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Aquifer Storage: An Underutilized Option?

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WE Made a Difference with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Steakhouses beef up menus with VOLUME 21 NUMBER 3 ◆ MARCH 2017

2017 forecast:

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new twists on American classics By DREW BARTLETT

Rockville, MDback - When it comes to When I look American cuisine, there are few things at the past eight more iconic than years, I am bothsteakhouses. The slabs of marbled meat, the sizzling grateful and proud. grills, the oozing butter, and the drippingWe bravado, had no maybe lost even a cowboy hat or two for ambiance—it's enough summers caused to make even fictional steakophile Ron Analysis: by toxic discharges Swanson misty-eyed. to our coastal estuCatering industry Yet for all the traditional steak dinSeptic-to-Sewer Benefits Wedaily, recreated nersaries. ordered there are restaurants revenues on Live Oak the riverpushing of grassthe in concept of the nationwide the rise 4 Evergladessteakhouse National Park. There all-American to new culi-were no PAGE 8narymassive die-offs in Florida heights,seagrass according to market re- Bay “Big Data” — andfirm hundreds of Facts thousands of wetland search Packaged in the brand Does your have2017 beenForecast: restored.Culinary newacres report Data Centers & The Trend Tracking Series. restaurant Photo Courtesy SFWMD "The steakhouse back having and will Environment In fact, we’ve goneis from completed C-44 St. Lucie Estuary Reservoir need it? 7 capture our attention in 2017. Not that one small Comprehensive Everglades Resthe classic restaurant style ever disapPAGE 10 toration Plan (CERP) project to completcorrect these problems and expedite (close to a 100, in fact) including the comChefs and consumers both want and sustainable sourcing, local and peared, but a renewal the model is real flaing numerous hugeofprojects. Even Everglades restoration. Soon thereafter, I pletion of many CERP projects. their meat to taste delicious and to feel seasonal produce, and global flavors Rise Bisquits taking place are in response new sourcesin Florida! mingos making to a comeback was called to run the South Florida Water good about its’ consumption, too. This and forms, all done within the steakof beef and new flavorful expressions of Donuts to open Needs a Port Everglades Management theits high-profile In 2021, wecuts celebrated new breed of steakhouseDistrict, broadcasts house format showcasing of meatthe restoration of the concept that get chefs and in Coral Springs Scientific Solution To appreciate how different it is, I reflect District inlocal charge of the largest ecosystem the Kissimmee River, 11 diners mission to support ranchers, facas entrées with a choice of sides.and now it is desigexcited," says David Sprinkle, reon the summers of 2016 and 2018 working restoration effort on welfare, Earth. Gov.Moreover, DeSantis newnated the Kissimmee River Blueway Trail. tor in sustainability and animal menu categories (such search director, Packaged Facts. PAGE 12 Today's at the Florida Department of Environpledged to ask for funding, the Florida I can assure you that nobody wanted to and create a dining experience that as flatbreads) and service elements steakhouse menus increasmental Protection, across South Legislature wasnot on just board, and the District paddle the canal, and now the floodplain showcases culinary flair, a grill freshen the concept. Del Taco spices ingly feature grass-fed traveling cattle, locally Florida engaging communities about master's skill could fail to deliver. with its 45,000 acres of wetlands supports at not cooking steak to the reraised animals, heritage varieties, meat up expansion in WOTUS Needs a Bright Line butchered harmful, noxious algal blooms, fish kills incredible bird watching and bass fishing quested doneness. These operations About the Report and dry aged in-house, and the Southeast 13 dishes are to be to more inclusive, 2017 Forecast: Culinary Trend andthat red stem tide. It wasthe an environmental andalso designed Fast forward 2026 and we can safely in a very important wildlife corridor. from whole animore of a great place for all kinds of Tracking Series offers an outlook on the PAGE 13mal,economic disaster that Icuts. will never say that we delivered. Starting in 2019 not just the premium And forget. people towith dinethe well, notcompletion just traditionfoods, ingre- the C-44 St. Lucie final of the culinary Lakesidetrends—the In 2021, wedishes, celebrated that's just the meat. Creative side minded men on expense accounts. dients and flavors—that Packaged dishes in lieu of old standards, global In January 2019, I was given the opportuRanch wetland treatment system, we have Estuary Reservoir Facts and Stormwater TreatAs a result, the modern steakhouse expects to grow in popularity in 2017. andnity seasonal flavors, and a wider menu to do something about it. Gov. Ron had a cascade of meaningful achievements ment Area completion, and since then it selection alsosigned distinguish these new DeSantis an executive order tois increasingly similar to other modern Advertisers Directory . . . . . . . 2 See STEAKHOUSE page 11 CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 restaurants with a focus on distinctive school operations.

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Volume 48, Number 6

EPA DA:U.S. Agency Focus is Cutting Jollibee's expansion continues Red Tape, Permitting Efficiency, with first Florida location opening State Partnerships

Jacksonville, FL - After much anticbeen the talk of the town since 2016. "As Jollibee debuts in Florida, we ipation and excitement, Jollibee, the With the opening, Floridians will anticipate seeing not only a multilargest Asian restaurant company, is get to try Jollibee's signature menu tude of excited Jollibee patrons waitnow open in Jacksonville. This is the items such as the world famous ing to get their hands on their Jollibee Bystore PATRICK GILLESPIE promote both where the company 36th in the US, as well as Chickenjoy. This dish is delicately favorites, but also first-timers waitingwill build ships for the first in the state and breaded to be crispylicious to have their the ownMarines Jollibeeand experieconomic Coast Guard. The project Southeast US. It opened on the outside and juicylicious ence," said Jose Miñana, Jollibee During a trip through Florida in early development is expected to bring 2,000 jobs to the area toOctober, the public The well-loved Jolly Foods Corporation's Group the on Florida Specifier interviewed inside. and miland has beenPresident boosted by federal, state and March 18, 2017. Spaghetti is a favorite of both kids for North America. no EPA Deputy Administrator David Fotouhi, itary readiness. regional "There's funds. Meanwhile, the City of Jacksonville and kids-at-heart because greater joy for us than serving the the agency’s No. 2 in command, about the Pensacola and NAS Pensacola are involved i sagency’s t h e mfocus, o s t the purpose for a trip south “Oneof needs and tastes of Jollibee fansprojects in of its oursignature sweetin major cleanup the EPA is suppopulous city in style sauce, loaded with the community. At Jollibee, we aim to and what agency leadership is focused on priorities porting, Fotouhi said. the Sunshine State, chunky slices of savory bring families together for happy heading into 2027. at EPA is as well as home to ham, ground meat, moments over great tasting food with expediting the “EPA is focused on contaminated site the largest Filipinoand hotdog. Other superior value, served with warm Fotouhi, who was confirmed to the posicleanup and remediation and getting sites back into David Fotouhi American community classic menu faand friendly service – our own brand in June remediation of include the productive reuse,” he said. intion Florida. The2025, long- arrived in Pensacola on vorites of joy." Wednesday to meet contaminated the country, awaited arrival of with local officials in juicysites andacross cheesy Theand brand has become a symbol of Pensacola, so I wanted to Hotdog, come down personand warm Fotouhi announced Jollibee in the including city has Mayor D.C. Reeves Jolly andhere in nostalgia childhood mem-this summer a new and port officials to discuss the Birdon to see the that’s Pie, been made project called in the Superfund Soluthe progress Peach Mango oriesand for manyEPA overseas Filipinos Port of Pensacola expansion as well as the hear which directlyis from about tions Initiative, madelocal with leaders real the U.S. To many, Jollibee is the which go-to is designed to shift Escambia Wood Treating Company Super- that,” he said. “Our focus is supporting the Agency’s Philippine sweet manrestaurant of Filipinos for bothresources special when it comes to goes and a flaky golden fund site. Also on the trip, Fotouhi visited the military readiness mission by working cleaning up the more than 1,300 SuperSee JOLLIBEE pagethat 15 exist around the country. crust. branches on addressing with officials from NAS Pensacola, NAS withbrown the service fund sites

Whiting Field and Eglin Air Force Base. Fotouhi, an attorney, served in the first Trump Administration as Acting General Counsel for EPA.

legacy contamination issues at their sites and other federal facilities so that we can do what we need to do to support those men and women who live on or near base.”

His presence in Northwest Florida signifies the agency’s commitment to investing in environmental cleanup efforts to

Birdon has announced plans to develop a 400,000-square-foot advanced shipbuilding operation at the Port of Pensacola,

Superfund sites are locations where longterm practices of dumping or not containing hazardous waste have contaminated the ground and pose a risk to human health. They are largely manufacturing CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

FROM EPA PAGE 1 facilities, processing plants, mining operations, landfills and other similar industries. This initiative is designed to re-focus Agency resources, science and decision-making processes to speed up the cleanup process. In Pensacola, the American Creosote Works Superfund site is expected to be cleaned and turned into a park for residents. “We’ve got sites across the country — over 1,200 of them on the National Priorities List — some have been on there for 30-plus years. And, in fact, some sites it’s taken EPA more than a decade to even just select what the remedy should be,” he said. “And from our perspective, that’s just simply too long for a site to be not within the use of a local community and just sort of fenced off and not providing that benefit to the local community." "So, the effort is really a multi-pronged, expert-led approach where we are reducing the amount of time that it takes for sites to get through these processes, selecting remedies more quickly, applying science in a more common-sense way, thinking about, well, what’s the future use of that site going

to be and taking that into account when deciding what the best remedy should be.” Whether Superfund sites or permits for major development projects, permit-seekers often face years of delays as regulators and reviewers get backlogged or slow down project approvals. Fotouhi said those times are changing as the Agency vows to improve review times through internal process changes and shifts of programs to the state level. “There’s no reason why a project should be delayed or just entirely called off because they’re not able to get through the permitting process in a timely manner,” he said. “So, we’ve done sort of a multi-pronged approach. We’ve revised regulations to streamline permitting. We’ve worked with our employees, our career staff, throughout the country to really prioritize and expedite permitting and permitting decision-making.” But some of the expertise and process has been moved to states willing to take on the work. He mentioned Indiana recently taking over permitting for coal combustion residuals at power plants.

“We’ve also worked closely with our states,” Fotouhi said. “You know, states are the primary environmental permitters in the country, and we’re encouraging states to come in under our various statutes and take delegated authority or take primacy over various permitting programs. Oftentimes, states who know their resources best, better than folks sitting behind a desk in Washington, are able to issue permits in a more timely manner.” Trips like the one this week in Florida provide perspective on the work being done around the country and the problems Agency leadership needs to address, he said. “It’s so critical that we as leaders of the agency at the Trump EPA get out and meet our stakeholders and communities directly and first-hand,” Fotouhi said. “Administrator (Lee) Zeldin has been to every state, and now he’s making repeat visits to many states already, and I’m following in his footsteps because it’s so critical that we leave Washington and see how our decisions are impacting folks on the ground.”

Reconsidering Aquifer Storage and Recovery in Florida A practical look at regulatory barriers, water supply pressures, and the role ASR wells may play in Florida’s future

By FREDERICK ASCHAUER, JR. and HANNAH STEVENSON According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) wells provide, “a mechanism for storing water underground through an injection well to be withdrawn in the future for beneficial purposes.” That definition invites an important policy question: Are there circumstances in which ASR wells could provide meaningful public benefit, but existing regulatory requirements impose burdens that prevent otherwise sound projects from moving forward? You don’t have to be an environmental professional to understand that the aquifer in Florida is under immense pressure. Public concern also continues to grow regarding large-scale water use, including demands associated with data centers and other water-intensive development.

elsewhere into that very same aquifer. The underlying regulatory concern is understandable: injection activity can mobilize or displace naturally Hannah Stevenson occurring or existing contaminants, including arsenic. Still, water is a precious resource, and Florida continues to lose substantial volumes to tide, evaporation and other pathways before that water can be put to beneficial use. If the state is serious about relieving pressure on its aquifer systems, it should evaluate reasonable, science-based approaches that manage risk without unnecessarily foreclosing beneficial ASR opportunities.

latory framework can be refined to distinguish between projects that present meaningful water-quality risks and those that can be safely implemented with Frederick Aschauer Jr. appropriate monitoring, safeguards and site-specific review. In that regard, ASR wells deserve renewed attention as one practical component of Florida’s long-term water-supply strategy. Frederick Aschauer, Jr. is a Shareholder at Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A.and Hannah Stevenson is an Associate at Lewis, Longman & Walker, P.A..

