Water Archives - WMNF 88.5 FM: Recent Episodes
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Glen Rogers is executed by Florida; FADP and Catholic Bishops objectIt was Florida’s fifth execution this year.
Florida municipalities are now forbidden from fluoridating waterGov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping agricultural bill that also prohibits businesses from labeling vegetarian or vegan alternative products as eggs, milk or meat.
An FSU student is indicted on murder chargesPhoenix Ikner allegedly carried out a mass shooting that left 2 people dead and six others wounded.
Committee considers disaster preparedness for older AmericansHurricane season officially begins next month, and older Americans are especially vulnerable. U.S. Senator Rick Scott says nearly 60% of the deaths from 2022’s Hurricane Ian were seniors.
Guido Maniscalco won’t be chair of Tampa City Council after allBill Carlson made a motion to revoke an earlier vote, according to the Tampa Bay Times.
Online misinformation can be spread by people who don’t recognize it as suchThere are tips to avoid spreading online misinformation, like verifying if other news outlets are reporting the story.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Seán Kinane
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane.
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The post The Scoop: Fri. May 16, 2025, Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2025 The News Service of Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed a bill that includes preventing local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies.
The bill (SB 700), dubbed the “Florida Farm Bill.” makes a series of changes related to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
“Yes, use fluoride for your teeth, that’s fine, but forcing it in the water supply is basically forced medication on people,” DeSantis said during a bill-signing event in Dade City. “They don’t have a choice. You’re taking that away from them.”
Cities and counties have added fluoride to drinking water for decades to bolster dental health but recently have debated whether to continue the practice.
Florida joins Utah, which banned fluoride in March.
Among other things, the bill will restrict plant-based foods from being labeled milk, meat, poultry or eggs.
The bill also will prohibit most operations of drones over agricultural lands, wildlife management areas or sport shooting ranges.
When DeSantis announced May 6 he would sign the bill, Florida Dental Association President Jeff Ottley issued a statement that said fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral already present in many water sources and is not a medication.
“Water fluoridation has been researched for more than 80 years, and overwhelming, credible scientific evidence consistently indicates that fluoridation of community water supplies is safe and effective at preventing and repairing tooth decay,” Ottley said.
The post Local municipalities in Florida are now forbidden from adding fluoride to water appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN) Storm Center | By Irene Sans
At this point, it’s easier to write about places that aren’t in a drought. Only the northern areas of two counties, Escambia and Santa Rosa, are not dealing with a drought. The rest of the state continues to experience a drought that is expanding and worsening day by day.
From worse to… less badAccording to the drought monitor scale, there are five categories: Abnormal, Moderate, Severe, Extreme, and Exceptional. Currently, the drought worsened in the first four categories, and there are no areas in Florida in the worst category (exceptional). The area covered by extreme drought increased from 4.86% to 16.87% in one week.
The area under a severe drought category expanded from 28.48% to 29.88% coverage in one week. The moderate drought almost doubled from 18.46 to 36.45 percent, and the abnormal drought decreased, on paper, from 41.85 to 16.54 percent. This is just on paper because it doesn’t mean that it decreased; instead, the areas under this drought moved into worse categories.
“Over the last 60 days, most of the central and southern Florida Peninsula received less than half of normal rainfall, with a few areas recording less than one-quarter of normal.”
National Drought Summary for April 29, 2025 by the US Drought Monitor
A week ago. This drought monitor data was released on April 24.What played the most significant role in the worsening drought?Yes, lack of rain. Most of the state’s official weather stations are showing a year-to-date rainfall deficit, with some areas receiving only a third or less of the average rainfall for the year so far. There are also the warm temperatures that contribute to higher evaporation rates, making the ground and vegetation drier. Temperatures have been warmer than average for the time of year over the last week, thanks to the high pressure that took over and brought southeast or south winds, bringing all the heat.
Lake levels are dropping across Florida.Could it get worse?It may. We still have the month of May, which for some is the driest month of the year. For some areas, such as Central and South Florida, official stations indicate that the driest months on average are a thing of the past, and this month shows signs of change.
For the Orlando area, for example, May is the 5th wettest month. However, the average rainfall for May is about 4 inches, still relatively dry compared to the wettest month, June, which has an average monthly rainfall of 8 inches. For the Miami area, May is the 6th wettest month, but with a similar trend to Orlando’s area. On average, the Miami area received 6.32 inches of rain in May, while June gets over 10 inches, making it the wettest month on average.
The Jacksonville area receives, on average, 3.42 inches of rain in May but then quickly rebounds to nearly 8 inches in June and maintains that level through September. For the Tampa area, May is the last month with an average of slightly less than 3 inches of rainfall, while June has an average of 7.37 inches.
For the Tallahassee area and other cities along the Panhandle, the trend is similar, but May is one of the driest months of the year. For Tallahassee specifically, May is their third driest month of the year, with an average of only 3.36 inches. However, there is a switch in June too! Average rainfall for June jumps to nearly 8 inches.
It could be like a switch!As you may notice, the big jump from one of the driest months to the wettest month in many areas of Florida is like the rain switch getting turned on. This will be mainly because of the pattern switch between rain driven by frontal boundaries, which get more scarce during the end of the dry season (May) to a pattern driven by sea breezes, where the heat ignites the sea breeze and with more moisture available there are more rain showers and the typical afternoon storms.
Then there are also those early tropical systems. Usually, May and June spin tropical or subtropical systems in the Gulf of Mexico. These systems tend to be messy, meaning they are not well-organized, and usually their heaviest rainfall is shifted to the east, toward and over Florida. Although a system like this can seem like a good idea to help alleviate the drought, it often causes more problems than it relieves, because its precipitation is too intense and also tends to increase the risk of tornadoes, as well as coastal problems like storm surges and marine hazards.
Ideally, to beat the drought, especially the most severe categories, we need a constant stream of cloudy days with regular showers. Heavy rainfall or downpours cause more problems than relief, because the ground, which has been compacted due to the drought, is unable to drain high quantities of rain. This produces flooding and many issues on the roads and for residents.
Fuel for any fires!It is essential to highlight that the vegetation is dry, and this also coincides with the peak of wildfire season. Dry vegetation serves as fuel for any fires that get started. Local and state authorities perform control burns to help alleviate areas with excessive dry vegetation, but please do your part in preventing fires, too. Avoid disposing of cigarettes over vegetation and avoid parking over dry areas; hot tailpipes can ignite fires. If the humidity drops and there are winds, avoid activities that involve fires or sparks. The winds can quickly spread fires and make them difficult to control.
The post 99 percent of Florida is in a drought appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN) Storm Center | By Irene Sans
If the wind is blowing steadily toward the shore, the risk of rip currents increases, but other factors and features can also make rip currents more likely to occur. They are not always easy to spot, so it is said that these are the hidden dangers of the beaches.
It is often believed that rip currents pull you underwater, but this is a misconception. Rip currents are fast-moving channels that can drag a swimmer away from shore and exhaust them as they try to fight their way back to safety. This is what often causes deaths. The National Ocean Service estimates thousands of people are rescued from rip currents each year in the U.S. The United States Lifesaving Association estimates that the annual number of deaths due to rip currents on our nation’s beaches exceeds 100. Rip currents account for over 80% of rescues performed by surf beach lifeguards. Rip currents are the leading cause of surf-related deaths.
Why do they form?Rip currents are caused by uneven wave breaking along coastlines, including oceans, seas, and lakes. They can form on all types of beaches, especially near structures like piers, jetties, or sandbars.
These currents develop due to differences in wave breaking: more waves result in higher water levels, known as wave setup, while fewer waves lead to lower levels. Water moves from high to low setup areas and then funnels offshore, forming a rip current. When strong winds blow directly toward the land from offshore, the risk of rip currents typically increases.
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Types of rip currentsThere are different types of rip currents. The bathymetry of the bottom controls some, while nearby structures control others. Bathymetry-controlled rip currents include channelized tip currents and focused rip currents.
The most common and understood one is the channelized rip currents. They are easier to identify, ranging in width from 5 to 100 yards. They can be as little as 3 feet deep or as deep as 10 feet, and they can be spaced apart between 50 and 500 yards. This type of rip current can happen in a fixed location for days, weeks, or months. These types of rips are easier to identify because their path is usually darker in color, which can be seen as calmer compared to the surroundings, but the surface has a choppy and rippled texture.
Focused rip currents occur in fixed locations but are controlled by alongshore variations in breaking waves, which are often created by offshore sea floor features like submarine canyons, ridges, and sandbars. The location of this kind of rip current can vary depending on the direction of the approaching wave. If looked at from above, you can spot these currents as there are swirls of turbulent water and sediment that flow offshore.
Structurally controlled rip currents often appear near groins, jetties, and piers. They are often persistent and can form even with little wave action. They can be grouped into two types depending on how they form: shadow rip currents and deflection rip currents.
Hydrodynamically-controlled rip currents are controlled solely by hydrodynamics — wave and current interactions — and can occur on featureless straight beaches. It is not possible to predict the exact location and timing of hydrodynamic rip currents, as they occur frequently and often change locations. Still, it may be possible to estimate the likelihood of their formation on a given beach.
Rip currents are not rip tides. A tidal current is a distinct and separate type of current. Especially strong and variable tidal currents are sometimes called a “rip tide” or a “tidal rip”. These strong tidal currents occur in areas where tidal flow is constricted, such as inlets, the mouths of estuaries, embayments, and harbors. These currents may cause drowning deaths, but they are a separate and distinct phenomenon from rip currents.
Tips if you are caught in a rip currentThe NWS recommends swimming near a lifeguard if you’re at the beach. If you’re caught in a rip current, it’s best to remain calm. Swim parallel to the shore, not toward it, until you’re free of the current. Then swim back to land. If you’re unable to escape, face the shore and call or wave for help. Make sure to check your beach conditions here before you head into the water this summer.
This is how you escape from a rip current.The post The science behind rip currents appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Florida Public Radio Emergency Network (FPREN) Storm Center | By Irene Sans
Florida continues with a worsening drought. There is an extreme drought now affecting parts of South Florida and a severe drought that has expanded across much of the state as well.
The only area that’s not experiencing a drought is from Alachua County northward towards Tallahassee through Pensacola. There’s a small area with abnormally dry conditions from Apalachicola through Panama City Beach.
These are the driest months of the year. As we approach the final stretch of the dry season, wildfire danger will increase, typically reaching its peak. Wildfire season goes year-round for the state of Florida and peaks between April and June. It coincides with the end of the dry season and the aftermath of a very dry one.
Drought monitor. A new update is released every Thursday morning.For perspective, here are a few rain totals so far this year. Keep in mind that the Panhandle area is showing signs of a growing drought. Therefore, you will see some totals that are closer to the average throughout the period. As we move more south across the peninsula, you will notice a bigger difference between averages and actual observations.
The Tallahassee area averages 16.63 inches of rain between January 1 and April 22. So far, the area has gained 16.24 inches of rain.
