Oil spill researchers gather in Florida as president creates Gulf ecosystem task force

More than 150 scientific researchers from around the nation were gathering Tuesday at St. Pete Beach for the beginning of a two-day conference to discuss oil spill research in the Gulf of Mexico.

Also Tuesday, President Obama signed an executive order establishing the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. The panel, which will have representatives appointed by each of the five Gulf states, will be chaired by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson. (Download the news release by clicking here).

Even though the Deepwater Horizon oil well was capped July 15, scientists say they remain concerned about the long-term effects of more than 200 million gallons of oil on fish populations. A Mobile Press-Register report on Sunday described scientific observations of how some species, such as whale sharks and jellyfish, are recovering.

In St. Pete Beach, the two-day conference is being co-hosted by the University of South Florida and the National Science and Technology Council’s Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology. Bill Hogarth, dean of USF's College of Marine Sciences, said the meeting offers an opportunity for researchers to discuss their findings with colleagues in person for the first time since the Deepwater Horizon oil spill began in April.

"It's good to sit down and talk about it [the oil spill] because it's not over," he said. "A lot of people would like to think it's over. From Florida's standpoint, I still have concerns about the fish and ecosystems long-term."

Future research needs to be coordinated among researchers with government agencies, state universities and private institutions, Hogarth said.

For example, USF researchers over the summer identified a subsurface plume of microscopic oil droplets near the spill site. Hogarth said coordinated transects will need to be established for other researchers to follow-up on those findings.

"There should be some method to our madness -- so to speak," Hogarth said. "I think the timing of our meeting will be very good. I think it should have happened a few months ago but everybody was busy responding to what was happening [with the spill]."

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

Florida Panhandle legislators seek to repeal septic tank inspection requirement

Two Panhandle legislators say they have filed a bill to repeal a new requirement in state law that all septic tanks be inspected every five years.

SB 550 was introduced by Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, in response to concerns about nitrogen pollution of waterways and groundwater. The law was amended by the Senate Ways and Means Committee to include the inspection requirement signed by Gov. Charlie Crist in June.

The bill had support from the Florida Home Builders Association, the Florida Onsite Wastewater Association and the Sierra Club. But complaints about the legislation emerged in July when some Panhandle residents became aware of the inspection requirement.

The Florida Department of Health has estimated that inspections for the state's 2.5 million septic tanks will cost between $100 and $300, plus an additional $200 if the tank needs to be pumped out. DOH and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommend that septic tanks be inspected every five years.

DOH has scheduled a series of workshops around the state beginning on Oct. 12 in Fort Myers on a proposed rule to implement SB 550. But some lawmakers are trying to prevent DOH from phasing in the inspection program on Jan. 1 as required by the new law.

In a Sept. 23 letter, Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview, and Rep. Greg Evers, R-Baker, asked Crist to delay implementation until the Legislature meets in 2011 but Crist refused. On Tuesday, Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, said they were filing bills to repeal the requirement.

Coley said in a statement there was a "clear conflict of interest" because companies that are paid to do the inspections helped craft the legislation. Gaetz said in the statement that the bill "is not supported by scientific necessity."

The Florida Onsite Wastewater Association says the inspections are needed to identify septic systems that already are in violation of state law or to identify homes that have malfunctioning septic systems.

(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.)

Petition drive launched for amendment to ban oil drilling

Environmental groups have launched a petition drive to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2012 that would ban oil drilling in Florida's nearshore waters.

The Florida Wildlife Federation announced the petition drive in an e-mail to supporters on Friday. The amendment is needed because the House in 2009 voted to pass a bill to allow drilling within three miles of the Gulf coast, said Preston Robertson, the group's vice president and general counsel.

"Having something in statute is good (only) until the very next legislative session," Robertson said.

Robertson is also serving as president of Save Our Seas, Beaches and Shores Inc., a political committee that is leading the petition drive. Other groups supporting the effort are Progress Florida and the Sea Turtle Conservancy, according to the committee's website.

After the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Gov. Charlie Crist called a special legislative session on July 20 to put a drilling ban on the ballot in November. But the House and Senate adjourned without taking up any legislation after House leaders criticized the special session as a political maneuver by Crist.