The better question is not whether ASR wells should be exempt from appropriate oversight. They should not. Rather, Florida should consider whether the current regu-

Publisher

Editor-In-Chief PATRICK GILLESPIE

Staff Writers BLANCHE HARDY, PG Senior Correspondent

LINA ALFIERI STERN

MBA, MSRED, LEED Green Associate

Copyeditor EMMA CYPHERS

Designer

TRACY KISTLER

Contributing Writers and Columnists DREW BARTLETT South Florida Water Management District FREDERICK ASCHAUER JR HANNAH STEVENSON Lewis, Longman & Walker LISSA STROHECKER St. Johns River Water Management District ED O'DANIELS Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission JORGE CASPARY Onterris MICHAEL DUKES UF/IFAS IMRAN SIDDIQUI FDISA NIKKI DAY Gray Robinson KEYNA CORY Florida Recycling Partnership DAVID RATHKE Resiliency Florida WILLIAM PRECHT Bio-Tech Consulting

In that context, ASR wells appear to be an important tool — perhaps a significant one — in Florida’s broader water-resource management strategy. To some extent, they already are. However, certain regulatory requirements may be limiting their practical utility and merit careful review.

HERSCHEL VINYARD Adams & Reese The Florida Specifier (ISSN 07401973), founded in 1979, is published every other month for $60 per year in-state; $80 out-of-state, by SPECIFIER PUBLISHING LLC, P.O. Box 1857, Tallahassee, FL 32302. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the FLORIDA SPECIFIER, P.O. Box 1857, Tallahassee, FL 32302. © Copyright 2026 by SPECIFIER PUBLISHING LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the publisher’s prior written permission.

FDEP’s website notes that, “whether treated or not, water injected into ASR wells must meet Florida's drinking water quality standards.” At first glance, that requirement is both sensible and consistent with Florida’s regulatory framework. It also has the benefit of being supported by federal law. However, these regulations could be read to prohibit the injection of water from the very same aquifer if such water were pumped out of the aquifer from one location, piped above ground, then injected

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Florida Specifier

How Technology is Changing Coastal Wetland Restoration By LISSA STROHECKER After decades of restoring coastal wetlands, Ron Brockmeyer thought he knew what a project in Merritt Island would cost. He was wrong, in a good way. Brockmeyer has spent the last 30 years with the St. Johns River Water Management District (District), partnering with local governments to return man-made dikes, ditches and spoil piles to fully functional coastal wetlands. So, when he began planning a 2025 project to grade 15 miles of dike in Merritt Island, he felt confident in his cost estimates. Experience from many past projects, along with changes in fuel and labor costs, informed the budget. He secured the funding and, with District Operations and Maintenance support, hired contractors and work began. Restoring wetlands is both a science and an art, and every site is unique. To restore a coastal wetland, the surface elevation must be reconnected to the natural tidal cycle. Because tidal cycles vary from place to place, determining the correct elevation is one of the most important steps in restoration. Plants provide clues about local tides. For example, black mangroves growing along the shoreline and in the shallow water near the restoration site help determine the target elevation. Black mangroves have a unique adaptation that allows them to grow in oxygen-deprived soils and with submerged roots. Specialized root structures called pneumatophores act like snorkels, growing just above the water to allow gas exchange in the mangroves’ roots. Since pneumatophores grow just above the highest seasonal tide, Brockmeyer can measure the height of the pneumatophores to identify the appropriate elevation needed to restore wetland function. Once the target elevation is established, excavators and bulldozers grade piles of dredge spoil, ditches and dikes to the appropriate height. In the Indian River Lagoon, where the Merritt Island project would take place, the difference between high and low tide is measured in centimeters. The grading must be precise. "Historically, after the first pass, contractors would survey the surface elevation, then the bulldozer would make another pass, then crews would re-survey the site until the soil was exactly the right height,” Brockmeyer said. For Brockmeyer's most recent project, contractors used GPS-based instrumentation mounted directly on their bulldozer blades. Standard GPS, such as what is used in a cell phone, is accurate to within a foot or so, but specialized systems used on these projects rely on local base stations that broadcast precise, real-time elevation information to the bulldozers. The blades became accurate to within centimeters. It’s a game-changer for earthwork efficiency.

dramatic cost savings. "The cost was less than one-third of what we had budgeted for the project. Technology improvements have lowered the cost of restoring coastal wetland habitat dramatically." In 2010, the cost to restore a wetland by grading a dike around an impounded area worked out to roughly $10.50 per linear foot of dike. For the 2025 restoration, Brockmeyer estimated the project would cost roughly $20 per foot based on traditional approaches and current costs. Thanks to the integration of precision GPS, the final cost worked out to $6.70 per linear foot. The increased efficiency only improves the return on investment gained through coastal wetland restoration. These ecosystems are incredibly important in terms of flood protection, fisheries and improved water quality. These benefits are among the reasons Brockmeyer has spent decades implementing coastal restoration projects.

Photo courtesy SJRWMD

Coastal wetlands support wildlife, improve water quality and increase resilience to storms and sea-level rise. Black mangroves and GPS guide the process of returning tidal cycles to wetlands altered by dikes and spoil piles.

When storms hit, a coastal wetland can absorb floodwater and dampen wave energy, lessening erosion along coastlines and protecting communities from flooding. Wetland plants, from mangroves to cord grasses, filter out sediment and pollutants while oysters consume algae, leading to improvements in water quality. Functioning coastal wetlands are also adaptable. Wetlands migrate inland and rise in elevation, accumulating sediment as sea level rises, supporting resilience for future generations. Coastal wetlands are among the most effective natural systems for removing and storing carbon from the atmosphere. A 2007 study estimated the value of coastal wetlands in terms of ecosystem benefits. Adjusting for 2026 dollars, a functional coastal wetland provides about $126,000 of benefit per acre each year.

Photo courtesy SJRWMD

In the delicate process of using heavy equipment to complete the precise grading necessary for restoring coastal wetlands, new technology has led to some dramatic cost savings.

The 2025 project yielded 85 acres of restored wetland surface for a cost of roughly $6,000 per acre. In addition, these projects require no ongoing operation or maintenance. Wetland plants quickly colonize the regraded areas on their own and begin providing benefits. The cost savings on the Merritt Island restoration means more than coming in under budget. With funding remaining, Brockmeyer said he plans to complete additional restoration projects along the northeast Florida coastline. As technology continues to improve and restoration becomes more efficient, he said he hopes more coastal wetlands can be restored, delivering benefits for decades to come. To learn more about the District’s coastal restoration efforts, visit Restoring our coastal wetlands. Lissa Strohecker is Regional Media and Communications Coordinator at the St. Johns River Water Management District

Operators could set the target elevation and reach the required specifications within just a few passes. With less back-andforth grading and surveying, labor costs declined and the project progressed faster. "Some days I couldn't believe how much work they would get done," said Brockmeyer. The increased efficiency meant

Florida Specifier

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

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FWC’s Landowner Assistance Program Helps Landowners Meet their Goals By ED O’DANIELS The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Landowner Assistance Program (LAP) biologists value the conservation efforts of private landowners in Florida and work to support Florida’s landowners with practical tools to meet their objectives. With more than half of Florida’s lands in private ownership, the FWC recognizes the importance of privately owned lands for both species and habitat conservation. The FWC’s LAP private lands biologists support those landowners by recommending habitat management options and connecting them to resources to achieve their goals. Landowners often know their property better than anyone, and an experienced biologist can supplement that knowledge with technical guidance and encouragement to help the landowner become more confident and skilled land stewards. Building relationships with landowners across Florida is a top priority for the FWC. The relationship often starts when a landowner expresses interest in the FWC’s programs and invites an LAP biologist to visit the property. During the visit, LAP biologists discuss the landowner’s goals, assess habitat conditions, and develop a plan with the landowner to meet their conservation or management needs on the property. While on site, the LAP biologist can help identify any plants and animals the landowner is interested in and discuss habitat improvement techniques, such as using prescribed fire, timber thinning, tree planting, enhancing pollinator habitat and hardwood removal. Often, biologists also help identify invasive species and can offer options to reduce their negative impacts.

LAP biologists share both their professional knowledge and in-the-field experience, along with offering a toolbox loaded with helpful programs from the FWC and its partners. For example, biologists can help landowners benefit from cost-share programs from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, silvicultural expertise and financial assistance from the Florida Forest Service, and ecosystem experts from non-governmental organizations, such as The Longleaf Alliance, Tall Timbers and Alachua Conservation Trust. If habitat on the property is eligible, LAP biologists can provide very specific information about the FWC’s opportunities within the Gopher Tortoise Recipient Site Program. This program allows financial compensation for receiving relocated tortoises in exchange for proper, longterm habitat management. The Private Lands Tool Cache Program provides tools and resources to meet a landowner’s management goals, such as for wild hog removal and treatment of invasive plant infestations. Also, for landowners with suitable habitat in certain South Florida counties, LAP biologists can help them apply for incentive funding through the Panther Payment for Ecosystem Services Program. This program is designed to help maintain Florida panther habitat, encourage species population growth and expand their range. LAP biologists also work closely with the North Florida and Northwest Florida Prescribed Burn Associations, which are locally led groups that help landowners gain experience on how to safely use prescribed fire to manage their land. They bring landowners together to increase the safe use of fire on private lands by sharing tools and labor under the guidance of experienced prescribed burn managers.

These groups, along with the tools mentioned above, are available to landowners at no cost, in support of the stewardship they provide to our fish and wildlife resources across the state. The FWC’s Landowner Assistance Program recognizes the hard work of private landowners who manage their property to provide food, water, cover and shelter for game, non-game and imperiled species. For instance, exemplary landowners are honored through the FWC’s Wildlife Habitat Recognition Program. If selected, the landowner receives a certificate of appreciation and a commemorative sign to display. LAP biologists enjoy sharing their knowledge and passion for habitat management with private Photo courtesy FWC landowners through educaDuring a site visit with an LAP biologist, a private tional publications, workshops landowner examines Eustris lake beardtongue. This and events. For landowners who plant is a good indicator that the ecosystem is being prefer to learn by reading, LAP properly managed. biologists provide publications on a wide range of topics, from acorns to wildlife food plots. Partnering ship is a critical component of protecting with fellow agencies and organizations, Florida’s fish and wildlife, and the wild the FWC’s LAP biologists host outreach and rural places they need to survive. The events aimed at effectively communicating FWC’s Landowner Assistance Program land management techniques, programs is proud to work with Florida’s dedicated and knowledge on topics including fish, landowners to provide these tools and enwildlife, timber, groundcover, pollinator sure Florida is home to abundant wildlife habitat and habitat management techfor generations to come. niques. Whether through a presentation, publications, a booth at the fair, a propTo learn more about LAP or request assiserty tour, or a chance meeting, an LAP tance from an LAP private lands biologist, biologist is eager to help and share their please contact your FWC Regional Office knowledge and resources. or visit MyFWC.com/LAP. With more than 19 million of Florida’s nearly 35 million acres in private ownership, the legacy of private land steward-

trus ted solut ions

valued expertise

Ed O’Daniels is FWC Landowner Assistance Program Regional Coordinator

Serving Florida's Engineers and Contractors for over 40 Years

GEOTEXTILES | GEOGRIDS | TURBIDITY BARRIERS | SILT/SAFETY FENCE | INLET PROTECTION | FLOC LOGS | EROSION CONTROL BLANKETS Photo courtesy FWC

FWC LAP biologist Jason Ballard recognizes a private landowner for his contributions to conserving wildlife habitat.

