SFAS MEETINGS
SFAS Meeting - 3/18/2010 at Fern Forest Nature Center 7:30pm
Our guest presenter for the March 18th meeting of the South Florida Audubon Society will be Mae K. Silver, Author, Watch Out Ivy: When Ivy Stranahan Went Undercover for the Government. This is a witty fun story that parallels Murder in the Everglades. It is a must read for Audubon members, supporters, advocates, and friends of the Everglades.There will be book readings, discussion, and signing. Books will be available for $10. Proceeds support SF Audubon Society conservation programs.

SFAS Meeting 4/15/10 at Anne Kolb Nature Center at 7:30pm
BIOS Award Night, an annual fundraiser, will feature presentations by the three recipients of awards. More info coming

SFAS Meeting 5/20/10 at Fern Forest Nature Center at 7:30p more info comingComing Events3/24-25 Natural Systems Module by Florida Earth Foundation. see www.southfloridaaudubon.org for details.

3/26-28 Audubon Academy
This educational event for further development of chapter leaders is being held at the Paramount Plaza on the south side of Gainesville. See www.southfloridaaudubon.org for details. For a pre-academy kayaking experience with Sam Cole, Birder/Naturalist, see www.southfloridaaudubon.org for details.

4/22 40th anniversary of Earth Day More info coming

5/2010 Earth Day -- TogetherGreen Event More info coming

Hog Island Adult Ornithology Camps have been scheduled. See details at www.southfloridaaudubon.org for Adults

BIRDING

Bird with South Florida Audubon

3/27 Volunteer Park 4 pm

Birding Adventures with Paddy Cunningham

4/10 Plantation Preserve 4 pm

*Fees apply to these advents. A portion of the fee will be donated to SFAS

*3/20 Everglades National Park and Lucky Hammock: 6:30 AM to 6 PM$ 50.00 admission

*4/24 Fort DeSoto West Coast Adventure or Corkscrew day trip: 5/9 Ladies, Let’s go birding and have tea luncheon: $ 30.00 plus lunch

Birds

Latest State of the Birds
Secretary Salazar has released a new “State of the Birds” report showing that climate change threatens hundreds of species. Climate change threatens to further imperil hundreds of species of migratory birds, already under stress from habitat loss, invasive species and other environmental threats, the new report concludes.

The State of the Birds: 2010 Report on Climate Change, follows a comprehensive report released a year ago showing that that nearly a third of the nation's 800 bird species are endangered, threatened or in significant decline.

“For well over a century, migratory birds have faced stresses such as commercial hunting, loss of forests, the use of DDT and other pesticides, a loss of wetlands and other key habitat, the introduction of invasive species, and other impacts of human development,” Salazar said. “Now they are facing a new threat–climate change–that could dramatically alter their habitat and food supply and push many species towards extinction.”

Revisions to the Migratory Bird Act
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acting Director Rowan Gould has announced revisions to the list of bird species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA). Species appearing on this list are governed under migratory bird hunting and permitting regulations concerning most aspects of possession, transportation, sale, purchase, exportation, and importation of protected species. The list, last updated in 1985, incorporates the latest taxonomic and scientific data for migratory birds. The changes include 186 new additions and 11 subtractions, bringing the total number of species protected under the MBTA to 1007.

“This update to the list of federally protected birds reflects the best available science on bird taxonomy and distribution and will help us improve management of our nation’s migratory birds,” said Gould. “The new list benefits researchers, hunters, conservationists, state agencies, tribal governments, and birdwatchers by extending federal protection to all migratory bird species native to the United States while highlighting advances and changes in bird taxonomy that have accumulated since the list was last published.”

The Service is the primary federal agency responsible for managing migratory birds. Federal migratory bird regulations, including the list, implement the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which in turn implements treaties with Canada, Mexico, Japan and Russia. All species included on the list are considered federally protected, and governed by federal regulations limiting take (from the wild), possession, and other use.

