The region’s springs and rivers were left relatively dry in the proposed budget of Gov. Ron DeSantis and any hope for more money for programs and land conservation now lies with the Florida Legislature, advocates said.
Ryan Smart of the Florida Springs Council said a disproportionate amount of money raised statewide for water projects is once again going south to the Everglades.
“Springs and North Florida’s waters are being left behind by the DeSantis administration,” Smart said. “They are proposing $473 million for Everglades restoration, a $150 million increase over last year but not one extra cent to protect springs and rivers.”
The Little Wekiva River is being buried with as much as 5 feet of sand and residents of the treasured Little Wekiva in Seminole County blame Interstate 4 construction for erosion gorging the river.
Scalped Pelicans Found At South Skyway Fishing Pier PUBLISHED 9:41 PM ET Feb. 11, 2021 PUBLISHED 9:41 PM EST Feb. 11, 2021
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More than a dozen scalped pelicans have been found at the South Skyway Fishing Pier in the past month, according to the non-profit organization Friends of the Pelicans.
What You Need To Know
16 pelicans found scalped at South Skyway Fishing Pier since Jan. 9, rescue group says
Friends of Pelicans now has a full-time rescuer patrolling the pier
Total of 600 pelicans rescued – most caught on fishing hooks or stuck in fishing line It sure looks like somebody has cut a square right into the forehead of several of them, said Kim Begay, Friends of the Pelicans Vice Chair. It s a clean edge – literally looks like a knife or a scalpel.
Fort Myers faces over $500,000 in fines for sewage in city water
Published: February 10, 2021 6:58 PM EST
Updated: February 11, 2021 3:33 PM EST
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Fort Myers leaders are negotiating with Florida Department of Environmental Protection after the City was accused of numerous environmental violations that have it on the hook for upwards of $500,000 in fines.
Florida Department of Environmental Protection sent a draft order to the City of Fort Myers because of sewage found in city water.
Mayor Kevin Anderson spoke to us, and he is not happy to learn about this hazard being found.
“Outrage,” Anderson said. “I was highly, highly upset.”
Anderson is fired up over the fact the City faces fines from DEP for 70 different spills over three years.
04:29 PM EST Share The Downtown Investment Authority will consider allowing Iguana Investments Florida onto the city property for environmental due diligence.
The Downtown Investment Authority board will consider allowing Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s development company access to the Shipyards property as he considers the site for a Four Seasons hotel and mixed-use development.
According to the Feb. 17 meeting agenda packet, the DIA board is scheduled to vote on a resolution to give Iguana Investments Florida LLC access to the city-owned riverfront property for at least six months to conduct environmental and geotechnical site due diligence.
The board documents were released Feb. 10.