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800-330-2333 | info@rhmooreassociates.com | www.rhmooreassociates.com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Florida Specifier

FROM SFWMD PAGE 1 has captured almost every drop of runoff that would otherwise damage the St. Lucie Estuary. Then in 2026, we completed the C-23 canal’s discharge diversion project that reroutes the canal’s water away from the Estuary and into the Reservoir. From 2021 to 2026, we uncorked Tamiami Trail to get water to Florida Bay to prevent a massive seagrass die-off from wrecking a fishing economy. Old Tamiami Trail was removed, current Tamiami Trail was raised, and an underground seepage wall was installed to prevent flooding. Since then, flows through Everglades National Park to Florida Bay have never been cut off and salinity has stabilized. In 2025, we completed the massive 10,000-acre C-43 Caloosahatchee Reservoir, which is so large that Key West could fit inside, twice. It’s so large it can hold enough water to fill Lake Apopka. But sorry Winter Garden, it is for the Caloosahatchee Estuary. We have put it to work, and it is already curbing harmful discharges.

Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir

Photo courtesy of the SFWMD

Also in 2025, we completed the Picayune Strand Restoration Project in Collier County, fixing the overdrained hydrology of 55,000 acres of Florida Panther habitat. Let the wading birds and alligators also know they can come home to Picayune Strand State Forest. Again in 2025, we completed all the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands projects, restoring more than 6,000 acres of coastal marsh by diverting harmful canal discharges into engineered marsh flow ways from Deering Estates to Homestead Airforce Base. Natural freshwater springs have re-emerged in the Bay floor. And don’t forget, in 2025, we completed the 60,000 acres of stormwater treatment areas and 47 billion gallons of storage necessary to put clean water in the Everglades. These projects are performing extremely well while also providing excellent duck hunting opportunities. I could go on…and will. We have also inked numerous public private partnerships with private landowners to pump and hold high volumes of water on their ranchlands; built the Lake Hicpochee restoration project, restored the Allapattah Flatts nature preserve, put the Green Heart of the Everglades in Conservation, restored Cypress Creek, planted tens of thousands of plants in Lake Okeechobee, curbed harmful algal blooms to protect public health and more.   We have benefited tremendously from

Everglades Water Depth with Restoration

the investments of Gov. DeSantis and the Florida Legislature in real, meaningful water management upgrades in South Florida. But as an environmental professional for my entire career, nothing is more rewarding than observing the actual difference in Florida’s environment.   The river of grass is reconnected through Everglades National Park, the salinity levels in Florida Bay have stabilized, more than 95 percent of the Everglades is now meeting water quality standards, and the estuaries east and west of Lake

Graphic courtesy of the SFWMD

Okeechobee are no longer receiving those overwhelming harmful discharges and lost summers. South Florida’s water storage capacity has tripled to 176 billion gallons, and it will soon reach 336 billion gallons with the EAA Reservoir finishing five years ahead of schedule. Restored wetlands have easily increased by more than 100,000 acres and treatment wetlands have increased by more than 10,000 acres. My colleagues tease me about how many ribbon cuttings we host in South Florida, but none of those jabs come from the people that lived through the economic devastation that South Florida periodically endured for decades. In fact, the issue eight years ago was that we had only completed one CERP project, but no longer. I’ll live with the new jabs. While I am grateful for the opportunity to

Everglades Total Phosphorus Concentrations (Below 10 ug/L meets standards)

Graphic courtesy of the SFWMD

Florida Specifier

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Florida Bay Salinity Before and After

help the people, environment, wildlife and economy of Florida during the twilight of my career, we all must acknowledge that it took the staff and leadership of the South Florida Water Management District, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the Army Corps of Engineers to make it happen. Finally, none of this could have happened without the elected leaders of Florida working with our engaged stakeholders to entrust these dedicated people with funds and freedom to get the job done. Drew Bartlett is South Florida Water Management District Executive Director, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in March 2019. Prior to his appointment, Bartlett was DEP's Deputy Secretary for Ecosystem Restoration and Director of the Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration, both of which followed a 17-year career at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Graphic courtesy of the SFWMD

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County and consists of approximately 60 percent wetlands and 40 percent uplands. This property has approximately 2.2 miles of frontage along the west side of the Peace River.

FPL’s Storm Secure Underground Program Exceeds Milestones

Appeals Court Vacates Injunction Behind Brevard Septic Moratorium The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on October 8 vacated the judgment and injunction in Bear Warriors United v. Florida Department of Environmental Protection, creating a path toward lifting the court-imposed septic moratorium affecting Brevard County. The lawsuit alleged that DEP’s wastewater regulatory program damaged manatee habitat in the North Indian River Lagoon in violation of the Endangered Species Act. The district court’s decision relied on a federal definition of “harm” that included habitat degradation causing actual injury or death to wildlife. That definition was rescinded while the appeal was pending. The appeals court returned the case to the district court to evaluate the effect of the regulatory change. The ruling sets aside the existing injunction but leaves the lawsuit unresolved.

Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) has improved regional resilience by completing 2,000 miles of overhead-to-underground neighborhood power line conversions through the company’s Storm Secure Underground Program. The conversion benefits more than 200,000 customers. The Storm Secure Underground Program uses a data-driven approach to improving the resiliency of the electric grid and restoring power for customers after hurricanes and severe weather. FPL strategically selects communities for undergrounding based on metrics such as power outages during named storms, vegetation-related outages and other reliability metrics. The program is designed to strengthen the electric grid, improve storm resilience and reduce restoration costs and outage times associated with hurricanes and extreme weather events. FPL’s storm performance data shows that underground neighborhood lines have experienced fewer outages than overhead neighborhood lines during hurricanes. “Reaching 2,000 miles of projects completed under the Storm Secure Underground Program is the result of true partnerships between FPL, our customers and the communities we serve,” said Michael Jarro, FPL vice president of Power Delivery. “We appreciate the patience and cooperation of customers while this work takes place in their neighborhoods.”

State Protects More Than 10,800 Acres Across Florida Photo Courtesy SWFWMD

SWFWMD Expands Conservation Lands Within the Lower Peace River Corridor Project The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Governing Board recently approved a $7.5 million purchase of 1,270 acres within the Lower Peace River Corridor Project. The newly acquired properties include the C&D Ranch and Rock Bend Ranch conservation easements. Funding is being provided through the Florida Forever Trust Fund. The acquisitions will help protect existing ecosystems, improve water quality flowing into the Charlotte Harbor estuary and safeguard regional water resources. The properties are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor and are within two miles of other District and state conservation lands. The easements span the lower basin of the Peace River and will provide four miles of frontage along the west side of the Peace River in DeSoto and Hardee counties while incorporating surrounding tributaries, connected headwaters, and floodplain swamps. The 623.66-acre C&D Ranch conservation easement consists of approximately 48 percent wetlands and 52 percent uplands. C&D Ranch is situated in the Peace River Valley, which leads to Charlotte Harbor estuary and protects 1.9 miles of river frontage on the Peace River. The 646.8-acre Rock Bend Ranch conservation easement is adjacent to C&D Ranch to the immediate south in DeSoto

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Florida’s administration recently approved the conservation of more than 10,770 acres across Florida, including more than 2,700 acres within the Ocala-to-Osceola Wildlife Corridor. The action represents an investment of more than $72.6 million and the advancing of Florida Forever, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and the Ocala-to-Osceola Wildlife Corridor projects.

Limestone Creek Ranch, a working cattle ranch for more than 70 years that was formerly owned by Gov. Doyle E. Carlton.

USF and TECO Advance Next-Generation Power Grid intelligence

OUC Receives Grant to Enhance Reliability and Long‑Term Affordability

USFs Linling Fan and Zhixin Miao are collaborating with Tampa Electric through a $3.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, to develop a digital twin — a virtual copy of the utility's power system. Using real-time data from TECO facilities, the computer model continuously mirrors real-world grid conditions.

Audrey Robertson, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation with the U.S. Department of Energy, recently announced the selection of Orlando Utilities Commission for a $12.97 million Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades grant. The grant will support a major transmission infrastructure project designed to enhance grid reliability and meet growing energy demand across Central Florida. “This investment reflects OUC’s commitment to ensuring reliable, future‑ready service for our customers,” said Orlando Alancastro, Vice President of Transmission for OUC. “We began working on this request more than two years ago under the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships grants program, and we’re honored to receive DOE’s support on a project that strengthens energy resilience in Central Florida.” The grant will facilitate the installation of a new 115kV transmission line connecting the Southwood Substation to the Turkey Lake Substation, a critical upgrade identified by OUC’s System Planning & Reliability Engineering Division. The project will provide essential capacity, increased reliability and additional transfer capabilities for OUC’s bulk electric system. The new line will span three miles, constructed on new structures along an existing transmission corridor. The expansion will help ensure OUC can reliably support projected load growth and maintain system resilience during peak demand periods.

Photo Courtesy SWFWMD

“Today’s approvals reflect our commitment to being good stewards of Florida’s land and making smart investments in conservation. The Florida Wildlife Corridor is an important part of that effort, and I’m proud that more than 4,500 acres of working agricultural land will be permanently protected through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program,” said Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “RFLPP is a proven, cost-effective way to keep productive farmland in private hands and ensure it remains available to grow the food Floridians depend on for generations to come." The projects include a 2,708-acre conservation easement within the Etoniah/Cross Florida Greenway Florida Forever Project within the Florida Wildlife Corridor in Putnam County and a 3,567-acre conservation easement within the Panther Glades Florida Forever Project within the Florida Wildlife Corridor in Hendry County. Acquisition of permanent agricultural land conservation easements over more than 4,500 acres of working agricultural lands through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Rural and Family Lands Protection Program was also approved, including a permanent conservation easement over 1,034 acres of

SWFWMD Scheduling Prescribed Fires for Hillsborough County The Southwest Florida Water Management District will be conducting prescribed burns now through December on the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve. Prescribed fires in controlled settings can reduce the risk of wildfires burning out of control. The District conducts prescribed fires on approximately 35,000 acres each year. The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is located south of Cross Creek Boulevard between U.S. Highway 301 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard near Thonotosassa. Approximately 300 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. Benefits of prescribed fire include the reduction of overgrown plants decreasing the risk of catastrophic wildfires, promoting the growth of new, diverse plants, maintaining wildlife habitat and maintaining access for public recreation. The public can sign up to receive email and/or text alerts about scheduled prescribed burns and learn more about the process of a prescribed burn by visiting WaterMatters.org/PrescribedBurns.

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The research is anticipated to help stabilize grid operations while accommodating the growing stream of connections by alternative energy generation sources. The researchers hope to develop an early warning system that identifies emergent problems. A digital twin may help identify abnormal behavior earlier, determine where a disturbance originated and provide information that supports a faster response. As the power grid becomes more complex, those capabilities will become increasingly valuable. This technology may assist TECO with utility operations by giving operators greater real-time insight into a power system serving about two million people. "Partnerships like this demonstrate how researchers and industries can collaborate to solve real-world challenges," said Patrick Shell, TECO's senior director of special projects. "By combining Tampa Electric's operational expertise and data with USF's cutting-edge research, we're advancing technologies that can support ongoing reliable electric service and strengthen grid operations for the future.”

USF Researchers Tracking Culinary Favorites - Cobia and Tripletail With the assistance of federal and state funding, including an $800,000 grant from the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, USF’s Assistant Professor Lucas Griffin’s team is studying both cobia and tripletail fish to answer longstanding questions about their migration patterns and populations. Both cobia and tripletail can reach up to 40 pounds and are considered desirable culinary fish. The funding is part of a larger $5 million Gulf-wide research effort led by principal investigator Sean Powers at the University of South Alabama in collaboration with USF, the U.S. Geological Survey and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The USF researchers hope to help fisheries managers make informed decisions, support recreational fishing opportunities, and sustain fish-dependent coastal communities. Goals include discovering reasons for the decline of cobia in parts of northwest Florida and providing information about tripletail, which are increasingly popular among fishermen. “Our ultimate goal is to have sustainable fisheries that support coastal communities,” said Griffin. “Florida is recognized as the sport fishing capital of the world, but it's difficult to manage fisheries effectively if we don't understand where these animals move, how they live and how their populations function.” With the grant, Griffin and his lab conducted fieldwork in the waters off Apalachicola, which is a major hotspot in the Panhandle for both species. The team is using acoustic telemetry tagging where CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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FROM FL NOTES ON PAGE 6 fish are surgically implanted with a small electronic tag that can last up to five years and communicate with underwater receivers stationed throughout the Gulf. Satellite tags also monitor offshore movements that acoustic receivers may not capture. To track sport fishing Griffin’s lab is offering $250 rewards to those who catch a fish carrying a tag. Fishermen can call the number on the tag, report their catch and receive the reward. The reports will provide information about harvest rates and fishing pressure across the species' ranges.