The newly revised list reflects the addition of species based on new evidence of their occurrence in the United States or its territories. The revisions also remove species no longer known to occur within the United States and change some names to conform to accepted usages.

The final rule can be found online at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/.

Climate Peril to Birds Demands Action in Florida:
Statement of Audubon of Florida on the 2010 State of the Birds Report

The 2010 State of the Birds Report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Audubon and other leading conservation organizations shows that climate change will have an increasing impact on birds and their habitat—and the ecological and other benefits they provide to people. It issues an urgent call for sound energy policy that will reduce carbon emissions, and for strategic conservation investments that will help species adapt to a changing climate. If we can help the birds weather this unprecedented threat, we can help ourselves.

In Florida, some of the most threatened birds include coastal species, such as the Red Knot and Royal Tern. The Florida Scrub-jay, our state's only endemic species, as well as the Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Prothonotary Warbler and Roseate Spoonbill, are all at risk from climate-induced habitat changes.

"The report makes it clear that these birds will not survive the human-caused changes to our global climate," said Eric Draper, Executive Director of Audubon of Florida. "Like canaries in a coal mine, the dangers they face warn of dangers to us as well. It's up to us to reduce the threat."

Everglades restoration that achieves ecological benefits, protection of our important beaches and coastal habitats, and putting meaningful renewable energy and energy and water conservation policies into place are all winning strategies that Audubon of Florida is working hard to achieve.

What Florida Audubon is doing complements innovative federal efforts to help species adapt; efforts that come with new investments that will create jobs and protect beautiful and sensitive habitats across America. And we're part of ongoing Audubon efforts to pass ground-breaking climate and energy legislation to control the emissions that cause climate change while there’s still time to make a difference."

As Glenn Olson of the National Audubon Society said at the news conference announcing the findings, "If you love nature and care about the health of our planet, there is no time to lose. This isn't just about birds; it's about our chance to shape our future."

Efforts to establish a breeding program to save the Madagascar Pochard, have received a boost from Defra's Darwin Initiative.
£282,000 over three years from Defra's Darwin Initiative will help to fully establish the breeding program, which was started late last year as an emergency measure following the news that only six females remained in the wild. As well as supporting breeding and rearing the birds, the money will pay to train Malagasy conservationists and develop a recovery plan and identify lakes in the region where the ducks can potentially be reintroduced. Fundraising is now underway to build a conservation-breeding centre for the project in Madagascar.

Last year, an expedition confirmed that the remaining population of only 20 ducks at a single location contained just six females and that none of the young from the previous year had survived. With the species facing such a precarious future, a unique partnership formed to ensure the ducks' survival: Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT), The Peregrine Fund, whose scientist rediscovered the duck, and the Government of Madagascar.

In November, the partnership managed to establish a safety-net population. With minimal disturbance to the adult ducks, the team was able to remove three clutches of eggs from nests and have been able to rear the 23 ducklings that hatched in a temporary facility.
Durrell's Project Leader, Dr Glyn Young, says, "This dramatic mission was a vital first step but now we need to establish a sustainable breeding program and to identify suitable locations to reintroduce ducks in the future. The Darwin Initiative support will allow us to do this."

Rockhopper penguins in serious decline

The Rockhopper penguin is one of 17 species of penguin; listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, the Rockhopper penguin is one of ten species of penguin facing the threat of global extinction.

The Falkland Islands - one of the UK's 14 overseas territories - are home to 5 nesting species of penguin: Rockhopper penguin; Macaroni penguin; Gentoo penguin; King penguin and Magellanic penguin.

Other UK overseas territories with nesting penguins are: South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands; and Tristan da Cunha. The British Antarctic Territory, within the Antarctic continent also has nesting penguins. In all, 8 species of penguin nest on the above territories.
Rockhopper penguin populations are in serious decline worldwide, and the causes were largely unknown. However BirdLife has launched a report which identifies the key threats, and outlines the steps which must be taken to help save rockhopper penguins.

"At last, in this new report we have an international action plan to address the catastrophic declines of rockhopper penguins", said Professor John Croxall - Chairman of BirdLife's Global Seabird Program.