The Jacksonville area has received a bit more precipitation than average, around 3 inches above normal for this time of year. The area has accumulated 14.6 inches of rain, while the average for the period from January 1 to April 22 is 11.67 inches.
Gainesville is slightly below average through this time. Period averages between January 1 and April 22 are 11.54 inches in the area, with a total of 10.58 inches accumulated.
The Orlando area has received 4.02 inches of rain from January 1 through April 22. The average value is 9.43 inches for the same time. Period, we’re not even halfway through that.
Naples’ average year-to-date rainfall is 6.77 inches. This area has only received 1.91 inches of rain.
The year-to-date total across Miami has reached 4.23 inches of rain. This is about half of the average, which is 8.81 inches of rain between January 1 and April 22.
Keep in mind that the wildfire danger can increase if certain weather conditions are present, such as low humidity and strong winds. Dry vegetation serves as fuel for fires that get started.
Water conservationIn Florida, water management districts are responsible for managing and regulating water resources, which include water supply, quality, and flood control. There are five water management districts across the state, split by regions. Some areas have water restrictions year-round, regardless of whether drought conditions exist. The water districts advise residents to check their city or county regulations to see if any are in effect. Usually, local governments are the ones to enforce stricter measures to conserve water. Currently, most of the state is under some form of restrictions, primarily focused on lawn watering. However, locally, there may be additional restrictions in place.
Here are some tips for water conservation that you can practice year-round:
- Watering your plants in the morning or evening will limit evaporation.
- Take shorter showers.
- Shut off the water while brushing teeth or washing dishes.
- Fix any leaks in the faucet, toilets, or throughout the plumbing system.
- Make sure to do laundry with a healthy load of clothes, not just a few garments.
- Make sure to run the dishwasher when it is fully loaded.
- Using mulch can help keep more moisture in your plants.
The post The drought worsens in Florida; here are tips to conserve water appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2025 The News Service of Florida
Amid a battle about a plan for oil and gas drilling in Northwest Florida, a Senate committee Thursday approved a bill that would set new guidelines for permitting such projects. The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Committee unanimously backed the proposal (SB 300), filed by Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee. The bill would require the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to use a “balancing test” when considering proposed drilling permits within one mile of rivers, lakes and other water bodies. “This balancing test should assess the potential impact of an accident or a blowout on the natural resources of such bodies of water and shore areas, including ecological functions and any water quality impacts,” the bill says. “The balancing test must consider the ecological community’s current condition, hydrologic connection, uniqueness, location, fish and wildlife use, time lag and the potential costs of restoration.” The bill was filed after the Department of Environmental Protection last year approved a draft permit for a Louisiana-based company to drill an exploratory well in Calhoun County. A challenge to the draft permit is pending at the state Division of Administrative Hearings, as environmentalists argue the project threatens the Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay. Simon’s district includes the region. A House version (HB 1143), sponsored by Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe, is ready to go to the full House, though it has some differences from the Senate bill.
The post A Florida Senate committee supports changes to oil drilling permitting appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:Researchers at the University of South Florida are predicting what they call another major sargassum year.
In the open ocean, the large golden brown masses of seaweed provide habitat for marine life. But it can also affect tourism when it piles up on shore, releasing a nasty smell.
Separate research that brings us closer to understanding why sargassum is impacting beaches rather than staying offshore.
Researchers found that large sargassum blooms were carried from the open ocean to beaches in the tropics starting in 2009 by strong ocean currents and winds.
And the nutrients that accelerate the growth of the seaweed are supplied by an ocean process known as vertical mixing. That’s where water masses mix seasonally due to shifting winds.
Frank Muller-Karger is a professor at the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida in St. Petersburg and was involved in the study.
“It’s not that sargassum is a bad weed or that is reflecting pollution. Rather, it’s a natural phenomenon that we need to appreciate for what it is, but also learn to live with.” Muller-Karger told WMNF.
“These things happen at such a big scale that it’s hard to control. So if it is man-made, then you can probably put some pressure on some of the activities that may lead to nutrients in rivers- but if it’s in the middle of the ocean, it’s a lot harder to do,” Muller-Kargersaid.
Muller-Karger said his findings may mean that managing sargassum will be hard to do on such an enormous scale, and communities must adapt.
The post University of South Florida researchers identify cause of sargassum inundations appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2025 The News Service of Florida
A wide-ranging agricultural bill that would prohibit local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies is ready for a full Senate vote. The measure (SB 700), approved along party lines by the Republican-controlled Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on Tuesday, in part revises the definition of “water quality additive.” The bills come amid debates in communities throughout Florida about whether to continue the longstanding practice of adding fluoride to drinking water to help with dental health. A longtime critic of fluoridation in Escambia County, Pueschel Schneier told the committee the issue is about “medical freedom” and claimed there is no excuse for someone to claim they don’t have access to a toothbrush. “No government entity has the right to medicate us against our will,” Schneier said. “They have no right to medicate an entire population because they believe maybe a small portion of that population will benefit.” But Jackson Oberlink, legislative director for Florida For All, maintained that fluoridating water has been one of the nation’s most successful public health initiatives. “Are cavities the new culture war? Is the water too woke?” Oberlink said. Calling it “public health malpractice,” Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo in November advised local governments to stop adding fluoride to their community water supplies. The American Dental Association responded by claiming Ladapo was “misinformed.” Local officials in Port St. Lucie, Naples and Niceville are among communities that have agreed to remove fluoride from their water. The wide-reaching bill approved Tuesday also would allow the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to create rules to prohibit plant-based products from being “mislabeled” as meat and poultry products. The bill also would ban most drone operations over agricultural lands and preempt local governments from regulating the construction of housing for “legally verified” agricultural workers. A similar housing preemption was vetoed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who claimed the 2024 measure lacked enforcement related to illegal workers.
The post The Florida Senate will vote on outlawing local governments from adding fluoride to water appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:A bill advanced in the House today targeting beach access in one county on the panhandle.
It comes as some lawmakers say Walton County was unfairly affected by a 2018 law.
House Bill 6043, sponsored by Republican Representative Alex Andrade, would repeal a 2018 law that ended customary use on beaches.
Customary use means the public can access parts of the privately owned beaches.
Republican Representative Shane Abbott presented the bill.
Abbott said the law grandfathered in ordinances made before 2016, which singled out Walton County.
“Walton County was not doing anything malicious or different than any other county in the state that had, and has, and still has customary use that would warrant targeting Walton County with a legislative fix. The bill did not fix a problem, but rather created one inside the county,” Abbott said.
Customary use was also a hot topic in Pinellas County.
Last year, a federal judge sided with Redington Beach in a lawsuit with waterfront property owners over customary use.
James Calkins is a resident of Walton County and spoke against the 2018 law during public comment.
“What it did was it created a massive number of ‘no trespassing’ signs that locals that have lived there their whole life now walk to a public beach – they’re getting run off by owners of beach chair companies, security guards,” Calkins said.
The bill advanced unanimously in the House House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee.
A similar bill in the Senate also advanced through a subcommittee this week.
The post Beach access bill targeting a North Florida county moves forward in House appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:Florida’s Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force met in St. Petersburg Tuesday and gave an update based on recent satellite images.
The task force was reactivated in 2019 by Governor Ron DeSantis to focus on strategies to research and control red tide.
They are monitoring Karenia brevis, the organism responsible for red tide.
Red tide occurs in the Gulf of Mexico and can irritate some people’s skin and breathing, and kill marine life.
Florida is still experiencing a patchy bloom. Katherine Hubbard is the task force chair.
“It’s been a very dynamic bloom, changing from day to day and week to week,” Hubbard said.
Satellite imagery from the University of South Florida shows a large reduction in the intensity of the bloom since it peaked after Hurricane Milton- But it also shows it has extended along the coastline.
“It seems to have sort of calmed down, at least, in intensity – but also extended across a bigger part of the coastline,” Hubbard said.
It also shows that it has moved south across the west coast of Florida, as far as the Keys.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation website showed low to no amounts of the red tide organism Karenia Brevis in Hillsborough and Pinellas County last week.
The task force discussed red tide mitigation efforts, including further water testing along the coast.
The post Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force gives a red tide update appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:Water in Hillsborough County will continue to have fluoride.
This comes after a tie vote from the county commission Wednesday on a mineral that’s received national attention.
Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal raised the issue at a meeting.
“There is no way that I could sleep well at night knowing that we’re doing this and potentially exposing children,” Wostal said.
Commissioner Harry Cohen voted against the measure.
“It’s my view that it is highly irresponsible to take this action in light of the tremendous evidence that is out there to how fluoride improves the dental and otherwise health of children across the country and has for over a century,” Cohen said.
The motion received pushback and ultimately failed, with Commissioners Ken Hagan and Chris Boles voting no.
Commisioner Joshua Wostal, who sponsored the motion, voted yes, along with Commissioners Christine Miller and Donna Cameron-Cepeda.
This comes as fluoride is in the national spotlight.
In September, a federal judge ordered the EPA to address the impacts of fluoride in drinking water.
President Trump’s health secretary nominee, Robert F Kennedy Jr, has also repeatedly spoken out against the mineral.
Tampa Pediatrician David Berger calls Hillsborough County Commission’s decision premature.
“I would commission a study to see how much fluoride is in people’s urine, so that we know if this is a problem in the first place. And certainly, if people, if children were having higher levels of fluoride above what the research is showing is problematic, I would take it out,” Berger told WMNF.
He says fluoride can reduce cavities for many in poor communities. But it’s also been associated with lower IQ points.
Lee County in Southwest Florida voted to remove fluoride from drinking water this week.
The post Fluoride stays in Hillsborough County water after tie vote by commissioners appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Former Hillsborough County Commissioner and longtime environmental activist Mariella Smith and Assistant County Administrator and environmental engineer George Cassady joined MidPoint to discuss how to address the problems of poop, fecal matter, and sewage. It’s a dirty subject, but someone has to talk about it! We covered sewage spills, septic tanks & stinky beaches, along with the difficulties from the remaining leaky legacy septic tanks in our urban communities like Seminole Heights and Carrollwood, and the problems associated with development sprawl and expanding the county’s Urban Service Area beyond its water and sewer infrastructure capacity. Also, we noted that President Trump’s recently rescinded Executive Order to pause or cancel all Federal funding grants would have caused the interruption or cancelation of numerous sewage management projects already in process.
Find the entire show here, or as a WMNF MidPoint podcast from your favorite podcast purveyor.
The post The problem of poop appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
This Monday, Tanja and Anni are joined on the Sustainable Living Show by Justin Tramble of Tampa Bay Waterkeeper.
Justin Tramble has been Tampa Bay Waterkeeper’s executive director since March 2022. Prior to his role at Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, he served in local government management, working in various functions including parks and recreation, budgeting, and strategic planning. He most recently was the Assistant Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Treasure Island. Justin holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of South Florida and is a Florida native. He joined the show to discuss the health of the bay.