UCF Study Indicates Coastal Flooding Happens at Predictable Times A University of Central Florida team led by Ivan Haigh of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering has found that coastal floods often occur at highly predictable times, an important model for sea level rise. Results of the study were recently published in Nature Communications. Haigh

found that coastal flooding tends to occur at certain times of day, reflecting the timing of the tides while showing for the first time that impact-causing floods have predictable daily timing across regions. “Floods have traditionally been viewed as primarily weather-driven and therefore relatively unpredictable in their exact timing,” Haigh said. “But surprisingly little attention has been paid to what hour of the day flooding occurs. Coastal flooding is increasingly occurring without storms in response to sea level rise, making prediction increasingly important. “This matters because timing influences impacts,” Haigh says. “The same flood can have very different consequences if it occurs during the morning commute, business hours or in the middle of the night. Understanding these temporal patterns could improve flood forecasting, emergency planning, infrastructure operations and long-term coastal adaptation.”

University of Florida Explains Pollinators Schedule in HumanModified Landscapes

modified landscapes. The season did not become longer; the pollinator calendar shifted later instead.

Researchers at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) found that pollinator seasons have shifted to later in the year in some of the most human-modified landscapes in the eastern United States, leading to the conclusion that human development may be changing more than where pollinators live — it may also be changing when they are active.

“We often think about cities as changing where species can live, but our results suggest it may also change when certain species are active,” said Marina Marquis, lead author and a former graduate student of Corey Callaghan, an assistant professor of global ecology at UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center.

The findings, published in Royal Society Open Science, provide insight into how human alteration of natural areas may be influencing the seasonal timing of pollinators across multiple insect groups, including butterflies, beetles and moths. UF/IFAS researchers evaluated 80,000 observations from diverse landscapes stretching from central Alabama to central New York finding that pollinator activity began 22 days later and ended about 21 days later in the most human-modified landscapes compared with the least

Not all the pollinators responded in the same way. The findings suggest individual species may respond differently depending on their biology, temperature sensitivity and relationships with plants. “For pollinators, timing matters,” said Marquis. “Bees, butterflies and other pollinators need flowers for food, and plants need pollinators to reproduce. If one changes its schedule and the other doesn’t, that relationship could be disrupted.”

Status of the Petroleum Restoration Program as it Celebrates 40 Years By JORGE CASPARY, PG The recent lowering of the funding score in the Petroleum Restoration Program (PRP) to the lowest risk score and the latest dashboard by the program in July is telling. It showcases several critical elements: After 40 years of the program’s creation and several Legislative-mandated metamorphoses, the last tranche of discharges is now in the process of being assessed 99 percent of the riskiest discharges to human health have been addressed More than 1,000 discharges are in the Remedial Action Plan (RAP) design phase, with the majority moving to remedial action construction in FY 26/27

provide clarity in terms of future Program capital obligations.

discharges and may have to be managed using RBCA principles.

Other important numbers reflected in the monthly dashboards are that less than 10 percent of discharges are closed by the Low Scored Site Initiative (LSSI) or via LSSI NFA, and very few discharges are closed using institutional controls. In the case of the former, the Legislature-created LSSI aimed to increase the number of site closures, but it appears the initiative’s foundation to close sites with minimal contamination has reached the end.

A recent inquiry to the PRP indicates that approximately 20 percent of discharges in MNA have been in that phase between three and in excess of five years. This number is expected to increase and MNA likely will constitute the biggest phase in the future.

In the case of the latter, the application of Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA) principles to the program and site closure requires a dialogue with all stakeholders, particularly for those discharges that are beyond the criteria of its statutory-required “cost-effective” taxpayer-funded remediation. This is more important in light of area-wide emerging contaminant plumes that may encompass PRP active

However, a study commissioned by the PRP in 2014 on a subset of sites in MNA indicated that more than 50 percent would never reach Groundwater Cleanup Target Levels (GCTL) since favorable natural attenuation conditions were not present. We have seen these sites: concentrations of contaminants hover around their GCTLs but never get there. In practical terms, this means that hundreds of future discharges will not reach closure, thus representing a perpetual monetary obligation to the taxpayer.

Considering this, and the ever-present question by the Legislature of the Program’s end, taking a second look at these discharges in excess of three years, but certainly in excess of five years, and how to bring them to swift closure is worth discussing. As it marks its 40th anniversary, the PRP has entered its widely believed final phase and the program’s main objective has been successfully met; however, future dialogue with stakeholders on refinements will be necessary to ensure its final objective: bringing the program to a successful landing. Jorge Caspary is a Senior Principal at Onterris, Inc., and former Division of Waste Director at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Approximately 1,450 discharges are in the Monitored Natural Attenuation (MNA) phase – an increasingly growing phase These numbers also show the meeting of the main objective asked for by the Florida Legislature in 1986 – classify discharges according to their risk to human health and remediate the riskiest first. With nearly 100 percent of the riskiest discharges either remediated or in the process of remediation, the PRP can affirmatively state the foremost objective of the program has been met. Another important milestone is that, at long last, the program switches its focus to address the lowest risk discharges, or those scored between <6 to 14. The program will likely use the majority of future Legislative funding on these sites. As hundreds of these discharge sites were nearing the end of their application period cutoff date in December 1988, owners sought taxpayer cleanup funding. Future assessment work of these discharges will

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Septic-to-Sewer Project Benefits Live Oak, Environment By STAFF REPORTS A recently completed septic-to-sewer project in the City of Live Oak is helping protect groundwater and reduce nutrient pollution while providing residents with reliable wastewater infrastructure and creating opportunities for future growth. The $6.19 million project is a partnership between the Suwannee River Water Management District (District), City of Live Oak and Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Work began in 2022 and was made possible through state and federal funding dedicated to protecting Florida’s water resources. As part of the project, 31 residences and two commercial businesses were removed from septic systems and connected to newly constructed centralized sewer lines. The work took place along U.S. 90, Evelyn Avenue and Lime Street, as well as Duval Street and 105th Road. In addition to serving existing residents and businesses, the project included infrastructure to accommodate future connections, helping position the area for continued development while addressing existing wastewater infrastructure needs. Septic systems can pose a risk to groundwater when wastewater is not adequately treated or when systems reach the limits of their capacity. Connecting properties to a centralized sewer system provides a more consistent method of collecting and treating wastewater and can reduce the potential for nutrients to enter groundwater and nearby water bodies. For the Live Oak project, the environmental benefits are measurable. The completed improvements are estimated to reduce

Photo courtesy SRWMD

nitrogen loading by approximately 442 pounds annually. Reducing nutrient inputs is particularly important in protecting the springs, rivers and other natural resources that make the Suwannee River Basin unique. Projects that improve wastewater infrastructure can provide benefits that extend beyond individual properties, helping protect water quality while supporting the communities that depend on those resources. “This project is a great example of how strategic investments in wastewater infrastructure can provide lasting benefits

for both our communities and our water resources,” said Hugh Thomas, executive director of the District. “We’re proud to partner with our communities and DEP on projects like this that provide meaningful, long-term benefits for our communities and the environment.” For Live Oak, the project also represents an investment in the community’s future. While the current phase focused on addressing immediate infrastructure needs, the newly constructed sewer system provides opportunities for additional connections and future development in the area.

“We are very appreciative of the efforts of the Suwannee River Water Management District to make this project a success,” said Live Oak City Manager Larry Sessions. The project demonstrates how investments in essential infrastructure can serve multiple purposes – meeting the needs of residents today, supporting the community’s future and helping protect the water resources that sustain the region for generations to come.

Why water conservation should be practiced year-round in Florida, not just during droughts By MICHAEL DUKES For many Floridians, water conservation becomes a priority only when lawns begin to turn brown, lakes recede, springs stop flowing or water restrictions appear in the headlines. But starting last year, Florida experienced the third driest September-to-March period on record and, by April, almost all of the state was in a moderate to exceptional drought. If we only wait until an extreme drought develops before thinking about conservation, we have already missed the chance to protect one of the state’s most important natural resources. Water conservation cannot just be an emergency response; it needs to be a year-round priority in Florida. As someone who has spent decades studying landscape irrigation and water use, I constantly find myself telling homeowners that the most effective conservation practices are the ones implemented long before drought conditions even arrive. During a severe drought, everyone suddenly wants to save water. The problem is that sustainable water use doesn’t work well as a temporary reaction; it works when conser-

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vation is built into our daily decisions and landscape practices. Florida’s landscapes can consume a tremendous amount of water when automatic irrigation systems continue running whether landscapes need water or not. Research from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) consistently shows that homeowners can often significantly reduce unnecessary irrigation without sacrificing healthy lawns or landscapes. What surprises many people is just how much water a residential irrigation system uses. Even a well-designed and efficient system can use nearly 1,000 gallons of water during a single irrigation cycle, often much more. One of the simplest steps for mitigating this is to turn automatic irrigation systems off and manually turn the system on only when the landscape actually needs water. Too many irrigation systems are programmed once and forgotten, running on schedule regardless of the season, rainfall levels or plant needs. UF/IFAS research also emphasizes the importance of properly functioning rain

sensor shutoff devices. In fact, Florida law requires automatic irrigation systems to have technology that interrupts irrigation during periods of sufficient moisture. Properly functioning rain sensors prevent irrigation systems from operating after rainfall events and help conserve water. They also reduce runoff that can carry fertilizers and other pollutants into groundwater and surface waters. Another important practice is to evaluate where irrigation is truly needed. Established landscape plants often require far less irrigation than newly planted ones. In many landscapes, sprinkler heads continue spraying mature plant beds long after plants are established and capable of surviving on natural rainfall for much of the year. Capping unnecessary sprinkler heads and converting plant beds to more effective irrigation methods can substantially reduce water use. Ultimately, the goal is not to stop watering entirely but to water responsibly, efficiently and only when necessary.

Florida residents live in areas experiencing drought. And Florida’s future depends on water. Our economy, environment, agriculture and quality of life are all tied to healthy water resources. Population growth and increasing demand mean we cannot afford to treat conservation as a temporary inconvenience during drought years. Conservation shouldn’t begin when reservoirs decline or restrictions are imposed. If we want Florida to thrive for future generations, protecting water resources must become a permanent commitment, not an occasional response to a crisis. Michael Dukes, Ph.D., is a UF/IFAS associate dean for extension, the director of the UF/IFAS Center for Land Use Efficiency and a faculty member in the UF/IFAS Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering. He helps bring data-driven solutions to industry partners, state agencies and decision makers to protect Florida’s water resources.

Right now, Florida is experiencing a historically significant, statewide drought at a time when the population and water demands are continuing to grow. Even with recent rainfall, more than 13 million

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The Lake Eustis Pupfish: What We Know By BLANCHE HARDY

Elevated nearshore abundance followed by a significant decrease, such as observed in the 2025 sample, suggests that pupfish move seasonally and may use alternative habitats depending on time of year, FWC scientists found. Biologists noted that Lake Eustis Pupfish collected in March and April appeared more colorful, with obvious orange margins along the pectoral fins and pronounced blue color around the head.

