In the article "Wetlands Division A Redundancy," Tampa Tribune, March 21, Keith Bricklemyer lays out a case against the Environmental Protection Commission's wetlands protection program, stating there is no documentation of facts showing the program's success. The "absence" of these facts causes Bricklemyer to infer that the longevity of EPC's program is fueled by long-term emotional rhetoric. Our guess is, since the "facts" contained in Bricklemyer's article are, at best, misleading and mostly incorrect, that he himself has been overcome by emotion. ...more

March 31, 2009

A Tampa Bay area lawmaker has filed legislation that could stall or even stop Florida from sealing its historic deal with U.S. Sugar to purchase the Everglades for restoration. ...more

February 18, 2009

A Tampa-Bay lawmaker has filed legislation that could stall or even stop Florida from sealing its historic deal with U.S. Sugar to purchase the Everglades for restoration. ...more

February 17, 2009

If your home mortgage is federally insured - and most are - and you live in a flood-prone area, you may have to buy flood insurance. ...more

July 11, 2008

Just like a little success or winning makes a lot of problems go away, the same holds true when the rains finally come to a drought-stricken area. ...more

July 3, 2008

You'll learn this month whether you can turn on your sprinklers an extra day each week. In the meantime, while you're watching the grass grow browner and waiting for water managers to make their decision June 24, consider this: You've got it tougher than anyone else in Florida. ...more

June 6, 2008

The health of the state's economy is at stake if the agriculture industry continues to be threatened by one of the most severe droughts in history. Additionally, industry and high growth rates continue to create increased demand for water. ...more

February 10, 2008

DAYTONA BEACH – Being economically viable while sustaining the environment is possible and Butler Oaks Farm and Buck Island Ranch are shining examples. Butler Oaks in Lorida and Buck Island near Lake Placid were two of four agricultural operations in the state recognized Friday for their leadership in promoting progressive environmental practices during the Florida Farm Bureau Federation's annual meeting. Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson presented the 2007 Commissioner's Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Awards at the Daytona Beach Hilton. Nominations for the awards were received earlier this year by a screening committee composed of scientific and technical experts with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which selected the finalists. ...more

October 14, 2007