Topics discussed include:
-What is Tampa Bay Waterkeeper and the Waterkeeper Alliance
-what is a watershed
-Piney Point
-red tide
-how do we determine the health of the bay (keystone species, pollution, algae, seagrass, water quality etc…)
-what is the health status of the bay and how can we maintain/ improve it
-how is TBW and the Waterkeeper Alliance working for the health of the watershed
-testing on the watershed
-what things negatively impact the health of the bay and what can individuals, communities and the government do to change it
and more!
Learn more about Tampa Bay Waterkeeper’s efforts and how you can get involved by visiting their website.
If you love the Sustainable Living Show, make sure to tune in every Monday at 11am on 88.5fm or listen to past episodes in the archives here. You can also stay up to date with show happenings on our Facebook page. Head over to the tip jar and direct your donation to Sustainable Living to show your monetary support. Remember, it takes a community to build a community.
The post The health of Tampa Bay with Justin Tramble (Tampa Bay Waterkeeper) appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:An aquaculture project is planned for the Gulf of Mexico off of Sarasota County. There’s pushback from environmental groups and a deadline is fast approaching for the public to comment on modifications to the permit.
The not-yet-built aquaculture project by Hawaii-based company Ocean Era would raise red drum fish off the coast of Sarasota. The modified permit submitted to the Enviromental Protection Agency allows for the discharge of waste, among other changes.
Although the EPA public comment is only for the modification, Glenn Compton from environmental group Manasota 88 wants the EPA to reverse their decision to approve the project in the first place.
“Because it’s in open water, it’ll be virtually impossible to detect whether or not there’s a plume of pollution that comes from this, and by the time they are able to determine that there is a problem, chances are it’ll be too late to do anything about it,” Compton told WMNF.
But founder and CEO of Ocean Era Neil Anthony Sims said the location of the project will do the opposite.
“As we move out into deeper water, further offshore, with stronger currents, more vigorous currents, better water movements, it’s actually going to have minimal environmental impacts,” Sims said.
Sims said Ocean Era will be working with the University of Miami to monitor water quality around the project.
Here’s how to submit public comment.
The post EPA wants public comment on a proposed aquaculture project in the Gulf near Sarasota appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
On Tuesday Cafe (Nov 5), we had an Election Day special with a number of interviews.
Listen to the full show here:Craig LatimerOn the last day to vote in the 2024 General Election, we spoke with Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections, Craig Latimer, about how people can drop off mail ballots and what they should know about Election Day.
- Florida Voter Guide
- Guide to Florida Constitutional amendments
- WMNF’s 2024 Elections coverage
International Leonard Peltier Defense CommitteeLeonard Peltier was convicted of murder in the deaths of two FBI agents in a 1975 shooting. He is being held at the United States Penitentiary, Coleman north of Tampa. Many people think he was wrongly convicted and is a political prisoner. On Thursday the Free Leonard Peltier Now X account posted that Peltier was released from the hospital and he still needs medical care. We spoke with Jean Roach, president of the ILPDC Board.
McKenna SchuelerWe also spoke with Orlando Weekly staff reporter McKenna Schueler about labor issues at the University of South Florida and about what to watch for in Central Florida on Election Day.
Watch this show:WMNF’s Tuesday CaféTuesday Café airs live weekly on WMNF beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
You can listen live on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.
You can watch replays on TBAE Network channels at 8:00 a.m and 2:00 p.m Tuesdays on Spectrum 636, Frontier 34 and watch.tbae.net. Or on demand.
You can listen anytime on demand on wmnf.org or by subscribing to the Tuesday Café podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
https://open.spotify.com/show/311qfxLFcO8F7ZvnjgZogD – WMNF’s Tuesday Café with Seán Kinane.The post Election Day conversation with Hillsborough’s Supervisor of Elections appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
On Tuesday Cafe (Oct 28), we focused on two important issues in Florida: elections and water.
Listen to the full show:Florida Right to Clean & Healthy WaterAn effort to get a water referendum on Florida’s ballot this year fell short. But, we spoke with organizers about their plan to get the Right to Clean Water amendment on the 2026 ballot instead. They’re gathering signatures during Early Voting.
Captain Karl Deigert is the chair of the Florida Political Action Committee, Florida Right to Clean & Healthy Waters, and Joseph Bonasia is the chair of the Florida Rights of Nature Network.
Watch this segment:
“Unfortunately, the state does not permit electronic signatures. So every petition must be a hardcopy with what they call a wet signature, blue or black ink. We launched, as I said, back on Earth Day in 2022. We are just now really at the end of November, suspending our petition gathering efforts.
“We’re not close enough, really to merit continuing our efforts anymore. But we are, you know, redesigning retooling a campaign and we intend to relaunch again in February. So those people who signed petitions over the last 18 months or so they will have to sign the new petition when it launches again, later on in the winter.”
– Joseph Bonasia on WMNF
One week until the General ElectionA week before the last chance to vote in the 2024 General Election, we spoke with Pasco County Supervisor of Elections, Brian Corley, about how people can vote early, drop off mail ballots and what they should know about Election Day.
We also heard part of a discussion about Amendment 3, the ballot initiative to legalize the recreational use of cannabis for adults in Florida.
- Florida Voter Guide
- Guide to Florida Constitutional amendments
- WMNF’s 2024 Elections coverage
Watch this segment:WMNF’s Tuesday CaféTuesday Café airs live weekly on WMNF beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
You can listen live on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.
You can watch replays on TBAE Network channels at 8:00 a.m and 2:00 p.m Tuesdays on Spectrum 636, Frontier 34 and watch.tbae.net. Or on demand.
You can listen anytime on demand on wmnf.org or by subscribing to the Tuesday Café podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
https://open.spotify.com/show/311qfxLFcO8F7ZvnjgZogD – WMNF’s Tuesday Café with Seán Kinane.The post Florida Right to Clean Water amendment petition drive for the ballot in 2026 appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:Red tide is a harmful algal bloom that produces a strong odor like rotten eggs, and a large bloom has been detected off the coast of Florida that could contain the algae.
Satellite images show a huge mass of algae spanning from the Nature Coast to the northern part of the Everglades.
Tampa Bay Estuary Program Assistant Director Maya Burke says it’s likely a mix of red tide and other kinds of algae.
“That’s really what we’ve been seeing both in our bays and in nearshore waters, so it’s been all these other alphabet soup kind of algaes that people aren’t as familiar with – some of which are harmful, some of which aren’t necessarily harmful,” Burke said.
Burke says recent hurricanes could have an impact and it’s not abnormal to see blooms this time of year.
“They’re influencing the wind, the currents, all of those sorts of things, and they’re also influencing rainfall. And with rainfall, we have storm water runoff, and that storm water runoff contains a variety of nutrient pollutions,” Burke said.
Red tide is a harmful algal bloom that can kill marine life and make air difficult to breathe or cause respiratory issues.
Pinellas County says it will continue monitoring the bloom, with a county map showing low to very low levels on their shores as of Thursday morning.
The post Large potential red tide bloom may come to Southwest Florida appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
On Wed. Oct. 2, MidPoint hosted Jeffrey Chernoff of Insurance and Trust Co., an insurance claims expert, and Paul Hauzer, CEO of VetCor Recovery & Restorations, to discuss what to do and not do in the immediate aftermath of a disaster like so many in our community have experienced from Hurricane Helene. They provided us with valuable insights into the disaster recovery process.
Call Your Agent!First, call your insurance agent if you are insured! They will help you initiate a claim and may be able to help you engage a recovery specialist like VetCor or other preferred providers with whom they have a relationship. In the case of Helene’s damage, if your damages resulted from water from the storm surge, it will likely not be covered by your homeowner’s insurance, but will only be covered by a flood insurance policy, most of which are issued by FEMA. If your agent sold you a flood policy, they should help you with your FEMA claim. Even then, your flood insurance policy may only cover your home’s structure (floors, walls, foundation, etc.), but will not cover the contents, unless you have additional contents coverage for damage to your contents from flood. If you are not insured or do not have a flood insurance policy, still, file for assistance from FEMA at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or call FEMA Helpline. 1-800-621-3362. There are many different kinds of assistance available from housing or hotel vouchers, to food. You may also be eligible to apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance from the state if the business you work for is closed or has no work for you as they recover.
“Photos Are Free. Take Them”Then, as Paul Hauzer noted, “Photographs are free, so take them.” Before you begin removing and disposing of anything in your home, document the damages with photos and/or video. Then, if you have a recovery company engaged, they will begin to remove destroyed contents from your house, along with flooring, drywall, and insulation up to at least 4 feet up from the floor. If you are handling the recovery yourself, remember that anything wet, and anything at least 2 feet above the water line should be removed as soon as possible to inhibit mold growth. Contact an electrician, if you can, to examine your electric system and determine whether or not your power should be turned off or remain on. Stay away from unplugging appliances if you are in standing water or wet surfaces. The water is polluted and dangerous, so wear protective gear, rubber boots, plastic gloves, and N95 masks to protect yourself from noxious fumes and air pollutants as you clean up.
Beware of ScammersBoth Jeff and Paul emphasized the need to beware of scammers and carefully review any contracts with contractors you engage to recover from your damages. Florida licensed contractors can be checked at MyFloridaLicense.com. But, Paul noted that many recovery companies such as his will need to bring in contractors from out of state to meet the enormous demand for services after a mass disaster like Hurricane Helene. If the out-of-state sub-contractors work for a Florida-licensed company, the company will vet them and be responsible for their services. Our experts also urged listeners not to agree to an assignment of benefits contract where you assign your rights to your claim to the contractor, or you may find that they do not have your best interests at heart and you may be inviting litigation. Paul also wanted listeners to know that most recovery contractors will require a downpayment to begin services that will be a percentage of the restoration contract so that the company can afford to purchase supplies and pay their sub-contractors while your claims are processed. Eventually, if you have a valid insurance claim, you will be reimbursed by the insurance company.
We’ll Take Your Flooded CarFinally, many people lost their cars to flooding in the storm. You may have an automobile insurance claim for that. Also, WMNF is able to accept flooded cars as a donation to the station. Just contact the station and make arrangements and someone will come and pick up your car. The station will be grateful for your support and that is one more thing you will no longer have to address.
Listen InThere is much more information for you in the show. The entire show is available here, on the WMNF app, or as a WMNF MidPoint podcast from your favorite podcast purveyor.
The post Disaster Claims & Recovery: What To Do and Not Do appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The link between food security, poverty and health and well-being is undeniable. A visit with Dr David Himmelgreen professor of anthropology university of South Florida. Founder of The Center for the Advancement of Food Security and Healthy Communities.
Joined by
Doctoral student Kris-An Hinds, and
Masters student, Alex Whitacre.
foodsecurity #usf #Anthropology #SDG2 #222metoo #feedingtampabay #CAFSHC #nutrition
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Monday, August 19th, the Sustainable Living Show welcomes Matt Rihs to discuss August as national water quality month. For the last seven years, Matt has been the customer ombudsman, neighborhood liaison, and public relations contact for the FGUA (Florida Governmental Utility Authority) in Pasco and Polk Counties. Recognized annually in August, National Water Quality Month was founded in 2005 by the Environmental Protection Agency and backed by the United Nations.