For more see http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/rockhopper-decline.html?utm_campaign=Extinct%20frog%20found%3B%20Whale%20shark%20mutilated%3B%20Eagle%20poisoned%3B%20Ivory%20seizure%2E&utm_content=campbell5017@bellsouth.net&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=VerticalRespons#cr

Wading bird nesting records lofty year
In 2009, the estimated number of wading bird nests in South Florida was nearly 80,000. As the largest nesting effort recorded in the region since the 1940s, this year’s significant increase is more than four times greater than the last breeding season and surpasses the previous record year, 2002, by approximately 11,000 nests.
FLORIDA Panthers

March is Panther Month

Check it out here: http://www.floridapanther.org/index-2.html

Everglades and Water Quality Issues

South Florida Water Management District Board Votes to Keep the River of Grass Acquisition Alive
Audubon applauds the unanimous decision reached today by the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to extend the contract deadline until September 30, 2010 to purchase almost 73,000 acres of land from U.S. Sugar Corporation. Proceedings currently before the Florida Supreme Court will determine the SFWMD's authority to issue Certificate of Participation bonds for the purchase, and today’s decision will allow these proceedings to come to a close.

Your support, letters and participation helped achieve this victory for the Everglades. Numerous Audubon members, staff and Chapter leaders attended the meeting and proclaimed the importance of the River of Grass purchase to achieve successful restoration of the Everglades, protect south Florida's estuaries and heal habitat so important to struggling bird and wildlife populations. This land acquisition opens the way to store, treat, and flow more needed water south—instead of east and west through the estuaries—in a manner that more closely mimics nature.

Tell Congress to protect clean water!
The Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2009 would establish a trust fund dedicated to fixing our clean water infrastructure and supporting other clean water initiatives. Ask your Representative to support this bill. Just click here.

Environmental group hopes to extend deadline for Everglades restoration project
The Rivers Coalition voted unanimously Thursday to urge the South Florida Water Management Board of Governors to extend the closing deadline for the $500 million land purchase from U.S. Sugar Corp. for the district’s River of Grass Everglades restoration project.
On March 11, the board faces a crucial vote on whether to extend the closing to purchase 73,000 acres south of Lake Okeechobee for $536 million. That purchase is the initial phase of what could be a 180,000-acre land acquisition by the district to store, treat and restore water flows south to the Everglades .

The existing contract requires a closing by March 31. The delay allows the Florida Supreme Court to rule on a pending legal challenge to the land deal.

Flow-way to help restore Biscayne Bay, Miami-Dade Coastal Wetlands
The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board recently took another step toward improving freshwater flows into Biscayne Bay and enhancing the bay’s coastal wetlands by approving construction of the Deering Estate Flow-way in Miami-Dade County.

The Deering Estate project is part of a larger master plan to restore Biscayne Bay, known as the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project. This plan is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), which is helping to restore the quantity, quality, timing and distribution of fresh water in the South Florida ecosystem.

“The Deering Estate Flow-way adds a new and exciting dimension to the restoration progress we are now making with our federal partners,” said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Eric Buermann. “This fragile area is relied on by a diverse range of wildlife and also enjoyed by the people who live along the urban coast. The flow-way will improve natural habitat along the bay and enhance recreational opportunities as well.”

When complete, the flow-way will redistribute excess freshwater runoff, directing it away from existing canal discharges and spreading it out as sheetflow prior to discharging into Biscayne Bay . The result will be healthier coastal wetlands and a more natural overland flow of water that will mimic historical conditions. Improved freshwater flow and salinity distribution near the shore will also help re-establish productive nursery habitat for shrimp and shellfish.

The District is also coordinating with the Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation Department to develop an education site on 2 acres of the Deering Estate property, a 400-acre environmental, archeological and historical preserve.

Construction of the Deering Estate Flow-way represents an SFWMD investment of nearly $4.2 million. Completion of the flow-way is scheduled for May 2011.

The Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project will help restore Biscayne Bay and Biscayne National Park . Phase 1 components of the project include construction of the Deering Estate Flow-way, Cutler Wetlands Flow-way and L-31E Culverts.

Environmental group hopes to extend deadline for Everglades restoration project
The Rivers Coalition voted unanimously Thursday to urge the South Florida Water Management Board of Governors to extend the closing deadline for the $500 million land purchase from U.S. Sugar Corp. for the district’s River of Grass Everglades restoration project.

On March 11, the board faces a crucial vote on whether to extend the closing to purchase 73,000 acres south of Lake Okeechobee for $536 million. That purchase is the initial phase of what could be a 180,000-acre land acquisition by the district to store, treat and restore water flows south to the Everglades.

The existing contract requires a closing by March 31. The delay allows the Florida Supreme Court to rule on a pending legal challenge to the land deal. The Coalition voted to send each board member a letter urging them to vote in favor of the project it says is vital to improving and preserving the St. Lucie River and estuary.

Gabe Margasak, spokesman for the SFWMD, said, “We value the input of the Rivers Coalition and we look forward to bringing it to the Governing Board. The board is scheduled to host a strategic planning session at its March public meeting to consider the most prudent course of action.”

Though the project was announced by Florida Gov. Charlie Christ in June 2008, Matthew Morrison, SFWMD planning director, cautioned coalition members not to get too anxious to see dirt beginning to move.

“You’re probably still looking five years down the road,” Morrison said.
The River of Grass concept will involve some form of water storage and conveyance system that is still under study north and south of Lake Okeechobee that will enable water managers to divert water south into the Everglades.

Presently, water is diverted primarily east and west from the lake into either the St. Lucie or Caloosahatchee rivers or their estuaries, which has been wreaking havoc on those sensitive environmental ecosystems.

Additionally the extra storage capacity could “take some of the stress off the lake,” during high-water periods, Morrison said. Current total cost estimates on the project range from $747 million to $11.8 billion, Morrison said. Morrison said the district will begin the next of three rounds of public meetings on the project in March to begin narrowing potential plans for the project, with engineering and design work possibly to begin on some of the more inexpensive aspects of the project this fall. ”However, the entire proposal is currently subject to affordability, bond validation and the availability of financing,” Morrison said.

Coalition member Ed Fielding, said the restoration project was a step in the right direction, but that more needed to be done north of the lake.” If the district doesn’t take responsibility to impose on those dumping volume and pollution into the lake from the north, you’re just wasting our money,” Fielding said.

Everyone wants clear water
A veteran Florida lawmaker has an idea that may help the state in a water quality dispute with the EPA. However, James Call reports farmers and septic tank owners may not like it.

The Select Committee on Inland Waters held six public hearings across the state to document local government and residents' concerns about fresh water. The committee's findings suggest that Florida may spend much of the 21st century correcting the mistakes made transforming it from a swampy backwater into a mega-state. Pepper Uchino, a senate staffer, explained to the committee why all those canals criss crossing South Florida are a problem

"There is a lot of water each day lost to tide. In fact, 1.7-billion gallons of water each day are lost to tide through canals and what not, and those are from drainage projects in the early 40's and 50's that were meant to do exactly what they do, and that is drain Florida of wetlands and water to make it available for development."

That's about the amount of water that nine-million people use on a daily basis. The state's population is expected to double in fifty years, and experts say Florida will struggle to provide the amount of potable water needed by the 38-million people expected to be living here at mid-century. The committee developed thirteen recommendations to conserve, reclaim and protect fresh water.

Chairman Lee Constantine called each of the recommendations a bold initiative. He says the 13-point action plan is more comprehensive than anything proposed by any other Legislature.

"I think the very exciting part about that is these are things that can be done within the very difficult times we have with very little money from either the state coffers or the individuals or the city or county."

See Gainesville Sun article http://www.gainesville.com/article/20100312/ARTICLES/3121004/1002/NEWS0120100

Rulings Restrict Clean Water Act, Foiling E.P.A.
Thousands of the nation’s largest water polluters are outside the Clean Water Act’s reach because the Supreme Court has left uncertain which waterways are protected by that law, according to interviews with regulators.

