A state appeals court has overturned an action by Florida environmental regulators, finding that state efforts to protect Florida’s bubbling natural springs fell short because they did not adequately take into account nonpoint pollution sources, such as farm fertilizers.
Environmentalists whose lawsuit against an Orange County developer was dismissed in circuit court last week are planning to appeal the decision to gain recognition for a “rights-of-nature” amendment recently added to the county’s charter.
In a novel filing, Orange County water bodies are listed as plaintiffs in a lawsuit being litigated in the Orlando circuit court that alleges the developer of a 1,923-acre site is endangering Lake Mary Jane’s right to exist.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has approved a closure plan that it says will permanently eliminate toxic discharge problems at Piney Point, an industrial site that once housed a phosphate fertilizer plant.
Florida business groups are moving to intervene in a lawsuit filed by environmental organizations that aims to stop the transfer of wetlands permitting authority from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to state officials.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection is facing civil charges from a Columbia County man who says he slipped on an algae-covered sidewalk at Ichetucknee Springs State Park and sustained serious permanent injuries.
Environmental groups aim to launch a volley of civil lawsuits to gain the upper hand on Florida habitat and wetlands oversight issues as President-elect Joe Biden’s administration prepares to assume power in Washington on Jan. 20.
For a third time, defendant companies have called for the dismissal of a long-running class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of Glades residents that accuses sugar cane growers of endangering public health through the practice of pre-harvest burning.
A retired marine biologist has filed a legal challenge against a Cantonment paper mill owner and the state Department of Environmental Protection over a consent order she says is insufficient to protect Perdido Bay against industrial pollution.
In a federal lawsuit against Florida sugarcane farmers, plaintiffs’ attorneys have acknowledged errors in their calculations involving the effects of sugarcane harvesting on air quality in the Glades area.
In a lawsuit that mirrors complaints against other Florida cities, environmental groups have filed suit against the city of Largo, alleging that it has violated the Clean Water Act by regularly discharging wastewater containing chemicals and other pollutants.
The Florida legislature and Orange County appear to be on a collision course over the issue of granting legal “rights” to elements of nature such as rivers and trees.
TALLAHASSEE -- A proposed ban on future hydraulic fracturing operations in Florida cleared a legislative committee this month but opponents see the bill as technologically shortsighted and one that could lead to a gusher of lawsuits.
The City of Naples is standing its ground after a group representing landscape businesses, lawn-care professionals and others vowed to sue city officials unless they revamp its controversial fertilizer ordinance.
Everglades City has been granted part of its motion to dismiss claims filed by a company that says the city owes it more than $445,000 for operating and maintaining a wastewater treatment plant in Collier County.
TALLAHASSEE – Following a 30-year dispute between the states of Florida and Georgia over whether or not Georgia should have to cap its consumption of water from the Chattahoochee River, Florida is getting another chance at reclaiming its rights to the water.