Topics discussed include:
-where does our potable water come from (sources)
-how is water treated to become fit for public use
-what testing is done to ensure water quality and how can we find results
-do’s and don’ts to maintain water quality
-water conservation and money saving tips
and more!
If you love what we do on Sustainable Living, don’t forget to tune in every Monday at 11am on WMNF 88.5fm or listen to past episodes in the archives. If you’d like to donate to show your support, head over to the donations page and direct your pledge to the Sustainable Living Show.
The post National water quality month with Matt Rihs appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
The United States has one of the safest and most reliable drinking water systems in the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
A majority of Americans get their tap water from community water systems. Tampa residents get their water system from the Florida Governmental Utility Authority or FGUA.
The FGUA owns and operates over 97 water and wastewater utility systems across 14 counties.
Matt Rihs is the Community Service Manager for the FGUA. He said that they have to follow requirements at both state and federal levels.
“The Florida Department of Environmental Protection sets the state rules for drinking water requirements and then there is the Environmental Protection Agency on the federal level that makes us reach certain requirements,” Rihs said.
The Consumers Confidence Report (CCR) is referred to as a “report card” for the FGUA. These CCRs will list the levels of contaminants, the dates of testing, likely sources, and whether they exceed lawful levels.
On the CCRs, the company provides information on drinking water, assessment plans, and how to reach them. There is a list of contaminants that may be present in the water source.
The contaminants’ names are:
- Microbial: this bacteria may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, and wildlife
- Inorganic: these are salts and metals that are naturally occurring or a result of urban stormwater runoff
- Pesticides and herbicides: these may come from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
- Organic Chemical: this can be from the by-products of industrial processes, gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems.
- Radioactive: can naturally occur or can be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities
CCRs from 2020 through 2023 can be found on their website, which includes reports for specific locations.
“We have a compliance group that measures our, water quality its part of what customers see on the Consumers Confidence Reports,” Rihs said. “Those reports will tell customers how frequently we are required to sample the waters. This can be anything from quarterly or yearly based on results.”
Rihs said there has not been an exceedance or violation of the water levels.
If there is a violation in the future, strict rules are in place to notify customers.
The DEP and EPA set requirements about how quickly the company needs to notify customers if the water is in violation.
“We have a reverse 911 system to notify customers. We’ll also do as necessary, door-to-door delivery with letters to notify those with issues. But we are very consistent with maintaining excellent water quality,” Rihs said.
Some tips to help keep the water cleaner outside the help of the FGUA are:
- Clean up after your animal’s waste outside: it can speculate into the water supply over time and affect what the company does to treat water
- Dont dump chemicals directly into the ground
- Properly dispose of chemicals- use chemical disposal spots
- Avoid runoffs
- Be mindful of chemical usage
- Use more environmentally safe fertilizer
For more resources on FGUA and what is happening in your residential area visit fgua.com.
The post August is National Water Quality Month, and a utility group has tips for Floridians appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Tanja and guest host Grace are joined by Dr. Gary Mitchum of USF and Lauren Wolf of the Office of Resilience and Asset Management for Pinellas County, to discuss sea level rise in the Bay Area on this week’s Sustainable Living Show.
Dr. Gary Mitchum is a Professor and Associate Dean in the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida specializing in sea level rise, climate change, tides and El Nino/La Nina. Lauren Wolf is the Sustainability and Resiliency Coordinator and the Office of Resilience and Asset Management for Pinellas County who is a trained urban planner specializing in community development, administration and water management.
Topics discussed include:
-what is sea level rise and why does it occur
-climate change and the greenhouse effect
-the Pinellas County Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge Vulnerability Assessment (survey link )
-issues that occur along with seal level rise such as increased rain events, storm surges, erosion etc…
-how is Pinellas County taking action to mitigate the effects locally
-where/what/who does the data come from and what is it used for
-how individuals and communities can take action
and more!
One important thing you can do if you live in Pinellas County is let them know your experience with flooding by filling out the survey for the Sea Level Rise & Storm Surge Vulnerability Assessment, which helps them plan for the future impact of flooding in the community. Read more about the assessment and access the survey and the link in the list above or at their website.
You can reach out the Lauren Wolf directly at her email LWolf@pinellas.gov or find out more at the Pinellas County Flood Map Service Homepage.
If you have questions or would like to know more about Dr. Gary Mitchum of the USF College of Marine Science, you can reach out to him at Mitchum@usf.edu or visit the USF Marine Science website.
If you love the Sustainable Living Show, make sure to tune in every Monday at 11am on 88.5fm or listen to past episodes in the archives here. You can also stay up to date with show happenings on our Facebook page. Head over to the tip jar and direct your donation to Sustainable Living to show your monetary support. Remember, it takes a community to build a community.
The post Sea Level Rise Locally and Globally with Dr. Gary Mitchum and Lauren Wolf appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
First Lady Jill Biden visits Tampa on campaign stopWMNF’s Tyler Oldano reports how the First Lady says the president will support those who served in the armed forces.
Trump is scheduled to rally voters tonight in South FloridaTrump will be rallying voters in the Miami suburb of Doral. His speech might include President Joe Bidens reelection chances.
Settlement reached in Piney Point LawsuitEnvironmental groups on Monday filed a joint notice of settlement involving the phosphate facility in Manatee County. The Piney Point site includes hazardous phosphogypsum stacks that took place at the site from 1966 to 1999.
Water restrictions extended for Tampa Bay regionThe Tampa Bay region continues to experience drier conditions even with the recent rain. This means the restrictions on watering lawns will continue.
USF student is heading to the Summer OlympicsTrack and field athlete Abdul-Rasheed Saminu will compete for Ghana in the Olympics. He qualifies for the 200-meter dash and is expected to run the 100.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNFThe Scoop producer Leah Burdick
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com /
The post The Scoop: Mon. July 9th, 2024 Tampa Bay and Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Despite recent rains, the Tampa Bay region continues to experience drier-than-normal conditions.
And now people will have restrictions on watering their lawns for a little longer.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District placed a once-a-week watering restriction for residents on Dec. 1. Now, officials are extending those restrictions at least until Sept. 1.
Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco Counties are all under what’s called the “Modified Phase 1 Water Shortage Order.”
Each county varies slightly in restrictions, but all adhere to the once-a-week watering limit. In addition, low-volume watering of plants and shrubs (micro-irrigation, soaker hoses, and hand watering) is allowed any day and at any time.
- Hillsborough County lawn watering days and times are as follows:
- Can water between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. if your address (house number) ends in:
- …0 or 1, on Monday
- …2 or 3, on Tuesday
- …4 or 5, on Wednesday
- …6 or 7, on Thursday
- …8 or 9, on Friday, along with locations without a discernible address
- May used reclaimed water any day of the week, but is prohibited between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Can water between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. if your address (house number) ends in:
- Pinellas County lawn watering days and times are as follows:
- For customers north of SR580:
- Addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Saturdays
- Addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Wednesdays
- Mixed or No Address (such as common areas, entry areas/office complexes, shopping centers and other “no address” locations): Wednesdays
- Watering using reclaimed water is not permitted between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Watering using potable water is not permitted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- For customers south of SR580:
- Addresses ending in even numbers (0, 2, 4, 6, 8): Tuesdays
- Addresses ending in odd numbers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9): Thursdays
- Mixed or No Address (such as common areas, entry areas/office complexes, shopping centers and other “no address” locations): Thursdays
- Watering using either potable or reclaimed water is not permitted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- For customers north of SR580:
- Pasco County lawn watering days and times are as follows:
- Can water between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. if your address (house number) ends in:
- …0 or 1, on Monday
- …2 or 3, on Tuesday
- …4 or 5, on Wednesday
- …6 or 7, on Thursday
- …8 or 9, on Friday, along with locations without a discernible address
- Saturday and Sunday are non-watering days
- Reclaimed water can be used up to two days a week and only between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m.
- …0 or 1, on Tuesday and Friday
- …2 or 3, on Thursday and Sunday
- …4 or 5, on Monday and Friday
- …6 or 7, on Tuesday and Saturday
- …8 or 9, on Wednesday and Sunday, along with locations without a discernible address
- Visit the county website for the schedule to establish new plant material or sod.
- Can water between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. if your address (house number) ends in:
All wasteful water use such as hosing down driveways and impervious surfaces, allowing water to flow unattended, and using water in a grossly inefficient manner, is prohibited, according to SWFWMD.
Penalties range from $100-$500 for those found in violation of restrictions.
The post Water restrictions for Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco extended appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
Arguing that Florida has not adequately addressed the issue, a coalition Thursday asked the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to set water-quality standards for toxins from to algae blooms.
The Center for Biological Diversity filed a petition at the EPA that was joined by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Calusa Waterkeeper, Friends of the Everglades, the Florida Wildlife Federation and the city of Stuart.
It seeks standards for what are known as “cyanotoxins” and says such standards are needed to meet requirements of the federal Clean Water Act.
“Federal standards are necessary because existing state standards and protocols are inadequate to protect public health from these pollutants,” the petition said. “EPA must move swiftly amid state inaction, and public policy counsels in favor of EPA exercising its authority when the state does not uphold its end of the bargain under the act’s framework of ‘cooperative federalism.’”
In recent years, Florida has faced a series of algae blooms in areas such as the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.
The petition said, for example, that Stuart is affected by toxic algae blooms in the St. Lucie Estuary.
“Florida’s residents, visitors, aquatic ecosystems, and local economies are continually harmed by the toxic effects of widespread harmful algal blooms that have ravished the state due in large part to inadequately managed nonpoint source pollution and a warming climate,” the petition said.
The post Environmental groups ask the feds to set Florida water quality standards for algae bloom toxins appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
On Monday, May 13th, 2024, Tanja and Anni were joined on Sustainable Living by Lynn Barber, a Florida-Friendly Landscaping expert with Extension Hillsborough County, and Julia Palaschak, an environmental specialist with the City of Tampa Water Department to discuss the City of Tampa’s annual Waterwise Award.
“The Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards program is designed to recognize attractive, water-conserving landscapes in homes and businesses. The program seeks to recognize outstanding examples of water wise landscaping and promote Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles within the Tampa Bay area (Tampabaywaterwise.com).” The Waterwise Award is given each year to a yard that best exemplifies the nine principles of Florida Friendly Landscaping. The contest is currently open for applications!
Topics discussed include:
How and went to apply to enter your yard into the Waterwise contest
The nine principles of Florida Friendly Landscaping
Suggested native plants
Water shortage orders around the Bay
Techniques and systems to minimize water waste
Reducing stormwater runoff
Tampa Bay Extension office educational opportunities for the community
and more!
