The state of Florida is uder a state of emergency due to over 116,000 acres of wildfires currently burning across the state. Combined with high drought levels, the fires present potential risks to the region and the state of emergency allows agencies to prepare for the worst case scenarios, though none of the fires are [...]
Although parts of Central and South Florida received above-average rainfall in January, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) meteorologists are reporting that the region remains in a rainfall deficit for the 2010-2011 dry season. “January’s rainfall was welcome and helpful, but in reality, it did not make up for a deficit accumulated through the last [...]
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) is hosting its third free training session for prospective Florida Water Star residential certifiers. The two-day workshop will feature an overview of the water conservation program’s three residential tiers — Gold, Silver and Bronze — along with hands-on field training in the Florida Water Star inspection process. A [...]
To continue protecting South Florida’s water resources, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board today approved the investment of $3.45 million in funding assistance for 19 alternative water supply projects across the region. A complete list of the 19 approved projects is available here. “Development of alternative water sources is an important part [...]
With little rainfall in recent weeks, meteorologists from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) reported that last month was the driest October in South Florida since recordkeeping began in 1932. The low monthly rainfall total, coupled with seasonal forecasts of exceptionally dry conditions, underscores the need for water conservation to protect the region’s limited [...]
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board today provided input on an updated document to guide District recommendations to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers about the management of Lake Okeechobee. Known as Adaptive Protocols for Lake Okeechobee Operations, the document lays out measures to better balance the needs of the lake and [...]
As Prepared for Delivery- Good evening. As we speak, our nation faces a multitude of challenges. At home, our top priority is to recover and rebuild from a recession that has touched the lives of nearly every American. Abroad, our brave men and women in uniform are taking the fight to al Qaeda wherever it [...]
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board recently approved a contract to build a key set of bridges necessary to add more water-cleaning capacity to the expanding network of stormwater treatment wetlands that are improving water quality in America’s Everglades.
For those of you who have tried to register for the HazMat Module 3 training that is being offered by BP, the classes are full. The current schedule does not have any additional times for Fort Lauderdale listed as of yet. The same training is also being provided for free on line. Below are the instructions that [...]
A development combining hotel, commercial and light industrial space is being proposed west of the Sawgrass Expressway. Since we are already aware that water will be our next challenged resource it seems unwise to propose much less approve a development that is situated in such an environmentally sensitive location that could easily impact our potable [...]
One step backward: Six in 10 Americans support more offshore drilling, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. A majority believe that the potential economic benefits of offshore drilling outweigh its potential harm to the environment. Fact: The Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded on April 20 and began spewing oil into the Gulf two [...]
While the chance of any oil arriving on Broward’s beaches is still several weeks away, Broward County officials led a press conference Thursday afternoon to let residents know how they were planning for the event, if it happens. “We are most concerned if the oil makes its way into the Gulf Stream and north to [...]
So when does the word “no” not mean no? In rape cases, when the victim says “no” then no means no. Just as this is upheld in the court of law, so should the current moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling along the Florida coastline be upheld. It is clear that even if the Florida [...]
On April 30, ten days after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon: Governor Charlie Crist announced a state of emergency for the Panhandle counties. Attorney General Bill McCollum issued a statement regarding meeting with Attorneys General from Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana tomorrow to discuss shared impacts and explore legal options. President Obama shelves new offshore oil drilling until [...]
By Valerie J. Amor The Broward County Climate Change Task Force will submit the Broward Climate Action Plan for consideration of approval at an upcoming Broward County commission meeting. The Broward County Climate Change Task Force completed work on and approved the “Broward Climate Change Action Plan –Addressing our Changing Climate” at their
Visitors coming to South Florida through Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport — as well as residents returning home — are being reminded to save water by turning off the faucet while brushing their teeth and by reusing towels at hotels.
Earlier today, the South Florida Water Management District’s (SFWMD) Department Director of Vegetation and Land Management, Dan Thayer, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands and the Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife of the House Committee on Natural Resources on the issue of exotic invasive [...]
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board recently voted 8-0, with one abstention, to extend the Certificates of Participation validation deadline contained in the purchase and sale agreement with the U.S. Sugar Corporation to acquire 73,000 acres of land for Everglades restoration. The Governing Board extended in Paragraph 4 the contract deadline for [...]
Students in the South Plantation High School Environmental Science and Everglades Restoration magnet program are taking the matter of increasing awareness and encouraging protection of the world and its oceans into their own hands.
Oakland Park to discuss land use and possible changes The City of Oakland Park presents a neighborhood compatibility and incompatible land use ordinances community meeting on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, 7 p.m. at Jaco Pastorius Park Community Center, 4000 North Dixie Highway, Oakland Park. The meeting is open to all residents, property and business owners, [...]
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and a host of federal and state partners will break ground on a vital project that represents continued momentum for Everglades restoration. The C-111 Spreader Canal project, a component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), will restore freshwater flows to Florida Bay through Taylor Slough, preserve clean [...]
Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) announced Friday that $38 million in stimulus funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used to create jobs in South Florida. The funding will help
Broward County residents could be looking at tougher, permanent water restrictions, if the Broward County commission passes a water conservation ordinance. On Jan. 8, at 2 p.m., the commission will hold a public hearing (where the public has three minutes per person to speak on the issue) on the enactment of a permanent, year-round, two-day [...]
The 2009 breeding season was exceptionally good for wading birds in South Florida, with a most noteworthy improvement for the federally endangered wood stork, according to a South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) report.
Congressman Ron Klein (FL-22) recently released his annual Year in Review, discussing some of the legislation he was involved in introducing to Congress in 2009 that he felt worked to address the critical issues of our nation. “This year has brought real challenges, but with the dedication and resiliency of South Floridians, I believe strongly [...]