The Lake Eustis Pupfish Cyprinodon variegatus hubbsi (Pupfish) is a shiny, small-bodied fish only found in eight lakes (Beauclair, Carlton, Dora, Eustis, Griffin, Harris, Yale and Weir) in the Upper Ocklawaha River drainage system of Central Florida. The Pupfish is a subspecies of the Sheepshead Minnow, a more prolific species readily found in estuaries along the east and west coasts of Florida. As a result of their restricted range and vulnerability to habitat degradation, the Lake Eustis Pupfish was initially classified as a Florida threatened species. Subsequent research indicated that the Pupfish is relatively abundant within its range, allowing the fish to be reclassified yet remain part of the state’s Species Management Plan. Although tracked, the population status and extent of habitat used by Lake Eustis Pupfish is still poorly understood. While the Pupfish is morphologically distinct (different in color and body shape) from the Sheepshead Minnow, it has yet to be classified as its own species. The Pupfish developed as a residual of Sheepshead Minnows who occupied inland estuaries when parts of Florida were covered by seawater. As water receded, Sheepshead Minnows became landlocked. As the landscape continued to change from brackish water to freshwater, the isolated populations evolved a tolerance for inhabiting freshwater. “Non-game fish like the Pupfish are often

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FWC staff work on a project gathering data about the Pupfish

overlooked, yet they play an essential role in understanding ecosystem health,” said Ryan Howard, Associate Research Scientist of the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Freshwater Fisheries Research of the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). “Because they aren’t targeted by anglers or commercial fisheries, their populations respond directly to environmental conditions. That makes them sensitive, early-warning indicators of things like shoreline integrity, water quality, habitat disturbance, and long-term ecological change” During FWC’s last Pupfish assessment (2025), a total of 1,868 Lake Eustis Pupfish were collected across 12 monthly sampling events that took place between Feb. 26,

Photo courtesy FWC

2025 and Feb. 10, 2026. FWC reported that Lake Eustis Pupfish abundance was highly variable across sites and sampling dates, ranging from 0 to 379 pupfish. However, the majority (70.1 percent) of Lake Eustis Pupfish were collected during the months of March (n = 510) and April (n = 799), with catch rates beginning to plateau in May. Of the pupfish collected, 73.7 percent (n = 1,377) were collected from sites with water temperatures in the range of 21.8 to 25.6ºC. Catch rates (fish/seine haul) (± Standard Error) of Lake Eustis Pupfish on Lake Eustis from February 2025 through January 2026. Mean water temperature (ºC) across sampled sites represented by a dashed line. (FWC)

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“Increased coloration and large, nearshore aggregations may indicate that Lake Eustis Pupfish use shallow, sandy bottom habitat with little vegetation to spawn throughout March and April,” Howard said. “Furthermore, the relatively low abundance of Lake Eustis Pupfish outside the months of March and April and their occurrence in November Black Crappie trawls suggest Lake Eustis Pupfish are using deep water habitats and potentially using this habitat type more frequently than shallow water.” Along with their limited range, a number of characteristics make the Pupfish special. Their striking appearance helps them camouflage in the sands of their habitat and sand-burrowing behavior helps them avoid predators. Sand burrowing may also serve as a thermoregulation strategy. Their nature to cluster to a small range of lakes in Central Florida is indicative of their genetically and geographically isolated lineage. And their survival in this narrow range and specialized ecological niche makes the Pupfish a biologically important example of localized adaptation and evolutionary change.

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Florida Communities Need Clear Rules for Data Centers. Here's a Place to Start. By IMRAN SIDDIQUI Florida has long faced the challenge of balancing economic growth with protection of its natural resources. As demand for data centers grows, communities across the state are confronting a new version of that familiar question. How can Florida accommodate essential digital infrastructure while protecting its water, land and quality of life? The answer starts with clear, enforceable standards. Across Florida, counties and cities are grappling with how to regulate data center development. Some are evaluating proposals, while others have enacted moratoriums while they determine what their rules should be. Local leaders are asking important questions. Where do these facilities belong? How far should they sit from homes and schools? How much water will they use, and from what sources? What limits should apply to noise? Who pays for the electric infrastructure? What happens when a facility closes? Those questions deserve answers before a project is on the agenda, not after. At the Florida Digital Infrastructure and Security Alliance (FDISA), we believe Florida can attract investment in the infrastructure supporting everything from

health care and emergency response to commerce and education while safeguarding the natural resources and communities that make our state special. Achieving both requires thoughtful planning, measurable protections and collaboration among industry, government and environmental professionals. Too often, data center debates become a choice between moving forward without sufficient safeguards and stopping development altogether. Neither approach serves Florida particularly well. A moratorium may buy time, but it does not establish the environmental protections and land-use standards communities ultimately need. Clear, enforceable rules provide a more lasting solution. That's why FDISA developed the Florida Model Data Center Ordinance, a practical framework local governments can adapt to their own communities. Developed with input from stakeholders across sectors and communities, it is free to read, download and share. It is not an endorsement of any specific project. The model is built around a simple idea – Protect natural resources and neighboring communities with measurable standards while providing a clear, predictable process for evaluating development. For large-scale data centers, defined as facilities with an anticipated monthly peak load of 50 megawatts or more, it establishes minimum setbacks of 750 feet from residential property lines and 1,000 feet for backup generators and exterior mechanical equipment. Those distances can be reduced only through a conditional

use, special exception or planned development approval supported by written findings. By default, buildings and major equipment must also sit at least a quarter mile from schools, or farther if needed to meet daytime noise limits. The model limits noise to 60 dBA during the day and 50 dBA at night at residential property lines, or a stricter local standard where one exists, with third-party acoustic certification and post-construction testing. Water protection is another priority. Data centers vary considerably in their cooling technologies and water requirements, making it important to evaluate each proposal on its merits. The ordinance requires a water-use report and prioritizes reclaimed and other nonpotable water sources, turning to potable water only when alternatives are unavailable, infeasible or insufficient. These provisions encourage more responsible water use while allowing communities to evaluate potential impacts on local supplies.

decision-making and is designed to be adapted to each community's comprehensive plan and land development code, allowing local governments to identify gaps and determine which standards and approval processes make sense for their circumstances. For communities that have paused data center development, the model offers a path toward permanent standards. For those already reviewing proposals, it provides a practical checklist of questions that deserve answers. We published the ordinance as an opensource document because we know it can be improved. Environmental engineers, water managers, planners, permitting professionals and county attorneys bring essential expertise to these decisions. Their feedback will help inform future versions and ensure the framework reflects the realities of environmental protection and local permitting.

The model also calls for early coordination with electric utilities, consistent with Florida's new law designed to prevent large-load infrastructure costs from being shifted to other ratepayers. And it requires a decommissioning plan before a facility receives its first certificate of occupancy.

Florida does not have to choose between economic opportunity and environmental responsibility. By establishing clear rules before projects arrive, communities can protect their natural resources, maintain local control and position themselves to benefit from the infrastructure of the future.

These are more than general assurances about responsible development. They are specific, measurable requirements that give residents meaningful protections, local officials objective criteria and developers clear expectations.

Imran Siddiqui is executive director of the Florida Digital Infrastructure and Security Alliance, a nonpartisan coalition working to make Florida the most competitive and secure place in the nation to build digital infrastructure.

Just as important, the model respects local

A Land Use Framework For Florida Data Centers By NIKKI DAY Data centers have become one of the most contested land uses in Florida as enormous consumers of land, water and electricity, and they generate persistent industrial noise and air-quality concerns that reach neighbors long after the ribbon cutting. Yet these facilities are essential infrastructure and Senate Bill 484 (Chapter 2026-65) now directs local governments to confront them head-on –- requiring that comprehensive plans address data centers’ infrastructure capacity, land use compatibility, environmental impacts and the efficient provision of public facilities. This is a basic land use framework and a candid look at the recently released Florida Digital Infrastructure and Security Alliance (FDISA) model ordinance, one of the emerging structures being presented to local governments. Start with definitions and tiers The threshold mistake is treating a data center as just another industrial use. Practitioners generally agree that data centers don’t fit neatly into existing zoning categories and that a general “industrial” classification is an oversimplification. A

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workable code distinguishes among the various types of data centers because their land, water and power demands differ. A well-functioning code will further align the different types among various tiers. Aligning one tier with SB 484’s 50-megawatt “large-scale” threshold keeps local rules in step with the state water-permit regime, but smaller facilities still warrant consideration and review. Build on existing mechanisms Florida’s land use framework already supplies the foundation for regulation. Most codes already include concurrency management and resource-protection standards that new rules can build upon. Siting standards should steer the most intensive facilities toward commercial and industrial districts and away from residential zones and environmentally sensitive lands. Address key impacts Three areas deserve particular attention. Noise and vibration – cooling chillers, condenser fans and generator testing produce continuous industrial sound. Generators and emissions – backup diesel generators are a principal air-quality and health concern. A 2025 Harvard analysis of one gas-powered facility found no safe level of exposure to its fine-particulate emissions. Water and power – demonstrating supply,

aquifer capacity and allocation availability and coordinating with the relevant water management districts will be key. The FDISA model ordinance FDISA’s “Large-Scale Data Center Development Ordinance” gives Florida local governments a well-organized starting template, with setbacks, buffers, a genuine low-frequency and tonal noise standard and decommissioning provisions. But practitioners should consider it carefully rather than adopt it wholesale, for several reasons. It regulates only the largest facilities. The model reaches a “Large-Scale Data Center” of 50 MW or more and defines “Data Center” generically, instructing that definitions simply mirror SB 484. It does not tier by facility type or capture the midsized and specialized facilities that still impose real impacts. It favors administrative approval. The ordinance permits large-scale centers by right in several industrial and employment districts and its “objective approval standards” bar denial, conditioning, or delay based on “generalized opposition” once objective criteria are met. While predictable, it may narrow site specific concerns and control that many communities desire. Its agricultural pathway may cut against sensitive-lands protection. The model affirmatively opens agricultural land to

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campus-scale facilities and bars requiring an agricultural-conversion, soil-productivity, fiscal-impact, or alternative-sites study solely because the land is agricultural. In communities with springsheds or other overlay-sensitive areas, that is a meaningful gap. It leaves key impacts aspirational. There are no air-quality or generator-emissions provisions; water conservation is framed as a “goal” hedged by “commercially reasonable” and “technically feasible” qualifiers; and impervious-coverage limits default to industrial standards despite the potential outsized footprints involved. It is not self-executing. The model itself directs that it be conformed to the local comprehensive plan, concurrency program and notice procedures before enactment. Because any regulation inconsistent with the comprehensive plan is void, that conformance work is critical and must be based on localized data and professional analysis. The takeaway The FDISA model as a checklist for consideration, not a finished product. The soundest course remains the one Florida law already rewards: data-driven standards built on existing policies and local mechanisms and built with community and stakeholder engagement. Nikki Day is a shareholder at GrayRobinson, P.A.

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College, Stephen F. Austin State University and the T.L.L. Temple Foundation, aims to address the state’s water crisis through research, data and workforce training. Housed within Stephen F. Austin State University Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation in Nacogdoches, the Institute will focus on five pillars – water data and measurement, education and public awareness, applied research and technical assistance, workforce training and regional coordination.

TEXAS Judge Orders Atmos Energy to Preserve Evidence in Explosion A Dallas judge has ordered Atmos Energy to preserve evidence following a May 28 explosion at The Clyde apartments in Oak Cliff that killed three people and injured at least five. The order comes amid a $1 billion gross negligence lawsuit filed by survivor Eric Peters, who blames the utility company for failing to properly mark an underground gas line immediately before soil testing and drilling took place at the property. The lawsuit alleges that Atmos failed to mark the gas line that an excavator subsequently struck. Additionally, the filing claims Atmos operated with known leaks and failed to replace outdated polyethylene gas pipes long associated with leaks and explosions. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the cause, with a preliminary report expected in the short term and a full rootcause report potentially taking over a year.

Entergy Opens $1.6 Billion Power Plant Entergy Texas brought a new 1.2-gigawatt natural gas power plant online in Orange County, providing enough power for over 230,000 homes. The $1.6 billion plant will result in a new energy charge on customer bills, estimated to increase household energy bills by $140-$165 annually. The plant will power 27 counties in southeast Texas on the Midcontinent Independent System Operator grid.

Houston Area Solar Program to Enroll 10,000 Households Harris County announced a new program, Affordable Community Energy, to build seven solar arrays and reduce residents’ electricity bills. The program aims to enroll 10,000 households, offering savings of over 20 percent on electricity bills, approximately $936 annually. Funding comes from federal tax credits and county infrastructure funds, with the program expected to be operational by August 2029.