You can learn more about the Tampa Bay Community Waterwise Award or to enter your yard at their website here. Peruse and sign up for Florida Friendly Landscaping classes here at the Hillsborough County Extension Office website. You can also email with questions or comments at SaveWater@Tampa.gov
If you love the Sustainable Living Show, make sure to tune in every Monday at 11am on 88.5fm or listen to past episodes in the archives here. You can also stay up to date with show happenings on our Facebook page here. Head over to the tip jar and direct your donation to Sustainable Living to show your monetary support. Remember, it takes a community to build a community.
The post Tampa Bay Waterwise Award with Lynn Barber & Julia Palaschak appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
African farmers look to the past and the future to address climate change
Host, Walter L Smith II, declares The Forum is the place to analyze the work of Tampa’s new Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Also, bringing information, holding the powers that be accountable for their stewardship of the environment.
Announcing the Black Earth Day podcast.
Listen in archives.
The post A Voice for the Truth Commission, Energy Crisis appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
©2024 The News Service of Florida
Florida had a wetter winter than last year, but state officials are advising people to prepare for drier conditions that will increase the chance of wildfires.
The Division of Emergency Management lists the current threat of wildfires across the state as “low,” but Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said Wednesday that people should limit debris on their properties as wildfire season begins.
“Prepare your home regularly by clearing your roof and gutters or prepare your yard by creating and maintaining a defensible space around your home,”
Simpson said during an appearance at the Florida Forest Service Valrico Forestry Station in Dover.
Last year, with limited rainfall, dry brush and downed trees from Hurricane Ian, Florida recorded more than 2,650 wildfires that burned nearly 101,200 acres.
Drought conditions required several counties to issue burning bans and prohibit burning yard debris.
Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan said that through Sunday, his agency had responded to 518 fires that affected 8,190 acres this year.
The state had “significant” fires during the past week in Pensacola and Martin County, Dolan said.
A rainy winter allowed the agency to conduct prescribed burns that reduce kindling that feeds wildfires.
“The weather service is not predicting an abnormally dry spring, just a little bit drier than normal,” Dolan said. “Again, we’re going into the spring with a fair amount of moisture in the woods, and that’s good for us.”
The post Florida urges preparations for wildfires appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:Researchers at the University of South Florida have discovered a marine parasite attacking sea urchins has spread to a new species and region. They’re concerned it’s becoming a pandemic for sea urchins.
A parasite that devastated sea urchins in the Caribbean and Florida in 2022 has caused another die-off more than 7,000 miles away in the Sea of Oman, according to University of South Florida researchers.
Mya Brietbart is a USF Distinguished University Professor and co-author of the study.
“When we heard about the die-off, we were extremely concerned because in the 1980s, there was a die-off of the same species of urchin throughout the Caribbean, and that really led to degradation of the coral reefs”
In the new study, USF reports that a single-celled organism, identified last year as the cause of a mass mortality event in one urchin species, is the same parasite currently afflicting the urchin in the Sea of Oman, near the Arabian Sea.
Breitbart says urchins play a key role in protecting coral reefs.
“They’re really important for kind of maintaining the balance between corals and algae on the reefs, and so, when we start to lose them, essentially that’s another strike against corals that are trying to eek out a living under harsh conditions.”
Isabella Ritchie is a PhD student at USF and lead author of the study. She says there is still more research to be done.
“We’re still kind of looking into why it was so severe and how it spreads, how it’s transported, so that’s all future research we’re working on.”
Read about the discovery here.
The post Parasite may lead to ‘pandemic’ for sea urchins, according to new USF research appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
By Jim Saunders ©2024 The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — As court battles continue, supporters of Florida keeping permitting authority for projects that affect wetlands are trying a different tack: Put it in federal law.
U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., this week added an amendment to a bill to try to codify a 2020 decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that shifted permitting authority from the federal government to Florida.
The move came after U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss last month ruled that the permitting authority had been improperly transferred to the state and should be vacated. That has led to a flurry of court filings as the state tries to keep the authority — and argues that the ruling has left development projects in limbo.
Bean’s amendment, which was added Thursday to a bill called the “Creating Confidence in Clean Water Permitting Act,” said the EPA’s 2020 transfer decision “shall have the force and effect of law.” Bean, who served in the Florida House and Senate before getting elected to Congress in 2022, said “thousands of projects” are on hold because of the issue.
“Give us the chance to continue this important work in the state of Florida,” Bean said as he presented the amendment.
The fate of the overall bill is unclear, at least in part because it has drawn opposition from the Biden administration. In a statement issued last week, the White House said the bill “would weaken the Clean Water Act, remove protections for waterways that are vital to the well-being of American families, and undermine ongoing, bipartisan efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of infrastructure permitting processes.”
The Republican-controlled House passed the bill Thursday by a narrow 213-205 margin.
Bean’s amendment, which deals with what are known as section “404” permits, passed in a voice vote, after drawing criticism from U.S. Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-Calif.
“The state of Florida can pursue implementing a 404 program but through the proper approval process, and Congress should not mandate a program that has been deemed deficient by the courts,” Napolitano said on the House floor.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers usually holds the permitting authority, but the federal government transferred the power to the state in late 2020, about a month before former President Donald Trump’s administration ended.
The Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra Club, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, the Florida Wildlife Federation, Miami Waterkeeper and St. Johns Riverkeeper filed a lawsuit in 2021 in Washington, D.C., challenging the transfer.
The Washington-based Moss on Feb.15 found that actions by the EPA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in approving the permitting shift violated the federal Endangered Species Act. Moss vacated the transfer but said the state and the federal government could seek a stay of his ruling. He also did not decide certain legal issues in the case.
The state on Feb. 26 filed a motion for a stay of Moss’ decision. The judge has not ruled on the motion and has scheduled an April 4 conference in Washington. The environmental groups have opposed a stay.
Attorneys for the state also have urged Moss to issue a final judgment, which could help clear the way for an appeal. But the environmental groups Thursday filed a 39-page response objecting to the issuance of a final judgment.
In part, the environmental groups pointed to other issues in the case that Moss has not decided. For example, one of those issues involves the Clean Water Act.
The post The fight over wetlands permitting in Florida flares up in Congress appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Sister Connie Burton and the Sunday Forum/Fourth Estate crew
Tampa civic activist, Connie Burton, returns to WMNF to visit the Forum to discuss Tampa City Council Resolution 568. The Racial Resolution was the city’s attempt to address the injustices experienced by the African American population.
Also, the Energy Omnibus Bill, a huge bill which encompasses smaller ones, is analyzed for potential dangers for Florida.
The post Reconciliation Resolution, Energy Omnibus Bill appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
On February 19th 2024 88.5 WMNF Sustainable Living hosts Tanja Vidovic and Anni Ellis spoke with local environmentalist Tom Ries. Tom Ries is a nationally known ecologist with more than 40 years of experience restoring natural systems in the SE. His work has garnered numerous environmental awards and resulted in the restoration of more than 3,800 acres of wetlands and coastal communities. He is a recognized expert in nature-based shoreline stabilization techniques, having implemented over 50 living shorelines in the Tampa Bay region.
Tom founded a non-profit in 2003, which is now known as Ecosphere Restoration Institute to advance restoration activities through innovative public-private-partnerships.
In this conversation Tom brought up that the sea level has risen about 6 inches since moving to the Tampa Bay area in the 1970’s and how this is impacting the local ecosystem. With sea level rising and the old sea walls breaking down Tom’s vision of rewilding of Florida’s landscaping is something that needs to happen throughout the area. One way you can do this is by removing old sea walls and installing an assortment of native plants that are able to withstand the changes that we are seeing is vital to the success if we want to be able to preserve the qualities that brought so many of us to Florida in the first place. Not only do they add beauty, but they are longer lasting and more environmentally friendly.
Tom mentions that Florida has more natural springs than any other state. Most of which are on private land, or were redirected when developers decided to develop the land. The local non-profits are creating an ecosystem alliance to connect so they are all able to work together.
If you have a shoreline or spring that you are interested in restoring, Ecosphererestoration.org can assist you with this. Tom mentioned Public Private Partnerships, which is using public dollars to restore private land, because as Tom says “The birds don’t care who owns the property” they just want it to be there, and be clean.
Listen to this episode here on www.wmnf.org and please donate to the Sustainable Living Show on 88.5 WMNF Tampa.
The post Shoreline and Spring restoration with Tom Ries appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Bridget Ziegler won’t resignLast night, all members of the Sarasota County School Board voted to ask fellow Board member Bridget Ziegler to resign, except for Ziegler herself. Ziegler’s husband is accused of rape and a police investigation is ongoing.
Public education deregulationA Florida Senate committee supported three bills Tuesday that would deregulate certain aspects of public education.
Right to Clean Water won’t be on 2024 ballotA ballot question to add a Right to Clean Water to the Florida constitution will NOT be going on the ballot next year, but organizers say they will try again for 2026. The chair of the Florida Rights of Nature Network spoke on WMNF’s Tuesday Café. You can watch this full interview on our website, wmnf.org.
Information from Florida Public Media, News Service of Florida, and Associated Press was used in this report.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF SUBSCRIBE!
The Scoop producer Corey Beltran
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Colleen Cole, Corey Beltran
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Wed., December 13, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
On Tuesday Cafe (Dec 12), we focused on two important environmental issues in Florida: overdevelopment and water.
Florida Right to Clean & Healthy WaterAn effort to get a water referendum on Florida’s ballot next year has fallen short. But, we spoke with organizers about their plan to get the Right to Clean Water amendment on the 2026 ballot instead.
Captain Karl Deigert is the chair of the Florida Political Action Committee, Florida Right to Clean & Healthy Waters, and Joseph Bonasia is the chair of the Florida Rights of Nature Network.
“Unfortunately, the state does not permit electronic signatures. So every petition must be a hardcopy with what they call a wet signature, blue or black ink. We launched, as I said, back on Earth Day in 2022. We are just now really at the end of November, suspending our petition gathering efforts.
“We’re not close enough, really to merit continuing our efforts anymore. But we are, you know, redesigning retooling a campaign and we intend to relaunch again in February. So those people who signed petitions over the last 18 months or so they will have to sign the new petition when it launches again, later on in the winter.”
– Joseph Bonasia on WMNF
Opposition to the Bellmar developmentWe heard about efforts to stop a proposed development called Bellmar in prime Florida panther habitat along the Florida Wildlife Corridor in Collier County.
Michael McGrath is the Sierra Club Florida Lead Organizer and Marcela Zurita is a resident of Eastern Collier County who is active in issues concerning developments that might impact nearby wildlife and her neighbors.
Listen to the show here:Watch the show here:WMNF’s Tuesday CaféTuesday Café airs weekly on WMNF beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
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The post Florida Right to Clean Water amendment will have to wait until 2026; plus environmentalists oppose the Bellmar development in Florida panther habitat appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
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The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board on Tuesday signed off on renewing a controversial permit that will allow piping hundreds of thousands of gallons of water a day to a North Florida bottling plant.
The board’s decision came after years of legal battles and a recommended order issued in October by Administrative Law Judge Francine Ffolkes.
Under administrative law, Ffolkes’ recommended order went to the governing board for a final decision.
