Capitol Watch for Tuesday, March 16 Florida lawmakers began a 60-day session March 2. (Source: News Service of Florida) By ABC7 Staff | March 16, 2021 at 8:04 AM EDT - Updated March 16 at 8:04 AM
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WWSB) - The following bills are being considered by committees in the Florida Legislature March 16:
UTILITY PREEMPTION BILL PROPOSED: The Senate Community Affairs Committee will consider a proposal (SB 1128), filed by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, that would prevent local governments from restricting the types of fuel that utilities can use for energy production. (9 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
BISCAYNE BAY DISCUSSED: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 1177), filed by Rep. Bryan Avila, R-Miami Springs, that would take steps to improve water quality in Biscayne Bay. (9:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
In another win for Florida preservation projects, the state recorded its first conservation easement of a special grassland and Stetson University helped give it the final push.
Under the National Resources Conservation Service, the 581-acre property, located in Western Columbia County and within the Santa Fe and Suwannee River watersheds, is now considered a Grassland of Special Environmental Significance.
The finalization of the project was announced last Wednesday by Stetson University, in partnership with the Alachua Conservation Trust and the North Florida Land Trust.
With sandy soil that recharges rainwater seeping through the sand and into the aquifer, the property has been kept and maintained by its owners for more than 50 years for quail hunting. Because of the careful preservation and prescribed, controlled fires, more than 243 native plant species have been recorded.
Guest column: Stop sending South Florida s sewage north jacksonville.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from jacksonville.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Updated: March 12, 2021
Nominations are now open for Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award. The industry honor has been presented since 1994 to recognize environmentally innovative Florida growers and ranchers. FDACS needs your help to find the next crop of honorees.
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“We have nearly 10 million acres of farmland, and every acre is an opportunity for land conservation and improved water quality,” says State Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried.
The following environmental practices will be considered in judging nominations for the 2021 Agricultural-Environmental Leadership Award:
Wildlife protection and Habitat Conservation: Provide a safe, vibrant habitat for wildlife within an agricultural operation.
Home/Business and development/High Springs Uses State Partnership To Ditch Septic Tanks And Strive For Cleaner Springs
Suwannee River Water Management District Senior Project Manager Kris Eskelin says of the High Springs collaboration, “everything that we’ve seen has been very positive. (Courtesy of the Suwannee River Water Management District)
High Springs Uses State Partnership To Ditch Septic Tanks And Strive For Cleaner Springs
By Valerie Izquierdo
March 12, 2021
High Springs has worked to modernize its wastewater system and preserve some of Florida’s natural resources for the past two decades. However, the city has seen the most progress to protect its springs over the past two years. The city, home to around 6,000 people, began a project to help residents switch from septic tanks to a sewer system.