Fort Worth Data Center to Begin Construction A $430 million, 32 megawatt data center project, named Colovore Alliance, is planned for Fort Worth by California company Colovore. The one-story, 156,500-square-foot building will be located in the AllianceTexas development and is scheduled to begin construction in December.

Academic Institute Will Research Water Issue Solutions The newly established East Texas Water Institute, a partnership between Angelina

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Energy Transmission Line to Bring Power to Permian Basin The Public Utility Commission approved a 370-mile transmission line project, the Howard Solstice, pending modifications to reduce construction through grasslands. The line will transport electricity from South Texas to the Permian Basin for the oil and gas industry. The transmission line will span 14 counties, including Uvalde, Kerr, Bexar and Medina. Commissioners directed companies to collaborate with landowners for route modifications due to property damage concerns.

Utilities Slow to Submit Required Plans to State Commission Only eight of 160 utility companies in the state have complied with a law requiring wildfire mitigation plans to be submitted to the Public Utility Commission (PUC), despite the looming January deadline. The law, prompted by the 2024 Panhandle wildfires, mandates plans detailing emergency protocols, vegetation management and equipment inspections. Lawmakers expressed disappointment in the slow progress, emphasizing the importance of proactive wildfire prevention measures, which include fire sensors and remote power shutoffs. The PUC is also requiring pole and maintenance plans due in January that include a complete inventory of assets owned by utilities, its location and age.

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on nuclear development with cost recovery through electricity rates.

Hyundai’s Steel Mill to Manufacture Reduced Carbon Product Hyundai is building a $6 billion steel mill in Ascension Parish scheduled to open in 2029. It will produce 2.7 million metric tons of steel per year to supply the company’s auto manufacturing plants in Alabama and Georgia. Korean steelmaker Posco is taking a 20 percent stake in the operation. The plant will initially use natural gas energy and will add carbon capture and storage to reduce coal-based emissions by an estimated two-thirds. The equipment is designed to transition to green hydrogen as the technology becomes economically viable, according to company spokespersons. Local and state officials negotiated a $2.6 billion incentive package under nondisclosure agreements to secure the deal.

Specialty Crop Block Grant to Support Farmer Producers The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will receive approximately $461,500 from the USDA’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to support honey, pecans, citrus and mayhaw producers through research, education, marketing and outreach initiatives.

Spaceport Buildout Progresses Amid Resident Concerns SpaceX is in the process of building a $100 billion spaceport in Vermilion Parish with 10,000 planned annual rocket launches. The project faces concerns from Pecan Island residents about flooding, wildlife, fishing access, property damage and environmental impacts. SpaceX acknowledged potential restrictions on property access and incomplete environmental and flood protection plans. Recently passed state legislation shields SpaceX from liability for most disturbances, except injuries from falling debris exceeding normal space flight risks.

Amendment 7 to Address Private Lead Pipe Replacements

LSU DeepFire Project Receives Prize

Louisiana voters will decide on November 3 whether to approve Amendment 7, a proposed constitutional change that would allow public funds to be used for replacing lead water pipes on private property. Passing the amendment would grant an exception to the state law prohibiting public spending on private entities, immediately unlocking a $152 million federal Environmental Protection Agency loan for the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board.

Louisiana State University Baton Rouge researchers, along with their industry partner Ailectric, have developed AI technology to detect and predict wildfires, aiming to prevent catastrophic damage. The project, named DeepFire, received a $100,000 prize from the XPRIZE Wildfire competition, which awarded $11 million for various inventions designed to mitigate wildfires.

While the immediate focus is on New Orleans, the constitutional amendment would apply statewide. The loan only covers a portion of New Orleans’ total lead-pipe abatement needs, which are estimated to exceed $1 billion and extend through 2037.

Louisiana Advanced Nuclear Exploration Program Seeks Funding from Ratepayers Public Service Commission regulators are considering a 20-cent monthly surcharge on utility bills to fund nuclear energy development, potentially generating $4 million annually. Commissioner Eric Skrmetta plans to introduce an alternative allowing utilities to spend up to $2 million

MISSISSIPPI Aluminum Recycling Facility to Open in Columbus Aluminum Dynamics, Inc. selected Columbus as the location for a recycled aluminum slab center. The facility is engineered to process recycled scrap into high-grade aluminum slabs, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to primary aluminum production.

Hitachi Expands Manufacturing Facility

This expansion will create 654 jobs and increase production capacity to meet growing demand for electricity.

Approved and Proposed Pipelines Face Opposition Environmental advocates and landowners are opposing two proposed natural gas pipelines in Mississippi, citing potential health risks and environmental impacts. The Mississippi Crossing Pipeline, already approved, and the pending Kosciusko Junction pipeline, would span more than 300 miles across 11 counties, including the predominantly Black “Black Belt” region. Advocates emphasize the need to prioritize resident safety and well-being over economic development.

ALABAMA PSC Approves New Data Center Rules The Public Service Commission approved new rules for data centers wanting to locate in the state. The new rules require more transparency from data center companies and require public votes on data center contracts. However, the rules also include a provision that would allow data centers to be approved by default if the commission fails to vote on them within 90 days.

Mobile River Bridge to Begin Construction State leaders celebrated the start of a $3 billion Interstate 10 toll-bridge project across the Mobile River. The six-lane bridge, funded by federal loans and grants, aims to alleviate traffic congestion from the George Wallace Tunnel and improve commerce flow. While the project is seen as a positive development, some residents and truckers are concerned about the tolls and potential construction delays.

Controversial Data Center Project Moves Forward The Lowndes County Commission approved a $1.15 billion tax break for a data center project despite resident concerns about transparency and environmental impact. The project, proposed by Cloverleaf Infrastructure, will bring 225 permanent jobs and is expected to generate significant tax revenue. Residents are concerned about the strain on local infrastructure and the impact on the community’s peaceful environment.

Environmental Management Commission Gets New Chair Dr. Ruby L. Perry has been elected chair of the Alabama Environmental Management Commission, a body that creates rules, regulations and environmental standards for the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. Perry is a retired dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Tuskegee University and has been with the Commission as a chemist/veterinarian since October 2018. She was previously vice chair.

Hitachi Energy is expanding its transformer manufacturing facility in Copiah County with a $528 million investment.

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PERSPECTIVES What Have You Recycled Today? America Recycles Day Offers a Reminder — and Florida Recycles Day Looks Ahead

By KEYNA CORY America Recycles Day, on Nov. 15, is an opportunity to consider two important questions: Why should we recycle, and how can we recycle right? Recycling conserves natural resources, keeps valuable materials in use, and supports jobs in collection, processing and manufacturing. Its success depends on everyday decisions made in homes, businesses and public spaces. Putting the right materials in the recycling bin helps reduce contamination and improves the quality of materials available to make new products. Recycling right starts with knowing what your local program accepts. Guidelines

can vary, so check with your local government or recycling provider rather than assuming every item with a recycling symbol belongs in your bin. Empty accepted bottles and containers, keep food and liquids out and follow local instructions about keeping recyclables loose. Plastic bags, batteries and other items requiring separate collection should stay out of curbside recycling bins. When uncertain, look up the item before tossing it in. As recycling systems evolve, education, technology, and partnerships are opening new opportunities. To explore these changes, the Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) will host Florida Recycles Day on Nov. 18 at the University of Florida TREEO Center in Gainesville. The program will bring together experts to discuss four key areas: Smart Recycling Technology: Moderated by Liz DeWitt of the Florida Beverage Association, this session features Alita Kane of The Recycling Partnership and Nick

Ciancio of Miami-Dade County’s Department of Solid Waste Management. They will discuss emerging tools and real-world applications that help communities increase participation, improve collection efficiency, and reduce contamination. Recycling Away From Home Report Up‑ date: FDEP’s Karen Moore will moderate a presentation by Hannah Sackles, a University of Florida graduate research assistant. The session will explore findings from the study on tourism and visitor activity, including opportunities to improve recycling in public spaces, hospitality venues, destination areas and Florida State Parks. Recycling in Sports Venues: Advancing Sustainability Through Partnerships: John Mitchell of Coca-Cola Beverages Florida will moderate a discussion featuring Laura Sivels of WM and Christian Bruey of PureCycle. Brazo Barber of PGA Sustainability has also been invited. Topics include recycling partnerships, fan engagement and the challenges of managing materials at large sporting events.

Industry Innovations & Sustainabili‑ ty Initiatives: Dan Penn of Publix and Patrick Krieger of the Plastics Industry Association will share perspectives on projects, packaging initiatives and collaborative approaches helping shape the future of recycling. America Recycles Day reminds us that individual actions matter. Florida Recycles Day provides an opportunity to learn how those actions connect with broader efforts to strengthen recycling across our state. For information and registration, visit www.flrecycling.org. Keyna Cory is the Executive Director of the Florida Recycling Partnership Foundation, a coalition of top Florida businesses and associations with the mission to educate policymakers, business leaders and the public about the benefits of recycling and how to recycle right. keyna@flrcycling.org

What Resilience Really Means for Florida By DAVID RATHKE In Florida, resilience is often discussed after a hurricane, flood, wildfire or prolonged drought. But true resilience begins long before an emergency. It is the ability of a community to anticipate risk, reduce avoidable damage, keep essential services operating and recover in a way that leaves people and infrastructure better prepared for the next challenge. That definition matters because Florida's risks do not fit neatly into one category. A coastal community may face storm surge, sea-level rise and saltwater intrusion. An inland community may face extreme rainfall, overwhelmed drainage systems, river flooding or wildfire. Utilities must prepare

for power interruptions, changing water demands and aging facilities. Farmers and ranchers must manage drought, flooding and water-quality requirements. Businesses need roads, power, communications and water systems that can function when conditions are difficult. Florida has made resilience a statewide priority through the Resilient Florida Program and annual Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plans. Those efforts are important, but resilience cannot be only a state program or a coastal initiative. It must also be a day-to-day practice of local governments, utilities, water management districts, businesses, agricultural producers, nonprofit organizations and residents, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s statewide flooding and sea-level rise resilience plan. The practical work of resilience is familiar – maintaining drainage systems, protecting drinking-water sources, upgrading

wastewater facilities, conserving floodplains, improving emergency communications, hardening public buildings, and ensuring that vulnerable residents can obtain assistance. It also means making land-use and capital-investment decisions with future conditions in mind, rather than rebuilding the same vulnerability after every disaster. For smaller communities, the greatest obstacle is often not a lack of commitment. It is limited staff, planning capacity and access to specialized technical expertise. State and regional programs should therefore help communities assess risk, design projects, assemble funding and manage implementation. A grant opportunity has limited value if a small town lacks the personnel to pursue it.

open, businesses operating and families safe. Florida should measure success not only by how quickly we respond after an event, but by how much disruption and loss we prevent before it occurs. Resilience is sometimes treated as an added expense that can wait until budgets improve. The evidence points in the opposite direction. Preparing before disaster is an economic-development strategy because it protects businesses, workers, public services, homes, and the infrastructure on which local economies depend. David Rathke is Executive Director of Resiliency Florida and has nearly 30 years of experience in water management. Learn more at www.resiliencyflorida.org

Hurricane Isaias in early October is a reminder of the importance of local preparedness. Resilience is ultimately about continuity – keeping water flowing, roads

Port Everglades Needs a Dredging Decision Built on Scientific Data, Not Drama By WILLIAM PRECHT The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and environmental regulators are being squeezed between two powerful public interests – a modern port capable of serving a changing global shipping fleet and a coral ecosystem already pushed close to its brink by development and climate change. That framing is real, but the loudest versions of the debate are not always the most useful. Port Everglades should not be expanded because economic growth is treated as automatically virtuous. Nor should dredging be rejected because every sediment plume is portrayed as an ecological apocalypse. The decision should turn on measurable risks, realistic benefits, enforceable

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safeguards and monitoring designed to distinguish project effects from the many other forces acting on southeast Florida’s coastal ecosystems simultaneously. The economic case deserves to be taken seriously. Port Everglades is a major cargo, cruise and fuel gateway. Larger vessels increasingly dominate international shipping and channels that constrain their draft can require lighter loads, tidal scheduling, or diversion to competing ports. Deepening and widening the channel should improve navigation, increase safety, reduce bottlenecks, reduce the risk of a major ship grounding, strengthen regional supply chains and increase jobs and revenue tied to maritime commerce.