The issue centers on a request by Seven Springs Water Co. to renew a permit, first issued in 1994, to pump water and send it to a nearby bottling plant in the Ginnie Springs area of Gilchrist County.
Seven Springs filed the renewal application in 2019, but it ran into heavy opposition from people and groups concerned about issues such as the effects on water flow in the Lower Santa Fe River.
Ffolkes rejected objections raised in a challenge filed by the Florida Springs Council.
Under the order, Seven Springs would be able to pump an average of 984,000 gallons of water a day.
Water will be bottled at the facility owned by BlueTriton Brands — previously known as Nestlé Waters North America.
In the past, Seven Springs’ permit allowed average water withdrawals of 1.152 million gallons a day, though it pumped less than that, according to documents in the case.
Doug McLaughlin, an attorney for the Florida Springs Council, told the water-management district board Tuesday that it should consider the “public interest” in making its decision and pointed to public opposition to the permit.
But Doug Manson, attorney for Seven Springs, said the company had met the legal criteria for a permit.
The post Water management district approves Seven Springs’ permit to pump 984,000 gallons of water a day from Ginnie Springs to bottle appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Constitutionality of North Florida congressional districtsThe constitutionality of North Florida’s congressional districts was under question yesterday as a panel of state appeal court judges questioned attorneys. Some judges took issue with plaintiffs’ arguments against the state’s removal of the region’s only district where African-American voters could elect their candidate of choice.
Rice’s whalesA petition seeking to protect of one the most endangered whales in the world by creating restrictions near Florida’s west-coast ports was denied by federal officials on Friday.
Mosaic leakThere’s a possible leak of radioactive water from a phosphogypsum stack at Mosaic’s New Wales Plant in Polk County. The same location was the site of a massive sinkhole that drained millions of gallons of processed wastewater into the aquifer in 2016. A staff attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity was on WMNF’s Tuesday Café. You can watch the full interview on our website wmnf.org. Mosaic says the water will be recovered.
Florida buys Israel bondsFlorida is buying an additional $120 million in bonds to assist Israel during the growing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis announced yesterday. The state’s current holdings in Israel bonds are $200 million.
Information from the Florida Public Media, News Service of Florida, and Associated Press was used in this report.
The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF SUBSCRIBE!
The Scoop producer Corey Beltran
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Sean Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Ta’Leah Van Sistine, Colleen Cole, Taylor Lovejoy
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy, Justin Seecharan, Novia Levy, Camilla Carrero, Kayla Allen
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
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The post The Scoop: Wed., November 1, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
Listen:A petition seeking to protect of one the most endangered whales in the world by creating restrictions near Florida’s west-coast ports was denied by federal officials on Friday.
The petition would have restricted speeds for vessels and banned transit at night along waters from Pensacola to just south of Tampa. It was submitted by various environmental groups to NOAA Fisheries.
But in a bulletin posted on their website, NOAA Fisheries said that fundamental conservation tasks are needed before they consider vessel regulations.
Michael Jasny is the Director of the Marine Mammal Protection Project at the Natural Resources Defense Council. He spoke out after the proposal was denied.
“Last year, a group of about 100 marine scientists said that unless meaningful conservation measures are taken, the United States are going to cause the first-ever extinction of a great whale species. And that is exactly what we’re looking at,”
Jasny stressed the importance of vessel regulations to protect the whale.
“We know that vessel strikes pose a very serious risk for the survival of the species, we know how to reduce vessel strikes in a way that’s practicable, yet we find that the federal government hasn’t acted.”
But Michael Rubin, CEO of the Florida Ports Council, considers this a win.
“We always thought the petition was fundamentally flawed, really was a request with some regulations that really didn’t make any sense for logistics and supply chain industry in Florida”
Rubin says it would have been a setback for Florida ports.
“We know what the trade route lanes are, so can we do stuff with sonar and everything else to help out on it? And that, to us, is a better discussion rather than coming out with a bright-line regulation that shuts down commerce,”
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott also called on NOAA to reject the proposed rule.
The post NOAA Fisheries denies petition for endangered whale protection near ports, sparking concern appeared first on WMNF 88.5 FM.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The_Scoop_230906.mp3Inmate faces lethal injectionInmate Michael Duane Zack is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection on October 3rd. His attorneys have now approached the Florida Supreme Court.
Tampa tax hike rejectedTampa City Council voted to reject Mayor Jane Castor’s proposed budget at a meeting that included four hours of public comment. Property taxes will remain at their current rate.
Toxins in Little Half Moon LakeThe Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in Little Half Moon Lake – South in northwest Hillsborough County. The public should exercise caution in and around the lake.
Hillsborough County agreement endsHillsborough County has decided not to renew an agreement with The Florida Institute for Community Studies to use an office and classroom in Town ‘N Country where children had been getting after-school help with math, reading, and English.
Port Miami-Dade in hot waterA new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found that dredging that took place in Port Miami almost a decade ago could cost Miami-Dade County hundreds of millions of dollars to fix.
Power finally restoredSome residents of Madison County finally got their power back four days after Idalia roared through.
Another hurricane will formTropical Storm Lee formed in the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to strengthen into a Category 4 hurricane as it approaches and passes the Caribbean over the weekend. The storm was located about 1,200 miles east of the Lesser Antilles on September 5th.
Information from the Florida Public Media, News Service of Florida, and Associated Press was used in this report.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The_Scoop_230906.mp3The Scoop: Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF SUBSCRIBE!
The Scoop producer Corey Beltran
WMNF anchors Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane
WMNF News Director Sean Kinane
WMNF reporters Chris Young, Lisa Marzilli, Josh Holton, Seán Kinane, Ta’Leah Van Sistine, Colleen Cole, Taylor Lovejoy
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy, Justin Seecharan, Novia Levy, Camilla Carrero, Kayla Allen
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
The post The Scoop: Wed., September 6, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
Robin Broad and John Cavanagh are passionate about their cause. The story they tell in The Water Defenders – How Ordinary People Saved A Country From Corporate Greed tells the inspirational story of a community that took on an international mining corporation at seemingly insurmountable odds and won not one but two historic victories. In the early 2000s, many people in El Salvador were at first excited by the prospect of jobs, progress, and prosperity that the Pacific Rim mining company promised. However, farmer Vidalina Morales, brothers Marcelo and Miguel Rivera, and others soon discovered that the river system supplying water to the majority of Salvadorans was in danger of catastrophic contamination. With a group of unlikely allies, local and global, they committed to stop the corporation and the destruction of their home. Based on over a decade of research and their own role as international allies of the community groups in El Salvador, Robin Broad and John Cavanagh unspool this untold story—a tale replete with corporate greed, a transnational lawsuit at a secretive World Bank tribunal in Washington, violent threats, murders, and—surprisingly—victory. The husband-and-wife duo immerses the reader in the lives of the Salvadoran villagers, the journeys of the local activists who sought the truth about the effects of gold mining on the environment, and the behind-the-scenes maneuverings of the corporate mining executives and their lawyers. The Water Defenders demands that we examine our assumptions about progress and prosperity while providing valuable lessons for those fighting against destructive corporations in the United States and across the world.
Show 435
The post A Blueprint For Global Action appeared first on WMNF.
Gopher Tortoise’s protection The Gopher tortoise is a threatened species native to the southeastern US. The Center for Biological Diversity is suing the US Fish and Wildlife Service for denying the animal Endangered Species Act protections. Federal lawsuit to block new education standards A group opposing Gov. Ron DeSantis’ efforts to remake New College... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Wed., August 16, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
Heatwave sets records in Florida From the Panhandle to the Keys, temperature records were either matched or set yesterday afternoon. We’ll chase records again today across the state. Federal employees feel disgraced On a trip to New Hampshire last week, Ron DeSantis stated that if elected president, when it comes to federal employees, “we... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Wed., August 9, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
A decision on whether to allow a gas station above an underground river that feeds Wakulla Springs was postponed and there may be a Plan B.
The post Vote to allow a gas station above an underground river that feeds Wakulla Springs is delayed & commissioners ask for it to be protected by Florida Forever appeared first on WMNF.
The Host calls in with updates on environmental dangers including coal ash fallout and the use of phosphogypsum, the radioactive waste from processing phosphate ore into phosphoric acid which is predominantly used in fertilizer. EPA has determined that phosphogypsum poses a cancer risk from its radon emissions. Federal workers denounce violence-speak on the campaign trail... Read more »
The post Dangers in Politics, Economy and Environment appeared first on WMNF.
Donald Trump to surrender to federal authorities Donald Trump is scheduled to surrender to federal authorities in Washington this afternoon. He will be booked and fingerprinted before being escorted to his arraignment, which has been set for 4 pm. Trump has been charged based on his attempt to overturn his 2020 election defeat. A local... Read more »
The post The Scoop: Thurs., August 3, 2023 Tampa Bay & Florida headlines by WMNF appeared first on WMNF.
Skyway fishing pier has new rules for anglers The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved new rules on Wed. for the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. The rules are aimed at protecting thousands of seabirds that become entangled at the park. FWC also approved a new rule that creates a Springs Protection Zone along... Read more »
The post The Scoop: WMNF’s daily digest of news headlines for Thursday, July 20th, 2023 appeared first on WMNF.
Listen: This hurricane season, the City of Tampa is urging residents to keep leftover fat, oil, grease, and especially wet wipes out of the drain. At a wastewater plant in Tampa, a technician removes a blob of grey debris from a bar screen. Bar screens are filters that keep materials such as wipes, rags, and... Read more »
The post Tampa urges residents to keep fat, oil, grease, and wet wipes out of drains appeared first on WMNF.
Listen: A petition is seeking to protect of one the most endangered whales in the world by creating restrictions near Florida’s west-coast ports. However, the CEO of the Florida Ports Council says it may do more harm than good. The petition seeks to protect the endangered Rice’s Whale. It restricts speeds for vessels and bans... Read more »
The post Petition to protect endangered Rice’s whale draws mixed reactions appeared first on WMNF.
Listen:
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NEWS_UniversityWaterweb.mp3A low-income community next to the University of South Florida has long suffered from a lack of clean water.
Dr. Sarah Combs is an advocate for the Hillsborough community of University and the CEO of University Area Development Corporation. When Combs overheard neighborhood mothers complaining about not being able to bathe their own children at home, she was concerned.
“They brought me to their house and showed me the water. When they turned on the faucet it was brown, and they said their kids were getting UTIs, ringworm, so they couldn’t bathe their children.”
Dr. Combs investigated, and what she found was troubling.
“It wasn’t just that specific apartment complex. It was a number of different apartments in the community and homes in the community that didn’t have access to clean drinking water, as well as sewer.”
Many homes were built without connections to water and sewer, or never connected when services became available. They rely on private wells and septic tanks, sometimes with poor water quality.
Hillsborough County has created a new program to improve water quality for residents by converting them to city water. It’s free for residential property owners.
However, a majority of University residents are renters.
For multifamily properties, the program will cover construction and related connection costs, but not City of Tampa’s application fee or impact fees. The impact fees are over a thousand dollars per equivalent residential unit (ERU).