House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, pointed out that the drilling ban already is in state law. And Rep. Dean Cannon and Sen. Mike Haridopolos, the incoming House and Senate leaders, have maintained there won't be a vote to lift the ban while they are in charge.

David Mica, executive director of the Florida Petroleum Council, said the industry is focusing on safety as a priority in response to the Deepwater Horizon disaster.

"There is currently a law in place that prohibits that [drilling] and we think it [the petition drive] is a bad idea," he said. "We don't need to restrict in the Constitution -- or forever -- the potential for oil and gas extraction near Florida."

In 2009, the House bill to lift the drilling ban in state law failed because the Senate refused to take up the measure. State waters extend 3 miles into the Atlantic Ocean and 10.36 miles into the Gulf of Mexico.

"I just think that whether we are to become another oil state or whether we are going to stay a tourism destination is such an important question that the citizens of the state -- we have 18 million people -- should be allowed to vote on," Robertson said.

Organizers behind the amendment will need to collect nearly 677,000 signatures from registered voters by early 2012 to make the ballot. Then 60 percent of voters must approve the measure in order for it to pass.

Photo by Samuel Wantman, GFDL. 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.)

Oil spill claims administrator says location now not a factor

The man put in charge of a $20 billion fund to help those hurt by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill said Monday that distance from the oil spill won't be a factor in deciding whether to pay damages to Florida business owners and residents.

Although oil has washed ashore only in six Florida Panhandle counties, state officials say tourism across Florida was affected by lingering images of the summer's Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Kenneth R. Feinberg, who was put in charge of the independent claims fund by President Barack Obama, told Congress on June 30 that businesses located away from the spill may not receive compensation.

Attorney General Bill McCollum told the Oil Spill Economic Recovery Task Force on Aug. 31 that the federal Oil Pollution Act doesn't include proximity to the spill as a factor in deciding claims. Feinberg told the Florida Tribune in response that he disagreed with that interpretation.

But on Monday, Feinberg issued a statement saying he had been convinced by McCollum, Gov. Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink to change his position.

"After listening to these concerns, I have concluded that a geographic test to determine eligibility regarding economic harm due to the oil spill is unwarranted," Feinberg said. But he added that claimants still must prove that damages are a result of the oil spill and not from other causes.

McCollum spokeswoman Ryan Wiggins said Feinberg's statement doesn't resolve all of the attorney general's concerns but McCollum's office is happy that Feinberg has "finally seen the light."

"We will continue to monitor the claims process carefully in Florida and work with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility to ensure that all claims are processed in a timely manner," Wiggins said.

Crist, Sink and the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association each issued statements saying they were encouraged by Feinberg's statement.

“This is incredible news for hundreds of thousands businesses and employees in the hospitality industry who have been adversely impacted by the BP oil spill across the Sunshine State,” said Carol Dover president and CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association.

The association began holding a series of briefings across the state on the oil spill claims process along with online seminars. To access the schedule go to, www.FRLA.org/oil-spill-updates .

Photo by Samuel Wantman, GFDL. 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.)

Former DEP chief Sole going to Florida Power & Light

DEP's Mike Sole speaks to reporters on June 1 as Gov. Charlie Crist, right, looks on.

Former Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael Sole is going to work for Florida Power & Light Co., according to a Miami Herald report.

Sole will be vice president of state governmental affairs and will be paid $350,000 in salary, stocks and bonuses. He will report to Eric Silagy, an FPL vice president and chief development officer, the Miami Herald said.

After nearly 20 years with the department, Sole announced in August that he was resigning Sept. 10 to pursue other opportunities. Mimi Drew, DEP's director of regulatory programs, was appointed secretary by the Cabinet last month.

Efforts by the Florida Tribune to reach Sole and an FPL spokesman on Monday were unsuccessful.

Sole told a group of House members in August that leaving the department was a "tough choice" that was prompted by the capping of the Deepwater Horizon oil well.

(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.)

