and the riparian rights of property owners which includes their...
Local Land Use Code Changes
It is time to be vigiliant and watch your county government for land use code changes. Pasco County Florida has made a change to the land use code for wetland setbacks on what they define as significant wetlands (Category 1). Currently the wetland setback is 25 feet which is also a state criteria for wetland setbacks. Until the end of 2011 a variance...
Budget Reductions and The Impact on Environmental Permitting
As an environmental consultant, I have been involved in environmental permitting in the southeastern United States for 32 years. Over the years we have been through several downturns in the economy and changes in state and federal administrations. In all of these situations, I have heard the doomsday predictions for the future state of the environment....
Wastewater to the Tap
There was a fascinating story on “The Morning Edition” today (August 16, 2011) about the power of words. Water supply authorities and engineers are having a difficult time convincing citizens that it is safe to recycle the treated waste water into drinking water. The water supply developers in the Tampa Bay area have first-hand experience with...