“Being in a community that is majority renter, you wonder, is these new connection programs, are they going to be passed down to the resident? And so that’s kind of a hard line we have to walk in educating the owners”
Dr. Combs says they have been speaking with landlords about this issue of passing the costs down to their mostly low-income residents. She hopes that they will understand the benefits of the program. With Tampa’s rising rents, she wants to make sure people are not priced out and can benefit from the program.
“Majority of our community is people of color so we really want to make sure that residents in our community get the availability and opportunity to have what other community residents have.”
University Area residents interested in the program can email elewis@appliedflorida.com
The post Hillsborough County takes action to improve water quality in neglected community after push from advocates appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEWS_WeekiWachee0307web.mp3Spring break season is approaching. That’s a time when Florida’s fragile rivers can get damaged from overuse. Local and state partners want to minimize environmental damage to a popular Hernando County destination.
The Weeki Wachee River in Hernando County has been a popular vacation spot since the 50’s, with kayaking, boating, and the deepest freshwater cave system in the country.
However, researchers say the influx of spring break visitors may cause problems.
“What we do on the river can impact the river without us even realizing it. The district conducted an ecological study and the study found that there was a direct between recreational use on the river, as well as environmental damage.” Dr. Madison Trowbridge, springs scientist at the Southwest Florida Water Management District, tells WMNF.
“The district created seven tips in order to help protect the Weeki Wachee River. These are: stay in your vessels if possible, if you have to leave your vessel, tie off in shallow waters, avoid docking on riverbanks, don’t trample on vegetation or pick up silt, avoid climbing on banks and walking on sandpoint bars, don’t climb trees or use rope swings, and don’t throw out litter or leave anything behind.”
To learn more about the protection efforts, visit watermatters.org/protectweeki
The post Researchers work to protect a popular Florida river before the spring break season appeared first on WMNF.
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/NEWS_RedTideSS0227.mp3Red Tide is back in several Tampa Bay area coastal counties. But, it’s outside of the typical season.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports low to medium concentrations of red tide in Pinellas and Manatee County and high concentrations in Sarasota County. Red tide is when there is a higher-than-normal concentration of a particular kind of algae. Red Tide can kill marine life and be harmful to humans.
Matthew Garrett, Associate Researcher at Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, says it’s not typical red tide season in Florida.
“We typically see it usually in the later months, in the fall and into the winter, so September into kind of December is the main time we typically see them, so having it this time of year, although, again, is not totally unheard of, it’s typically less common.” he tells WMNF News.
As for when we should expect it to disappear- it’s currently unknown.
“We’re really good at knowing where it is now, and trying to get better at knowing where it’s going to be, but the initiation and the termination of these bloom events has become, is still enigmatic so they’re kind of hard to predict and tell.”
The post Red tide reported outside of typical season appeared first on WMNF.
Red Tide has remained in Southwest Florida as of Wednesday. Medium levels of red tide have been discovered in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, and Sarasota Counties and at the mouth of Tampa Bay. As reported on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website, higher concentrations are being measured in Charlotte County. Lower levels are detected in Madeira Beach and Maximo Park, located in Pinellas County. Red tide has not been found in Lee County and Collier County. There are reports of fish kills likely caused by red tide from Pinellas County to Sarasota County. For more information please go to: www.myfwc.com.
The post Red tide still lingers from Pinellas to Sarasota appeared first on WMNF.
About two years ago, opponents of a plan to allow a giant corporation to draw more water from Florida’s pristine springs and aquifer suffered a setback.
The food giant Nestlé was working with a company called Seven Springs Water to apply for a permit renewal to take nearly a million gallons a day of water from springs connected to the Santa Fe River.
And an administrative law judge ruled in favor of the permit applicants, contradicting staff recommendations from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
Since then, Nestlé has sold its bottled water division, reportedly for more than $4 billion to BlueTriton.
And recently the Florida Springs Council won their appeal and will be granted a Department of Administrative Hearing on the issuance of the bottled water permit by the Suwannee River Water Management Board members to Seven Springs Water Company.
To talk about the latest developments and about how pollution, development and bottled water are impacting Florida’s freshwater springs, we spoke with Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, a board member with the group Our Santa Fe River.
Listen to the show here:Watch the interview:Spring Protection ZoneIn November-December of 2022, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) established a Springs Protection Zone for Nichols Spring and its associated spring run in Sumter County.
“The Spring Protection Zone for Nichols Spring will be the first created in Florida. Anchoring, mooring, beaching and grounding of vessels was determined to have caused harm to bank vegetation, cypress trees and aquatic grasses in and around the spring. These activities will be prohibited within the Springs Protection Zone,” according to a press release from FWC.
WMNF’s Tuesday CaféWMNF’s Tuesday Café airs weekly beginning at 10:06 a.m. ET.
You can listen on 88.5 FM in Tampa Bay, on wmnf.org or on the WMNF Community Radio app.
The post Update on threats to Florida’s freshwater springs appeared first on WMNF.
The Mayor calls it “PURE.” The Tampa City Council calls it “Toilet To Tap.” It is the plan to mix highly treated wastewater with the City’s drinking water by 2032. Environmentalists and neighborhood activists strongly oppose it, saying we don’t know enough to deem it safe or how much it will cost. But, State law says Tampa can’t keep dumping its treated wastewater into Tampa Bay. Recently, the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection declined to give Tampa an exemption from the state statute that requires wastewater be used for “beneficial purposes” and Florida’s DEP found that releasing it in the bay did not comply.
Objections to the project are widespread.Stakeholders, Gary Gibbons, Vice Chair of the Tampa Bay Sierra Club, Phil Compton, President of Tampa’s Friends of the River, and Carroll Ann Bennett, Vice President of THAN, the collective of Tampa’s neighborhood associations, all shared their objections and their recommendations with MidPoint on December 7. The stakeholders have 3 primary objections: they object to the City’s failure to present any evidence that there is a real need for a different plan for the wastewater; they claim that there are no scientific standards yet for determining what are safe levels of “contaminants of concern” which are “new” pollutants and substances for which there are no scientifically acceptable levels in drinking water; and, the City has not shared how the costs of the PURE project would be passed on to water consumers. Until these issues can be resolved, there is an overwhelming objection to moving forward with the PURE project among City residents.
What will become of our wastewater now?The state statute that is forcing Tampa to address its wastewater in a different manner is an objectionable statewide “one size fits all” requirement, according to Gibbons. It does not acknowledge the unique character of the Tampa waterways nor does it recognize that Tampa’s current plan for releasing reclaimed water into Tampa Bay may in fact be a “beneficial use” of its wastewater. The stakeholders are therefore seeking an amendment to the state statute that would recognize the distinct character of the City of Tampa’s water supply that obviates the need for a different wastewater disposition plan, and that would allow the City greater flexibility in planning for the disposition of wastewater going forward. They are asking Tampa residents to lobby the Mayor, and asking the Mayor and the City to lobby the Florida legislature to amend the statute to allow Tampa to either come up with a different plan or have more time to answer the residents’ concerns about the PURE plan before its implementation is mandated.
The City’s plan comes back before City Council in January.
Listen to the entire show here: https://sound.wmnf.org/sound/wmnf_221207_100600_12newsW1_423.MP3
The post PURE or “Toilet to Tap”? What’s Going in Tampa’s Drinking Water? appeared first on WMNF.
The Florida Springs Council will get a hearing to challenge a permit for a Nestlé-linked company to pipe water to a bottling plant.
The post Court allows a hearing on a water permit for a company linked to Nestlé appeared first on WMNF.
Environmentalists & community leaders wanted to work with Tampa on options for reusing wastewater. But now they oppose the mayor's PURE plan.
The post Why have environmentalists and community leaders turned against Tampa’s plan to recycle treated wastewater? appeared first on WMNF.
Some activists in Florida are trying to pass an amendment to the state constitution that would protect the right to clean water.
The post Should Florida have a right to clean water in its constitution? appeared first on WMNF.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection reports a possible tear in the lining of Mosaic’s New Wales gypstack.
The post Possible tear in the lining of Mosaic’s New Wales gypstack appeared first on WMNF.
A U.S. District Judge has put a six-month hold on a lawsuit against the Piney Point waste site. The state is trying to close the site.
The post Six-month hold on a lawsuit against the Piney Point waste site appeared first on WMNF.
This week on MidPoint, Mariella Smith and George Cassidy about Tampa Bay's Water Wars, and the nonprofit Tampa Bay Water.
The post MidPoint: Winning the Water Wars appeared first on WMNF.
April has been declared Water Conservation Month. The Southwest Florida Water Management District gives tips to conserve water.
The post April is water conservation month in Florida – here’s how you can save water appeared first on WMNF.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor is proposing a plan to reuse partially treated wastewater and the total cost could be $500 million.
The post Tampa will discuss water reuse plan that has been called “toilet to tap” appeared first on WMNF.
Today we had the pleasure to speak with 2 guests. Tracy Tippen from Hope Spot. The Hope Spot Festival is celebrating our coastal waters. The Florida Gulf Coast Hope Spot runs from Apalachicola down to 10,000 islands. This location was chosen because of its importance for our local ecosystem. Zach Correa from Lemongraft joined the... Read more »
The post Selling home grown veggies to your community appeared first on WMNF.
Dunedin, Florida, residents are asked to conserve water after a fire damaged the city's water plant.
The post Fire damages Dunedin’s water plant – residents should conserve water appeared first on WMNF.
The Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County has issued a health alert due to the presence of blue-green algal toxins in the lake.
The post Blue-green algae bloom alert for Eagle Lake Park in Largo appeared first on WMNF.
Robin Broad and John Cavanagh are passionate about their cause. The story they tell in The Water Defenders – How Ordinary People Saved A Country From Corporate Greed tells the inspirational story of a community that took on an international mining corporation at seemingly insurmountable odds and won not one but two historic victories. In... Read more »
The post A Blueprint For Global Action appeared first on WMNF.
From low water pressure in south Hillsborough County caused by rapid development to a massive fish kill in Pinellas County waters caused by Red Tide, and the Piney Point disaster in April where a long dormant phosphate plant dumped nearly 200 millions of gallons of nitrogen-rich wastewater into Tampa Bay, it has been a rough year for water in the region.
The post Water issues plague the Tampa Bay region appeared first on WMNF.
The Suwannee River Water Management District Tuesday voted unanimously to approve a permit allowing the Seven Springs Water Company to pump nearly a million gallons of water per day from Ginnie Springs to a nearby Nestlé bottling plant. Tuesday’s vote came after four hours of public comment calling for the permit to be denied.
LISTEN:
The public’s interest was as clear as the water in the springs the companies want to pump from: Do not approve this permit.
‘No other logical conclusion’ Only four of the nearly 50 speakers supported the permit. Everything else was impassioned pleas to stop. Some came from homeowners along the Santa Fe River, which the Springs feed into. Some came from scientists like Gainesville resident Chip Deutsch.
