NOAA announces Gulf of Mexico grouper fishing restrictions

Federal fisheries managers on Tuesday announced they are imposing temporary restrictions on recreational and commercial fishing for gag and red grouper, two of the most important fishing species in the Gulf of Mexico.

Possible restrictions on grouper and snapper fishing earlier this year prompted an outcry from some state and federal elected officials. HB 553, a House memorial that called on Congress and the president to reduce the economic impact of fishing restrictions, passed the House on April 21 but was never taken up by the Senate.

On Tuesday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced a temporary rule to prohibit recreational fishing for gag grouper in Gulf federal waters for six months beginning Jan. 1. NOAA's Fisheries Service also announced it is reducing the red grouper allowable catch by one-third next year for both commercial and recreational fishermen.

Actions on both species were taken because of declining fish populations, NOAA officials said. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council requested the temporary rule for gag grouper while the council explores long-term measures.

“This was a difficult decision but a necessary action to protect the Gulf gag grouper population,” Roy Crabtree, southeast regional administrator for NOAA’s Fisheries Service, said in a statement. “We hope this is a short-term action and will look to increase the harvest of gag as soon as possible.”

In a House committee hearing earlier this year, recreational and commercial fishing groups criticized proposed federal restrictions on grouper and red snapper fishing while some environmentalists defended them as helping conserve fish stocks to allow larger catches in years to come.

On Tuesday, a representative of the Southeastern Fisheries Association, a Tallahassee-based group which represents commercial fishing businesses, said the federal agency's science is inadequate to support the new restrictions.

"From our perspective until they do the proper science they don't know how many fish are out there," said Bob Jones, the group's executive director. "If they don't know how many fish are out there, how can you manage them?"

(Story provided by the Florida Tribune. Story copyrighted by Bruce Ritchie and FloridaEnvironments.com. Do not copy or redistribute without permission, which can be obtained by contacting brucebritchie@gmail.com.)

Pelham says he's leaving Florida growth agency

By the Florida Tribune

The embattled head of Florida's growth management agency has made it official that he will no have role in the administration of Governor-elect Rick Scott.

Tom Pelham, who has been the head of the Department of Community Affairs under two separate GOP governors, wrote a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist on Nov. 8 saying he intended to resign from his job by Jan. 3.

The move isn't surprising since Pelham recently labeled Scott's claims that DCA was killing jobs as “nonsense.” DCA has been under constant pressure the last several years with some Republican legislators even suggesting that Pelham needed to get a job elsewhere.

On Tuesday, Pelham said he thinks he has accomplished a lot but he said it was a “constant struggle” given the continuing criticism leveled at the agency.

“Playing defense all the time is no fun," Pelham told the Florida Tribune.

Read more at fltrib.com.

Florida Legislature overrides Crist vetoes on environmental bills

By the Florida Tribune

State lawmakers dealt with several environmental issues as they convened for a one-day special session on Tuesday.

Although most of the work involved overriding vetoes by Gov. Charlie Crist, legislators also discussed whether to approve one Crist-backed initiative. Legislators approved $31 million in federal stimulus funds to provide energy rebates for homeowners who bought solar panels, solar water heaters and energy-efficient air conditioning units. Currently a backlog of 13,000 solar rebate applicants are awaiting their payments of nearly $52 million.

Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, said he is “not nuts about the rebates” but “a promise was made to the consumers” and the money is sitting there waiting for the legislature to take it and do the right thing.

One of the most highly contested measures brought up was HB 1565, which would require legislative approval of administrative rules adopted by the governor if they are deemed to have an economic effect. Those opposed to the bill say it will stifle economic growth at a time when Florida suffers from an 11.9 percent unemployment rate.

The Legislature also voted to delay by six months a septic tank requirement contained in SB 550. The requirement that septic tanks be inspected every five years is intended to protect groundwater and springs but has been second-guessed by legislators after hearing opposition from rural homeowners.

Read more at The Florida Tribune.

Florida park renamed for diver, filmmaker Wes Skiles

Florida park officials on Tuesday named Peacock Springs State Park near Live Oak in honor of cave-diver and filmmaker Wes Skiles, who died on July 21 while diving off the Palm Beach County Coast.

Skiles was a member of the Florida Springs Task Force and spoke at a rally for springs outside of the Capitol in February. His films included "Polluting the Fountain of Youth" in 1998 and "Waters Journey: Hidden Rivers," which was produced in 2003 at the request of the Springs Task Force.

“Wes Skiles’ passion for Florida’s environment was evident in his dedication to portraying the wonders of Florida through his masterful imagery,” Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Mimi Drew said in a statement. “Knowing Wes as I did, I’m sure he would be thrilled to have one of his favorite places named after him where it will be a reminder of his lasting contribution to Florida’s environment.” 

Skiles' company, Karst Environmental Services in High Springs, spent hours documenting the cave system at Peacock Springs State Park, according to DEP. A Skiles family member said the naming of the park was reason for celebration.