As a result, some businesses are declaring that the law no longer applies to them. And pollution rates are rising. Companies that have spilled oil, carcinogens and dangerous bacteria into lakes, rivers and other waters are not being prosecuted, according to Environmental Protection Agency regulators working on those cases, who estimate that more than 1,500 major pollution investigations have been discontinued or shelved in the last four years.

The Clean Water Act was intended to end dangerous water pollution by regulating every major polluter. But today, regulators may be unable to prosecute as many as half of the nation’s largest known polluters because officials lack jurisdiction or because proving jurisdiction would be overwhelmingly difficult or time consuming, according to midlevel officials.

“We are, in essence, shutting down our Clean Water programs in some states,” said Douglas F. Mundrick, an E.P.A. lawyer in Atlanta. “This is a huge step backward. When companies figure out the cops can’t operate, they start remembering how much cheaper it is to just dump stuff in a nearby creek.”

Phosphate's mining of water scars region
Recent sinkholes have generated concerns about the costly repairs and dangerous conditions that are popping all over the place, with suspicions narrowing to the excessive use of water by strawberry farmers. They claim their business would go down the drain if water restrictions were imposed on their tap to the aquifer, which has diminished by more than 50 feet, to coat berries for protection against a damaging hard freeze.

Farmers oppose any suggestion that solely places the blame on them but do understand the need to protect Central Florida's water supply. They feel it's just a few very cold nights a year that such concerns are forced to take second seat to securing their crop.

Farmers in the area are operating in violation of environmental regulations because fines for doing so equate to a fraction of the cost saved when not staying within those guidelines. This is externalizing a portion of the operational cost to the public.

In defense of strawberry farmers, almost all crops grown in the Tampa Bay region are farmed in the same manner - with lots of water. But there is another industry with a larger impact than that of farming on Central Florida's struggling environment - one that uses as much water, is destructive and externalizes huge expenses. This is phosphate mining.
Phosphate mining is seen by many as Florida's cancer. It would only take one fly-over of Central Florida to see what they mean: 100,000 acres of barren, scorched earth.

This type of mining uses an equal amount of water as strawberries. The water, after use, is held in gigantic gypsum stacks 40 feet deep. The tens of billions of gallons are held back by a 20-foot levee filled to the brim. The water stored in these 50-acre ponds is so toxic it would kill all fish and vegetation in its path, as evidenced by past levee breaches. And each time it happened, the fines were a fraction of the public's cost.

The phosphate mining industry has enjoyed externalizing the cost of the hazards that have plagued their industry for many years. But it's the externalizing of their operational costs that has kept their hand deep in the public's pocket.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has been the facilitator, permitting Mosaic Mining 99 million gallons a day of Central Florida aquifer water. This surpasses what the city of Tampa is permitted to pump from the same wellfield.

The citizens in the surrounding counties were persuaded to spend $600 million on a water desalinization plant that only a few weeks ago began producing the 25 million gallons a day for which it was designed. The sole purpose of investing in this water plant was to relieve the over-pumped aquifer.

Mosaic pumps for free. Stuck in its stacks, the contaminated water becomes a very hazardous accident waiting to happen.

Strawberry farmers shouldn't bear all the blame. Most should be directed to the phosphate miners, county commissioners and the water management district.

Improving water quality
The existing 45,000 acres of effective Stormwater Treatment Areas treated about 1.1 million acre-feet of runoff water in Water Year 2009. Since 1994, constructed wetlands and agricultural Best Management Practices have together prevented more than 3,200 metric tons of phosphorus from entering the Everglades Protection Area. Construction on an additional 12,000 acres of valuable treatment marshes is under way.

Lake Okeechobee continues rebound
Lake Okeechobee continues to show signs of recovery from the enduring impacts of the 2004–2005 hurricanes, including lower nearshore turbidity, more submerged aquatic vegetation beds and no severe algal blooms.