Brogan "more comfortable" with Florida's role in oil spill research

State University System Chancellor Frank Brogan said Friday he is becoming "more comfortable" with the possible role that Florida's public and private universities will play in oil spill research funded by BP following an announcement by the company this week.

The company said in May that it was providing $500 million for research into the oil spill that began after the Deepwater Horizon exploded and sank in April. Florida initially received $10 million but the process of issuing more research grants halted in June after the White House told BP to work with all Gulf states in coordinating and funding the research.

Brogan told the Florida Tribune last month that the state wasn't sure who to approach about the research money. Gov. Charlie Crist in July had submitted to BP a request for $100 million on behalf of the Florida Institute of Oceanography. FIO is a collaboration of 20 public and private universities and research institutions state agencies.

On Wednesday, BP announced that the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, a partnership of the five Gulf states including Florida, will administer the research program. A board of scientists appointed equally by BP and the Alliance will oversee the program, called the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative.

The research, BP said, will address these five themes: The distribution and fate of contaminants, their chemical evolution and biological degradation, environmental effects and ecosystem recovery, technology developments and human health.

The independent scientific research, BP said, will be conducted at academic institutions primarily in Gulf states. However, "appropriate partnerships" with institutions outside the region also will be welcome, BP said.

Brogan said last month that Florida institutions were well-situated to play a leading role. And he said researchers in Florida had launched their efforts to track the spill and its effects immediately after it began even before the state received the $10 million from BP.

On Friday, Brogan said he's happy that the state is working with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. "Florida has been a long-term partner in that regard," he said.

But he added, "We are still waiting to see the detail in all of this -- how much money the effort will bring, how that money will be distributed and the actual governing logistics as to how all this plays out."

Paul Johnson of the Reef Relief environmental group said Friday the coral reefs in the Florida Keys have not suffered yet from the spill. But with so much oil remaining unaccounted for, research and monitoring must continue.

"I don't think anybody knows where it is and what's going on right now," he said. "We need research to track that."

(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.)

Georgia senators seek to undo judge's favorable ruling for Florida

Two Georgia senators have introduced bills in Congress to overturn a federal judge's ruling in 2009 that was favorable to Florida in the states' lengthy battle over water.

Alabama, Florida and Georgia have been fighting in federal court since 1990 over water from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system. Alabama and Georgia want water for future growth while Florida wants water for fish and wildlife along the river and the seafood industry at Apalachicola Bay.

U. S. District Judge Paul A. Magnuson in July 2009 ruled that Georgia and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had illegally taken water from Lake Lanier, a huge federal reservoir on the Chattahoochee River north of Atlanta, without authorization from Congress. He gave the states three years to get congressional authorization before water use from Lake Lanier is essentially cut off.

On Thursday, Georgia senators Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss, both Republicans, jointly introduced four pieces of legislation that they said would ensure that their state's water needs are met as the state continues to negotiate a long term agreement. (Download their announcement by clicking here.)

Two pieces of legislation, SB 12 and SB 3911, would authorize water withdrawals from Lake Lanier for municipal and industrial water supplies.

Another bill would allow the Corps of Engineers to include water withdrawals from Lake Lanier in the update of a water control plan for the reservoir. The fourth bill would allow any counties that withdraw water from a reservoir to get credit for the treated wastewater they return to the reservoir.

"It's critical that Georgia, Alabama and Florida come to an agreement on water resources that meets the needs of the three states," Chambliss said. "From a federal standpoint, Senator Isakson and I will continue to explore additional avenues to support the negotiations and make sure Georgia has an adequate supply of water."

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said through a spokesman: “This legislation isn’t going to see the light of day. What’s needed is a reasonable and comprehensive water-sharing agreement that promotes conservation and ensures protections are in place for Florida."

Sterling Ivey, a spokesman for Gov. Charlie Crist, said he would not have a comment on the bills this early in the legislative process.

Andy Smith, executive director of the Apalachicola Riverkeeper group, said the legislation suggests a lack of progress among the states in negotiating a solution. He said studies are needed to determine the river system's ecological needs and its capacity to meet water supply needs.

"It seems like the states are still playing the cards purely to their advantage," Smith said.

(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.)