"The state did a beautiful job of putting together a nice ceremony today," said Jim Skiles, Wes' brother. "The family is extremely honored that Wes' extensive work in creating awareness for these springs will be preserved in the future."

Skiles was discovered dead in the water while filming during a dive for National Geographic about three miles east of the Boynton Beach Inlet in the Atlantic Ocean. His brother said the death was ruled accidental but authorities have not released additional details. A photograph by Wes Skiles of an underwater cave in the Bahamas was on the National Geographic cover in August. (See July 22 Floridaenvironments.com story).

Learn more about Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park at http://www.floridastateparks.org/peacocksprings/default.cfm.

(Story provided by the Florida Tribune. Photo provided by John Moran. Story copyrighted by Bruce Ritchie and FloridaEnvironments.com. Do not copy or redistribute without permission, which can be obtained by contacting brucebritchie@gmail.com.)

Feds unveil tougher Florida water standards

By the Florida Tribune
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized numeric nutrient standards for Florida on Sunday but decided to delay the implementation of the requirements for 15 months, leaving the door open for litigation.

The EPA’s numeric limits -- which were sparked by a lawsuit from environmental groups -- have been set for nutrients including phosphorous and nitrogen in Florida's rivers, lakes and springs to reduce algae blooms and coastal red tide events. The standards are for Florida only and affect five different watershed regions.

EPA officials said they delayed implementation for 15 months to give state and local governments time to review the standards and draw up plans to implement them while the state recovers from the recession.

"After extensive scientific study, multiple rounds of public discussion, and collaboration between the state of Florida and EPA, we’re ready to work together to tackle a problem that for years has threatened drinking water supplies, hurt tourism revenue and lowered property values,” said Peter Silva, Assistant Administrator for the EPA Office of Water

Read more at The Florida Tribune.

Also, learn more at the EPA web site on the new Florida water standards.

Constantine: Lawmakers knew about septic tanks mandate

By The Florida Tribune
As legislators seek to extend the implementation of new septic tank standards during the upcoming special session, outgoing Sen. Lee Constantine sent a letter to lawmakers requesting they back the standards and its timeline, just as they did during the past legislative session.

Under SB 550, the new standards would require that all septic tanks be inspected every five years. The Legislature took up the bill after hearing citizens' concerns about algal blooms, pollution and groundwater over-pumping from springs.

But Rep. Dean Cannon and Sen. Mike Haridopolos have agreed to push the start date of the new program from January 1, 2011 to July 1, 2011 due to recent complaints over the cost to pay for the new standards. That would give lawmakers an opportunity to revisit the legislation during next year's regular session.

Constantine stated in his letter that his bill did not hide anything and that the Legislature knew everything about the standards when they voted to approve the measure by a 30-3 vote.

“Never ... NEVER, was there any intent to hide or cover up this program in the bill,” Constantine said in the letter. “In fact, given the support received from all sides of the political spectrum; from Home Builders to the Sierra Club, my staff and I were proud of the consensus we were able to build on this issue.”

Read more at the Florida Tribune.

DCA chief defends planning agency

It didn't get a lot of attention, but Secretary of Community Affairs Tom Pelham gave an impassioned defense of his agency this past week.

DCA has constantly come under fire in the last few years, especially as Pelham has criticized legislative efforts to change the state's growth management laws.

Pelham, however, fired back at critics when DCA was faulted for opposing a planned animal park in the Green Swamp area of critical concern in Central Florida.

He called it "demoralizing" that public servants at the land-planning agency were criticized for merely carrying out the laws and rules passed by elected officials.

Pelham also called the notion that DCA was "killing jobs" as nonsense, saying it was the economy and not state government that was to blame for a slowdown in development. He said the agency has blessed plenty of projects that have not gotten off the ground because of the financial collapse the last two years.

Read more about Pelham's remarks here at the Florida Tribune.

Enviromental issues a key part of upcoming special session

Florida's two incoming legislative leaders announced on Thursday that they plan to take up several significant environmental issues during a one-day special session planned for later this month.

The list for the Nov. 16 special session covers everything from septic tanks and energy rebates.

Both incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, and House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, agreed to override a number of vetoes by Gov. Charlie Crist after the 2010 session.

They also agreed, however, to approve an initiative Crist sought: approval of $31 million in federal stimulus funds to provide energy rebates for homeowners who bought solar air conditioning units. Currently a backlog of 13,000 solar rebate applicants are awaiting their payments of nearly $52 million.

The two also agreed to delay the implementation of a bill passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov Crist. SB 550 requires that all septic tanks be inspected every five years. The Legislature took up the bill after hearing citizens' concerns about algal blooms, pollution and groundwater over-pumping from springs. Cannon and Dean agreed to push the start date of the new program from January 1, 2011 to July 1, 2011 to allow time respond to recent complaints about the new requirements, as well as to determine the most cost-efficient way to run the program.

You can find out more about the environmental issues that will be discussed at the special session here at the Florida Tribune.