Those are not slogans, rather; they are legitimate public benefits. But they must be quantified. Decisionmakers should demand transparent projections of vessel traffic, avoided delays, safety gains, construction costs, long-term maintenance and who ultimately receives the economic benefits. This review was completed for PortMiami in 2014-2015, which resulted in exceeded projections and expectations. The environmental case is equally serious. The coral communities near Port Everglades contain living coral communities in a region where coral cover has already been reduced by disease, marine heat waves, bleaching, water-quality degradation and decades of cumulative disturbance. Dredging can add another stressor

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through suspended sediment, burial and reduced light. The localized occurrence of protected species also needs to be considered. Even localized losses matter when surviving colonies are scarce and recovery is slow. The relevant question is therefore not whether dredging can harm corals — it can — but how much harm is likely, where it will occur, which species and habitats are most vulnerable and whether those impacts can be avoided, minimized, or credibly managed and mitigated. This is where the PortMiami experience should sharpen, rather than polarize, the Port Everglades debate. The PortMiami project produced measurable sediment-related injury to corals near the channel.

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PERSPECTIVES FROM DREDGING ON PAGE 12 It also unfolded during an extraordinary period of coral mortality driven by stony coral tissue loss disease and other regional disturbances. Some later claims assigned broad coral losses to dredging largely because the losses occurred between preand post-construction surveys. That is not enough and it’s not a science-based result. Timing alone does not establish cause. At the same time, uncertainty about large regional stressors cannot be used to dismiss clearly documented, near-field dredging impacts. Sound policy decisions can be made by understanding that both dredge-related and natural impacts can and do occur at the same time. Also, there are lessons learned from the PortMiami project that show what failed, where it failed and why. Using these to improve best management practices on Port Everglades will undoubtedly improve outcomes. The first lesson is that baseline science cannot be an afterthought. Before construction begins, agencies need multiple years of site-specific data on coral condition, recruitment, disease, sediment composition, natural sedimentation, currents, waves, storms, turbidity and seasonal variability. Turbidity is not the same as sediment deposition and a cloudy-water signal is not, by itself, proof that millions of corals are being buried, especially at sites far from the dredging operations. Turbidity measurements should be calibrated to total suspended sediment, sediment trap data should be paired with hydrodynamic

observations and monitoring sites should be positioned to detect effects both along and across expected plume pathways. Without that foundation, later arguments become exercises in competing inference. The second lesson is that monitoring must be designed to answer causal questions while operations are underway. Repeated observations of permanently tagged corals are more informative about cause of death than widely separated snapshots of coral abundance. Monitoring should document sediment accumulation, partial tissue loss, bleaching, disease signs, burial and recovery with date-stamped photographs and standardized in situ protocols. Those biological records should be linked to dredge location, operating method, scow loading, overflow, currents, waves, temperature, rainfall and ocean chemistry. Independent scientific review should be built into the program and raw data should be released promptly so that conclusions can be tested rather than merely announced. Real-time underwater video and aerial drone imagery should also be integrated into monitoring programs. The third lesson is to regulate the mechanisms that create risk, not the terminology that attracts clickbait headlines. The PortMiami review indicates that overflow of fine material during scow loading and transport was a major source of turbid plumes. If Port Everglades proceeds, managers should restrict overflow, minimize leakage, slow production rates if necessary and limit certain operations during unfa-

vorable sea states. They should also require rapid (real-time) operational changes including temporary “stop work orders” when biological and physical thresholds are exceeded. While blanket bans on a dredging technique like “rock-chopping” may sound decisive, they may be grounded in wrong or incomplete assumptions that can eliminate a methodology that, under some conditions, reduces project impacts, thereby limiting options to the dredging contractor. Ultimately, performance standards should govern results, while adaptive management should determine how to achieve them.

or that mitigation can make every impact disappear. Project opponents should avoid converting population estimates into likely coral deaths or treating all remotely observed plumes as proof of widespread burial.

The current pause in the federal and state permitting process should be used as a scientific reset, not claimed prematurely as victory or dismissed as a technical inconvenience. If the project scope, construction sequence, or mitigation plan is being reconsidered, the revised proposal should be compared openly with feasible alternatives: a different footprint, different channel geometry, phased construction, seasonal restrictions and modified disposal and scow practices. Each alternative should be evaluated against the same ecological, navigational, economic and engineering criteria. A preferred plan should emerge from that cost-benefit comparison — not from institutional momentum, litigation strategy, or public-relations pressure.

Port Everglades presents an important yet difficult decision because both the economic asset and the ecological asset are real. A responsible outcome may be a redesigned project with a slightly different footprint and stronger environmental controls. It may be a phased project that proceeds only after its first stage meets predefined environmental benchmarks. Or the evidence may show that expected damage to coral resources exceeds what was anticipated requiring significant additional controls and restrictions. Science does not guarantee one predetermined answer.

The media also bear a responsibility to report on this issue with rigor, fairness and accountability. Journalists should serve as honest brokers — not as opponents or proponents of the project—by scrutinizing claims from all sides, distinguishing evidence from advocacy, disclosing uncertainty and correcting errors promptly.

William F. Precht is Director, Coastal and Marine Programs for Bio-Tech Consulting

Both sides should retire their favorite shortcuts. Port advocates should stop implying that any delay is anti-business

WOTUS Needs a Bright Line. Put a Period After “Perennial” By HERSCHEL T. VINYARD The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) deserve credit for recognizing that their November 2025 proposal defining “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) created a problem. The proposed “wet season” test for relatively permanent waters was too vague, too dependent on local interpretation and too likely to recreate the caseby-case jurisdictional uncertainty that the Supreme Court sought to eliminate in Sackett v. EPA. The Court held that the Clean Water Act's “use of ‘waters’ ‘encompasses’ only those relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water “forming geographic [al] features” that are described in ordinary parlance as “streams, oceans, rivers, and lakes.” The September supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking defining WOTUS by EPA and the Corps moves in the right direction by defining “waters” as “relatively permanent” and, for a relatively permanent water to be subject to federal jurisdiction, it must be “perennial”. But then the agencies keep going. Instead of simply defining a relatively permanent water as perennial, the proposal asks regulators and landowners to

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determine whether a water flows every day of the year “under ordinary conditions,” subject to exceptions for drought and a dry period of up to 30 consecutive days. The resulting test raises questions about how much and what duration of dryness water can experience before it loses its perennial status. Rather than establishing a clear standard, the proposal risks creating another complicated, fact-specific inquiry. A landowner can observe whether a stream is flowing today. A consultant can identify wetland vegetation, hydric soils and hydrology. But who can reliably testify that an ungauged stream on private property was dry for 29 days rather than 31, or establish its flow conditions throughout a rolling 12-month period? Historical aerial imagery and published tools can provide context, but they cannot recreate a daily flow record that never existed. That is how a bright line becomes fuzzy again. Property owners do not benefit from an uncertain jurisdictional evaluation. Moreover, the Corps and other regulators do not benefit from a test that could turn every site into a science experiment, requiring a separate, resource-intensive investigation to determine whether federal jurisdiction applies. A clear standard should provide predictability for landowners and regulators alike. Sackett should be read as an instruction to stop “fuzzying” up the definitions of WOTUS. The Court held that the Clean Water Act regulates relatively permanent waters and wetlands with the required continuous surface connection. If the agencies want a

durable rule, they should define “relatively permanent” as perennial. Period. There will be hard cases at the margins. Some streams that previously received federal protection may fall outside Clean Water Act jurisdiction. That is not the same thing as saying those waters are unprotected. Florida is a good example. The state regulates wetlands and other surface waters beyond the federal WOTUS boundary. If a stream or wetland is not federally jurisdictional, that does not give a Florida landowner a free pass to fill it. State protections remain in place. The Clean Water Act was built on cooperative federalism. Congress expressly recognized the primary responsibilities and rights of states to manage their land and water resources. Federal WOTUS jurisdiction is therefore not supposed to be the nation’s only line of environmental protection. That division of responsibility matters. The federal government should establish a clear, legally supportable boundary for federal jurisdiction — one that can be readily understood and applied in practice. In Sackett, the Supreme Court emphasized the importance of a standard that “ordinary people” can understand when determining whether their property is subject to federal permitting requirements. The September supplemental proposal even envisions being able to determine whether a water is perennial by the “naked eye.” A rule that requires extensive scientific investigation and case-by-case interpretation risks undermining that “naked eye” objective. The agencies reference tools cit-

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ed in the failed “wet season” proposal such as WebWIMP, Water Watch Streamflow, the U.S. Drought Monitor, the Antecedent Precipitation Tool, National Center for Environmental Information climate data and other tools developed by an alphabet soup of federal agencies as resources to evaluate whether a water is perennial. None of these resources, however, were designed to provide means of determining whether a swale located in the middle of an abandoned citrus grove meets the agencies’ definition of a perennial water. They are in fact, meaningless to the “ordinary person.” If the rule is promulgated as proposed, landowners, local governments, school boards and farmers will remain in the same position they face today: either treat the entire wetland area as jurisdictional to move forward with permitting or risk spending at least a year waiting while the Corps analyzes site-specific hydrology to determine whether a particular feature contains perennial water. For decades, WOTUS has moved back and forth through rules, guidance documents, court decisions and field interpretations. Each new attempt at precision has created new questions for regulators and landowners. Regulatory clarity sometimes requires accepting a clear rule instead of chasing perfection through increasingly complicated exceptions. Perennial means perennial. Put a period after it and put your pencils down. Herschel Vinyard is Partner in Charge of the Jacksonville office of the Adams and Reese law firm.

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Florida's Section 404 Dispute Continues With Multiple Federal, Judicial Fronts By STAFF REPORTS Florida’s effort to regain control of federal wetlands permitting continues on several fronts, with recent developments in the courts, Congress and the executive branch offering different potential paths toward restoring the state's Clean Water Act Section 404 program. The latest judicial development came Oct. 8, when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied the federal government's request to reconsider its March ruling against Florida's assumed permitting program. The decision leaves the appellate ruling in place, but the legal dispute may not be over. Florida and the federal government may still seek review by the U.S. Supreme Court. Florida previously requested and received an extension of time to petition the Court, demonstrating that Supreme Court review has been under consideration. Under the Court's rules, the Oct. 8 denial of rehearing generally provides a new 90-day period to seek review, creating a potential Jan. 6, 2027 filing deadline. The central issue remains whether federal agencies can approve a statewide permitting program using programmatic Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation, with additional species-specific review conducted as individual permit applications are processed. The appellate court concluded that the federal agencies' approach to Florida's program failed to satisfy the ESA.

COMMISSIONER WILTON SIMPSON LAUNCHES LOAN PROGRAM FOR FLORIDA FARMERS IMPACTED BY HURRICANE ISAIAS TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced that Florida farmers, ranchers and growers impacted by Hurricane Isaias can now apply for interest-free loans through the Agriculture and Aquaculture Producers Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program. Eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers can apply for loans of up to $500,000 to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses and other buildings, or to remove debris or restock aquaculture. “Delivering immediate financial support to agricultural producers impacted by Hurricane Isaias is a critical first step to get them back on their feet,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “The Natural Disaster Recovery Loan Program provides a start with immediate financial relief, ensuring that Florida's farmers and ranchers begin to rebuild their buildings and infrastructure.”