“I see no other logical conclusion than to deny this permit request,” he said.
A study by the Florida Springs Institute gave Ginnie Springs a poor rating. It said the water flow was too low and nitrate levels were too high. In 2015 state managers found the flow to be beneath a level that’s sustainable.
The public interest Then there were the 19,000 emails and petition with 400,000 signatures asking to deny the permit. Under the District’s purview, it can take into account “public interest” in awarding permits. But the District’s attorney, Tom Reeves, said that argument might not have teeth.
“The fact that the legislature used the term ‘public interest’ does not give you any broad brush stroke that you can say, well we find generalized concepts of public interest were mandated under this permit,” he told the District.
Essentially, Reeve’s said the District’s hands were tied.
Shoring up the bottles In March of 2019, Seven Springs applied to renew a permit to pump about 1.2 million gallons of water per day from Ginnie. Seven Springs is the same company that owns the land around Ginnie Springs. They’ve had the permit since 1998 and while they’ve occasionally gone over the daily allotment, the norm is that it’s under.
But Mike Roth of our Santa Fe River said Nestlé is planning on upping its production by 2025 and grabbing the max daily allotments.
“Nestlé now plans to ramp up production to the full amount of the permit. Eventually having the capacity to produce 6,000 plastic bottles full of spring water every minute.”
Seven Springs holds the permit, but sells the water to Nestlé. The District initially denied the permit. But Seven Springs petitioned Florida’s administrative law courts. A judge there ruled in favor of Seven Springs, but reduced the daily allotment to just under a million gallons a day and said Seven Springs can only pump to the plant. Tankering the water could result in disciplinary action and the removal of permits.
The recommendation from the judge was mostly procedural, Reeves said. It didn’t leave much leeway for the District to deny the permit. But it was issued under protest, setting up the option for appeal.
Continuing the fight Some County governments weighed in too. Gilchrist said they go the way of the board. But Alachua strongly opposed.
“We respectfully request you declare a temporary moratorium on issuing consumptive use permits in the basin,” a representative from Alachua said. And direct your staff to initiate a statewide process to reevaluate the permitting criteria.”
Aside from the permitting process limiting decision-making powers, State Rep. Anna Eskamani said there’s also a transparency issue.
“It’s a public good and yet it’s pumped by private companies with very little consequences,” Eskamani said. “And then we pay the damaging cost of water restoration projects and trying to revitalize the Santa Fe River and other waterways. It does not make sense and it is dangerous long-term to operate like this.”
Aside from a $115 permitting fee, Florida gets no money for the water. Legislators like Eskamani want that changed and bills are headed to the State House to do just that.
One solution – make companies pay for the water. At one cent per gallon, this permit would cost about $4 million, but legislators want water priced around 12.5 cents a gallon. A cost that could either give Florida the funds to bolster infrastructure and natural resources or price corporations out of the springs.
Our Santa Fe River, one of the groups leading the fight against pumping Ginnie Springs, plans to continue fighting the permit.
Listen to the 5:30 p.m. WMNF News headlines for 23 February 2021: https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Sean530Tues0223.mp3 Listen to the 4:30 p.m. WMNF News headlines for 23 February 2021: https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Sean430Tues0223.mp3 Listen to the 3:30 p.m. WMNF News headlines for 23 February 2021: https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Sean330Tues0223.mp3 The post Water board unanimously approves permit for Seven Springs/Nestlé to pump more water from Ginnie Springs appeared first on WMNF.
Opponents of the plan to allow a giant corporation to draw more water from Florida’s pristine springs and aquifer suffered a setback last month.
The food giant Nestlé is collaborating with a company called Seven Springs Water to apply for a permit renewal to take nearly a million gallons a day of water from springs connected to the Santa Fe River.
Recently, an administrative law judge ruled in favor of the permit applicants, contradicting staff recommendations from the Suwannee River Water Management District.
To find out the latest and what this means for Florida water, this morning WMNF spoke with Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson, a board member with the group Our Santa Fe River.
Sign protesting Nestlé. Via Our Santa Fe River on Facebook.
“Extracting that amount of water on a continuous basis, all day long, will create some sort of conal situation. A cone of depression of sorts, where water will eventually migrate to that extraction point.
“And then the things that are surrounding that water are going to naturally fill up with some other water that’s flowing underneath our groundwater resources, down through our system. Chances are, it’s going to impact the springs that I just mentioned, the springs that are associated in that vicinity.
“Those are already delicate springs already. They don’t have the discharge that they had even 20 years ago when this permit first got online. Everything’s changing. All of us are using more water.
“To pull it out of an extractive point, directly out of the springs that are associated with the most iconic experiences in the state of Florida, is a travesty beyond words.
“Before, 300,000 (gallons), now we’re talking almost a million. It’s going to have an impact. People downstream from this water grab, already for the past 20 years. Have already talked about their impacts, neighbors and riparian owners, and people that use the water also. And so, we’ll see an impact one way or the other.
“The other impact, of course, will be more plastic on the planet. How much does the planet needs for throwaway plastic bottles?
“And our big push right now, is to write a postcard. We want to flood the Water Management District with postcards. Since they didn’t get the electronic correspondence of the 19,000 comments, we want to make sure that they’re getting postcards all day long.”
Malwitz-Jipson gave out the address she is encouraging people to send their thoughts to the water managers:
Suwanee River Water Management District board members
9225 County Road 49
Live Oak, FL 32060
Listen to the full show here. The springs water segment is the second half of the show.
Meanwhile, the Financial Times is reporting that a Swiss consumer group is attempting to purchase Nestlé’s water business for $4 billion.
Listen to the 5:30 p.m. WMNF News headlines for 3 February 2021: https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Sean530Wed0203long.mp3
Listen to the 4:30 p.m. WMNF News headlines for 3 February 2021: https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Sean430Wed0203.mp3
Listen to the 3:30 p.m. WMNF News headlines for 3 February 2021: https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Sean330Wed0203.mp3
The post Will judge’s ruling allow Nestlé and Seven Springs to bottle nearly a million gallons of water a day from Florida springs? appeared first on WMNF.
The water management district that will decide on whether Nestlé and its partner will get a permit to take a million gallons of water a day from a north Florida spring system will soon have a new board member.
On Tuesday, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Harry Smith to the Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board. The SRWMD board makes decisions on many water issues in North Central Florida, including a permit renewal application by Seven Springs Water Company to withdraw water from springs connected to the Santa Fe River so that Nestlé can bottle the water for sale on supermarket shelves.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, “Smith, of Lake City, is the Vice President of Feed Operations for Central States Enterprises. An avid outdoorsman, his work revolves around businesses that need water to operate and grow. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Florida.”
The governor’s office points out that Smith’s appointment has to be confirmed by the Florida Senate.
Also on Tuesday, Governor DeSantis appointed four other people to water management districts:
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Rob Bradley and Janet Price to the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board.
Rob Bradley
Bradley, of Fleming Island, is an attorney and managing partner with Bradley, Garrison and Komando, P.A. He has served his community as a State Senator for Florida’s 5th District since 2012, the last three years as Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations. As Chairman, he helped secure more than $1.25 billion for Florida’s environment and water resources. He earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications and his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida.
Janet Price
Price, of Fernandina Beach, is a senior manager of environmental affairs with Rayonier Inc., a global land resources company. She has served as chairperson of the Water and Aquatic Biology Committee of the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement and served on the council’s Forestry and Environmental Technical Group. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Alabama and her master’s degree in biology from the University of Alabama.
And
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Kellie Ralston and Nicholas “Nick” Patronis to the Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board.
Kellie Ralston
Ralston, of Tallahassee, is the Southeast Fisheries Policy Director for the American Sportfishing Association. She has served as a fisheries management analyst for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and currently serves on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Marine Fisheries Advisory Committee and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council’s Ad Hoc Red Snapper Private Angler Advisory Panel. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from Florida State University.
Nicholas “Nick” Patronis
Patronis, of Panama City Beach, is an owner of Captain Anderson’s Restaurant and Waterfront Market. He has served his community as a member of the Life Management Center of Northwest Florida Board of Directors, the Florida Restaurant Association, and the National Restaurant Association. Patronis attended Gulf Coast Community College.
Listen to the 5:30 p.m. WMNF News headlines for 8 September 2020:
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sean530Tues0908.mp3
Listen to the 4:30 p.m. WMNF News headlines for 8 September 2020:
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sean430Tues0908.mp3
Listen to the 3:30 p.m. WMNF News headlines for 8 September 2020:
https://wmnf.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sean330Tues0908REVISED.mp3
The post Will new Suwannee River Water Management District board member impact Nestle’s water application? appeared first on WMNF.
The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County announced Wednesday that two of its beaches are under a water quality advisory. Based on water sampling done on Monday (24 August 2020), Robert J. Strickland Beach and Gulf Harbors Beach were issued a water quality advisory “based upon criteria for evaluating the presence of enterococci (intestinal bacteria) as established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).”
From March through October the Departement of Health’s Florida Healthy Beaches program tests water samples every two weeks to monitor coastal beach water.
The next sampling will be 31 August.
These beaches do not have advisories in effect: Brasher Park Beach, Robert K. Rees Park Beach or Anclote River Park Beach.
The full press release is below:
PASCO COUNTY COASTAL BEACH MONITORING RESULTS 08/24/2020 PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County
(DOH-Pasco) has issued a water quality advisory for Robert J. Strickland Beach and Gulf Harbors Beach as a result of a water sampling done on Aug. 24, 2020.
This advisory is based upon criteria for evaluating the presence of enterococci (intestinal bacteria) as established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). There are no advisories in effect at this time for Brasher Park Beach, Robert K. Rees Park Beach or Anclote River Park Beach.
The Department of Health’s Florida Healthy Beaches Program monitors coastal beach water by testing marine water samples every two weeks from March through October in Pasco County. The purpose of this program is to determine whether Florida has significant coastal beach water quality problems.
DOH-Pasco analyzes coastal beach water samples for enterococci, which normally inhabit the intestinal tract of humans and animals. This type of bacteria is considered a potential risk because it may cause human disease, infections or rashes. The presence of enterococci is an indication of fecal pollution, which may come from storm water runoff, pets and wildlife and human sewage.
The EPA threshold for the presence of enterococci is no more than 70 colony-forming units of per 100 milliliters of marine water. The next expected sampling date is Aug. 31, 2020.
If you have any questions, please contact the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County Environmental Health Services division at 727-841-4425 option 3.
For more information on the Florida Healthy Beaches Program, please visit the Florida Department of Health Beach Water Quality webpage at https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.floridahealth.gov%2Fenvironmental-health%2Fbeach-water-quality%2Findex.html&data=02%7C01%7CSean%40wmnf.org%7C874faca857b444f111a208d849bd93de%7Ceff8000820724c42b3fe736c3260d23f%7C0%7C0%7C637340425870322752&sdata=JJaiRk2zvPyxPTEHmMG3LW6dD4siEJfLX5fO7BVY%2F3k%3D&reserved=0.
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