Happy Friday!
Read Will Florida manatees be listed as an endangered species again? Feds to review data. - “In the wake of thousands of Florida manatee deaths in recent years, federal wildlife officials Wednesday announced they will launch a new scientific review to determine whether the animal should be reclassified as an endangered species. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the coming months will round up manatee data and decide whether the West Indian manatee species should be given bolstered protections under the federal Endangered Species Act… the advocacy groups who petitioned the wildlife service pointed to the widespread seagrass loss in the Indian River Lagoon, and across Florida, as a reason why the manatee should once again be considered an endangered species. Between 2009 and 2021, the lagoon lost 75% of its seagrass, according to the St. Johns River Water Management District. Declining seagrass is not unique to Florida’s east coast: Tampa Bay has lost 12% of its seagrass in just the past two years, state water managers found in a survey earlier this year. “We are pleased that the Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes the need to reevaluate its ill-timed decision to downlist the Florida manatee,” said Patrick Rose, an aquatic biologist and executive director of Save the Manatee Club. “There can be no doubt that the Service needs to immediately rebuild its manatee recovery program through increased staffing and funding,” Rose said in a prepared statement. Rose’s organization in November launched the petition along with the Center for Biological Diversity, Harvard Animal Law & Policy Clinic, Miami Waterkeeper and Puerto Rican engineer Frank S. González García…” Max Chesnes reports for the Tampa Bay Times.
Read Preserving ‘Heart of the Everglades’ sparks fuss over access by Florida airboat operators - “Airboat tour companies are clustered around the Everglades the way taxis cluster around major airports. Both are angling to reel in those tourist dollars. But now, some of the tour operators are afraid they’ll be forced out of business by an unusual threat. WBBH-TV had the story last week, headlined: “Airboat industry on alert after state land acquisition in Florida Everglades.” That last part is the good news: For $29.5 million, the state of Florida signed on the line that is dotted, as they say in “Glengarry Glen Ross,” to buy more than 11,000 undeveloped acres in Collier County west of State Road 29 and south of U.S. 41. The people who wrangled this slice of old Florida into public hands dubbed it “the Green Heart of the Everglades… in the meantime, kayakers and other people who’d like to use that property for recreation have hopes of breaking the stranglehold the airboat operators have long enjoyed, Schwartz said. The airboats “are loud, they scare off the wildlife and they’re not compatible with paddling,” he said. “There’s no question that airboats are a high-impact recreational activity.” The state needs to create a no-motor zone that keeps the airboats away from the people who take a less intense approach, Schwartz said..” Craig Pittman writes for the Florida Phoenix.
Read Telling voters no: Commissioners formalize 'right' to divert Conservation Collier money - “Collier commissioners have formalized their right to use taxpayer money collected for land conservation for other purposes. On Tuesday, the board adopted changes to the county ordinance governing Conservation Collier, giving itself the "express power" to use the program's money for "any other county purpose deemed to be in the best interest of the public," if there's a majority vote to do so.Commissioners voted 4-1 in favor of the changes, despite opposition from environmentalists and other supporters of the popular program. Burt Saunders cast the lone no vote… Diane Preston Moore, president of the Collier County League of Women Voters, accused the board of breaching the principles of good government, and disregarding the will of the voters, who have overwhelming approved the program in three different referendums since 2002. She made similar arguments to McEachern's that the board wasn't authorized to transfer the funds and shouldn't try to change the rules mid-game. "The ordinance doesn't contemplate that this would become a slush fund to be used for any other reason," she said…” Laura Layden covers for the Naples Daily News.
Read Controlled burns in Florida now make out-of-control blazes less likely later - “Little fires are being set in the Everglades and surrounding forests this month, in part so that when it gets so dry and so hot in the spring that even shadows are looking for shade, there will be less of a chance of a major wildfire. This time of year, when there is still some moisture in the backwoods, yet it hasn’t been raining every day, conditions are perfect for professional firefighters to light a “controlled” or “prescribed” fire. And that prescription results in a woodsy fire smell and wildfire smoke - but not the kind to be worried about… wildfires only became a problem when people began building homes in woodsy subdivisions. That, and when the policy was to put out every wildland blaze as fast as possible, not knowing what didn't burn then would build up and create a much larger wildfire someday. The Sunshine State’s prescribed burn program has gained such a reputation for clearing out forests for healthy regrowth without (usually) losing control of the fire that wildfire-ravaged states like California have been turning the Florida fire managers for advice.” Tom Bayles investigates for WGCU.
Read Report says better management needed for Florida's wastewater - “A new report says amid the Sunshine State's burgeoning population growth, better wastewater stewardship by replacing aging infrastructure is needed. Florida TaxWatch has released a report on the state’s use of septic tanks and their environmental effects. The report states that protecting Florida’s ground and surface water is essential to public health and supporting population growth. President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro states in the report foreword, that Florida’s water is at risk because even properly working septic tanks are seeping heavy nutrients into groundwater. Florida has approximately 2.6 million septic tanks and drain fields… a study conducted in 2008 by the Florida Department of Health found that over half of Florida’s septic tanks were over 30 years old at that time. Now those tanks are over 45 years old and prone to failure. The report further states that the state research office says in its 20-year needs analysis that significant investment is needed to convert septic systems to sewers. Around $2 billion in funding has already been secured, however, the project still needs an additional $6.7 billion…” Andrew Powell writes for the Center Square.
Read FWC announces Panther Depredation Compensation Pilot Program - “The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is launching a program to help offset the economic losses to Florida’s commercial cattle ranchers from panthers. The Panther Depredation Compensation Pilot Program will attempt to minimize procedural requirements and provide compensation to commercial cattle ranchers who experience loss of livestock due to panthers. Florida panthers prey primarily on white-tailed deer, wild hogs and other wildlife, including medium-sized mammals and birds… to be eligible for compensation through the program, suspected panther depredations occurring on commercial operations will require a field visit from FWC staff. Evidence of panther involvement and the particular circumstances of each situation will be assessed per each visit. If you’re unable to physically produce the carcass, depredations could still result in a payment with adequate supporting evidence of panther involvement.” Nicholas Karsen reports for WINK News.
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