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The denial of rehearing leaves that interpretation intact unless the Supreme Court intervenes or the underlying statutory or administrative framework changes. Congressional Activity In September, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Deputy Secretary John Truitt testified before the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries in support of H.R. 9017, the Restore Florida Water Independence Act of 2026, sponsored by Congressman Byron Donalds. The legislation would address the ESA deficiencies identified by the courts by recognizing the programmatic biological opinion and associated incidental take statement supporting Florida's 2020 assumption as compliant with the ESA. It would also eliminate the need for additional Section 7 consultation concerning the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) approval of the state program. The proposal follows a 2024 effort by Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio and Congressman Aaron Bean to codify the assumed Section 404 programs in Florida, Michigan and New Jersey while clarifying the statutory pathway for other states seeking assumption. The earlier proposal addressed state assumption more broadly, while the Donalds’ bill focuses on the particular ESA issues underlying Florida's litigation.

The damaged property must be located in Baker, Bay, Calhoun, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hillsborough, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Santa Rosa, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton, Wakulla or Washington counties. Impacted producers are encouraged to take photos of any property damage sustained and to save all receipts for recovery efforts and supplies. Specific details on the application process are available on the program’s webpage.

Executive Branch Activity The Department of Justice's August rehearing petition, filed on behalf of federal agencies, challenged the appellate court's interpretation of the ESA consultation requirements. The federal government argued that the decision imposed an impractical standard for programmatic consultation and could affect other state-administered environmental programs. Rather than accepting the appellate decision, the administration joined the effort to preserve a more flexible approach to federal approval of state permitting programs. The administration has also directed EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to review federal water-permitting requirements as part of a broader effort to improve affordability and reduce regulatory barriers to development. A March executive order called for reviewing requirements affecting wetlands, stormwater and other waters.These directives establish a general policy direction, but they do not independently resolve the court’s concern. EPA's revised regulations governing state and tribal assumption of Section 404 programs, finalized in December 2024, remain an important part of the regulatory framework Those revisions clarified the procedures and requirements for assumption but did not resolve the particular ESA consultation issues at the center of Florida's litigation.

UF leads regional effort to turn fallow winter acres into economic opportunity The University of Florida (UF) will lead a multi-state, multidisciplinary team to promote year-round agricultural operations in the Southeast. Funded by USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA), a $9.99 million grant will incorporate universities, farmers and ranchers, commodity groups, non-profits and government agencies in the effort. Their project, led by UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and dubbed the Conservation Hub for Economic Empowerment of Rural Stakeholders (CHEERS), is exploring and removing barriers preventing farmers from engaging in integrated crop and livestock systems and other winter cropping systems such as oilseed crops and grain crops.

Photo courtesy: UF/IFAS Forage Team

Cattle grazing in plots integrated with other crops such as forage and cotton.

AGRICULTURE AND AQUACULTURE PRODUCERS NATURAL DISASTER RECOVERY LOAN PROGRAM Interest-free loans up to $500,000 for eligible agriculture and aquaculture producers that have experienced damage or destruction from Hurricane Isaias. Loans may be used to restore, repair, or replace essential physical property, including fences, equipment, greenhouses and other buildings, or to remove vegetative debris.

Agriculture in the southeastern United States generates more than $55 billion each year, but it is capable of much more. In Florida, Georgia and Alabama alone, 4.1 million acres of row crops grow during the summer, but 95% of that land remains fallow during the winter. “This region offers some of the best climate conditions for growing winter crops, yet there are millions of acres that are underutilized,” said CHEERS project director Jose Dubeux, UF/IFAS professor of forage agronomy. “Putting it to use year-round can promote economic development and provide positive benefits to the environment.”

A potential administrative solution would require the federal agencies to develop a revised approach to ESA consultation that satisfies the courts while preserving the practical advantages of state assumption. Whether that can be accomplished without legislative changes remains uncertain. What’s Next The Corps continues administering federal Section 404 permitting in Florida, while FDEP continues administering the state's separate Environmental Resource Permitting program. Florida's next steps may depend on whether the state or federal government seeks Supreme Court review, whether Congress advances legislation addressing the ESA issues or whether federal agencies pursue a new administrative approach. Congress expressly authorized states to assume Section 404 permitting authority, yet only Michigan and New Jersey currently administer assumed programs. Florida's experience illustrates the difficulty of reconciling that authority with federal environmental statutes that continue to apply when EPA approves a state program. Whether congressional or administrative efforts ultimately restore Florida's program — or establish a more durable pathway for other states — remains to be seen.

CONSERVATION FLORIDA APPOINTS FOUR NEW MEMBERS TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS ORLANDO, Fla. — Conservation Florida is proud to appoint four new members to the nonprofit’s Board of Directors: Get Up & Go Founder & CEO Justin Buzzi, Bergeron Everglades Foundation Vice President and Executive Director Diamond Rose Bergeron, Uncle Matt’s Organic Founder and CEO Matt McLean and University of North Florida Adjunct Professor Daniel Button. “We are so honored to have Justin, Diamond, Matt, and Daniel join the Conservation Florida board,” said Conservation Florida Board Chair Justin Beck. “They all have deep connections to Florida’s natural landscapes, both personally and professionally. Having them as part of our board furthers our already stellar leadership and provides additional expertise that will allow us to continue our critical mission of preserving Florida’s wild places.” “What excites me most about welcoming Justin, Diamond, Matt and Daniel to Conservation Florida’s Board of Directors is that they’re Floridians who genuinely care about our mission and the future of this state,” said Conservation Florida CEO Traci Deen. “They understand what makes Florida special because they’ve experienced it firsthand, and they share our commitment to conserving our water, wildlife, and wild places for Floridians today, and to come.”

Interested producers can learn more or apply here.

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ASSOCIATED INDUSTRIES OF FLORIDA WATER FORUM When: Where:

Dec. 10-11 Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay

The 2026 Florida Water Forum is bringing back “Water Forum U”. This is a unique opportunity for sponsors and others to help educate newly elected legislators about water policy issues from a broad perspective. The Water Forum will also continue to provide an opportunity to hear from Florida’s top experts, policymakers and elected leaders. https://flawaterforum.com/ 2026 TRANSPORTATION SYMPOSIUM AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE When: Where:

Dec. 15-17 Hilton Orlando

The conference is led by the Florida Department of Transportation, covering a range of topics, from roadway design for engineers to workplace safety and using digital twins in projects. This year’s program will feature an Environmental Management Conference, scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 15. and the morning of Wednesday, Dec. 16. The agenda, speakers, presentations, hotel information and other details can be found online.

2027 FLORIDA GROUNDWATER CONFERENCE

2027 FWEA AIR QUALITY AND ODOR CONTROL CONFERENCE

When: Where:

When: Where:

Jan. 19-20, 2027 Florida Hotel & Conference Center Orlando

In January 2027, Florida's groundwater community will come together for two days of straight-talk science, practical problem-solving and real connection. This conference sells out every year. You don't want to miss the conversations and networking. The objective of this American Ground Water Trust Conference is to discuss groundwater issues specific to Florida and to facilitate information sharing among landowners, groundwater end-users, regulators, management agencies, scientists, engineers, lawyers and citizens who have economic or environmental interests in water resources. https://agwt.org/event/27flgw/ EVERGLADES COALITION CONFERENCE When: Where:

Jan. 28-30, 2027 Naples Grande Beach Resort

This annual forum brings together an alliance of over 60 local, state and national conservation groups, alongside scientists, policymakers and public partners, to collaborate on the full ecological restoration of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. The objective is to foster dialogue and align strategic advocacy on climate change resilience, water quality and habitat preservation across the historic River of Grass. https://www.evergladescoalition.org/conference

https://transportationsymposium.fdot.gov/

March 8-10, 2027 DoubleTree by Hilton at SeaWorld Orlando

The Florida Water Environment Association, in cooperation with the Water Environment Federation Air Quality and Odor Control Community, is pleased to announce the 2027 Air Quality and Odor Control Conference. This conference will bring together environmental professionals from around the world for a showcase on odor and air pollutant management. The conference is designed to educate practitioners, facility owners, operators, researchers and public administrators about current odor issues, foster informed decision-making and provide networking opportunities to share effective strategies and innovative approaches for control of odors and air pollutants. https://mms.fwea.org/members/proposals/ propselect.php?orgcode=FWEA 2027 SCIENCE & ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL ECO SUMMIT When: Where:

March 31-April 3, 2027 Sarasota Opera House & Five Points Park

Florida faces a future of declining ecosystems, rising pollution and unchecked sprawl. Do we choose this future by default or a new future by design?

forming and visual arts, speculative futures and community, we showcase a hopeful future where protected wildlands are free to flourish, healthy cities thrive with nature rather than against and communities move to the rhythm of their watersheds. https://www.scienceandenvironment.org/ project/2027summit/ 2027 FAEP CONFERENCE When: Where:

April 20-22, 2027 The Caloosa Sound Convention Center Fort Myers

The Southwest Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (SWFAEP) is honored to host the 2027 Florida Association of Environmental Professionals (FAEP) Annual Conference and Training Symposium in historic downtown Fort Myers, the 20th to 23rd of April 2027. The Conference will include a keynote speaker, breakout sessions, expo, networking opportunities, training classes and field trips, and it offers an excellent opportunity for environmental professionals, consultants, agency staff, policy experts and students working in a wide range of our fields to come together and present recent projects, lessons learned and new methods or innovative approaches. https://www.swfaep. org/2027-faep-conference

Through speculative storytelling and real-world solutions, EcoSummit 2027 moves from imagination to action across four critical domains: natural lands, resilient waterways, environmental-human health and living cities. It’s a positive, forward-looking alternative to the gloomand-doom narrative. Blending ecology and technology, per-

New EPA and Army Corps WOTUS Rule Comments Top 88,000 By STAFF REPORTS The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a significant new step in the long-running effort to redefine “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS, heading into the Labor Day weekend. Once the Oct. 9 deadline hit, the agencies received 88,835 public comments. On Sept. 4, just as most people were getting started on their extended Labor Day weekend, the agencies announced a Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that adds new regulatory alternatives to the WOTUS rule they originally proposed in November 2025. The WOTUS rule defines which waters and wetlands are subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act, including the Section 404 dredge-and-fill permitting program. Public comments can be read on the Regulations.gov website. The supplemental proposal is not a final rule, and it does not replace the November 2025 proposal. Instead, EPA and the Corps are expanding the range of options they may consider before adopting a final WOTUS definition.

Florida Specifier

The agencies proposed the initial rule on Nov. 20, 2025, as part of their effort to implement the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Sackett v. EPA. A 45-day public comment period closed Jan. 5, generating more than 220,000 comments. EPA and the Corps say the new supplemental proposal responds to issues raised during that process and provides another opportunity for targeted public input. The new document focuses primarily on two of the most important jurisdictional questions in the rule: what qualifies as a “relatively permanent” water, and what constitutes the “continuous surface connection” necessary for federal jurisdiction over certain wetlands. The November proposal contemplated using a “wet season” standard in both areas. The supplemental proposal now puts a substantially different option on the table: generally limiting “relatively perma-

nent” waters to perennial waters, meaning waters that stand or flow continuously throughout the year under ordinary conditions, subject to limited exceptions for droughts, dry spells and similar temporary interruptions. For wetlands, the agencies are also seeking comments on an alternative that would require perennial surface water in the wetland to be continuously connected with another jurisdictional waterbody so that it is difficult to determine where the waterbody ends and the wetland begins. These are additional alternatives, not decisions EPA and the Corps have already made. The agencies specifically state that they will consider the supplemental options alongside those contained in the November 2025 proposal and will not prejudge the contents of the final rule.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

The document released Sept. 4 was a pre-publication version. It was updated and officially appeared in the Federal Register on Sept. 9, which set off a new 30-day public comment period focused on the supplemental alternatives. The EPA and Army Corps must now review and consider those comments alongside the comments already received on the original proposal as they develop a final WOTUS rule. The development is particularly relevant in Florida, where the distinction between federal WOTUS jurisdiction and the state’s broader Environmental Resource Permitting (ERP) program directly affects wetland permitting and the interaction between ERP and Clean Water Act Section 404 requirements. The Florida Specifier followed this article with an in-depth analysis of the supplemental proposal, including how it compares with Florida’s formal comments on the 2025 rule and what the new alternatives could mean for federal wetland jurisdiction and permitting in Florida. To read that analysis and more Specifier coverage on this issue, visit www.FloridaSpecifier.com.

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41st Annual

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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Florida Specifier