Letter: Florida 's water resources should benefit majority, not select (rich) few
TC Palm
Posted March 4, 2010

Who among us doesn’t want healthy food, clean air or clean water? Well, if you went to a recent meeting of the South Florida Water Management District, you would have heard cattle ranchers, sugar growers and utility providers claim they would go broke if they had to adhere to the new Environmental Protection Agency regulations on nitrogen and phosphorus. You would have heard one individual state that the Caloosahatchee River shouldn’t get any water at all when it was needed during dry times for farming.

It’s OK for them to get rich putting those two nutrients in the water for years and it’s OK for everyone else who uses the water for a livelihood to go broke, just not them.
There’s a special group of people called the Rivers Coalition we all need to thank — a group that realized years ago we can no longer afford to do things the old way, no longer accept the select few being allowed to pollute while the overwhelming majority shoulder the “shared adversity” disproportionately. This group of visionaries dreamed the impossible and started promoting a “river of grass,” which would move water south from Lake Okeechobee and away from our estuary into the Everglades.

EPA agrees to hear more comments on new water regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency today agreed to a extend the public comment period on proposed new water rules that have been blasted by Florida politicians. The decision came after members of the congressional delegation met with EPA chief Lisa Jackson.

Jackson told the lawmakers she would extend the comment period for the proposed rules by 30 days, adding three more public hearings, according to U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow. But EPA officials said the rules would still go into effect on the same day.
“I hope this means the EPA will do a better job of listening to us," said Putnam, a candidate for state agriculture commissioner. "Florida is the only state in the nation facing these draconian rules, rules that were established in a judge’s chambers, not in a legislative body.”

Sugar Farmers Achieve another Successful Year Cleaning Water
The Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) receives praise for its proven success in cleaning water south of Lake Okeechobee by two top state environmental agencies in their annual restoration report.

The 2010 South Florida Environmental Report, published by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District, reveals the EAA achieved a 68 percent reduction in phosphorus loads in 2009 and an overall 54 percent long-term reduction in phosphorus loading during its 14th straight year of meeting water quality goals. The target for reductions is 25 percent.

The farming area's Best Management Practices (BMP) coupled with the 45,000 acres of Stormwater Treatment Areas (STA), which are constructed on former farmland, have prevented more than 3,200 metric tons of phosphorus from entering the Everglades Protection Area (EPA). Farmers south of Lake Okeechobee have contributed nearly $200 million in special agricultural property taxes to build the STAs.

The success is even more impressive due to the circumstances that occurred in Water Year 2009. According to the Environmental Report, while the average phosphorus concentration decreased from 9.5 to 8.1 parts per billion in Everglades National Park, the phosphorus load into the EPA was 77 percent higher than the previous year, due to Tropical Storm Fay and other subsequent rains that occurred during severe drought.

Wildlife and Habitat

Marco beach tilling to protect loggerhead sea turtles
The Marco Island beach, between beach monuments R-144 and R-147, the beach area from the Hilton Beach Resort south to Cape Marco, is schedule for beach tilling on March 24 by the Collier County Coastal Zone Management Department.

Tilling is an activity that uses long-tined equipment pulled behind a tractor to turn over the top layer of the beach sand up to the required maximum depth of 30 inches. The equipment used this year is slower moving, more efficient and less disruptive. Tilling is done 10 feet seaward of the dune vegetation line to 10 feet landward from the high tide line.

This is done to lessen compaction of the sand for the maintenance and conservation of loggerhead sea turtle habitat and is a provision of the Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) that was issued for the 2007 beach renourishment in this area of the beach…

Loggerheads get protection In response to two scientific petitions by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, yesterday the Obama administration proposed to upgrade the Endangered Species Act protection for U.S. loggerhead sea turtles from "threatened" to "endangered."

Agencies also proposed to protect loggerheads around the globe as nine separate populations, each with its own distinct status. In the North Pacific, loggerheads have already declined by at least 80 percent, while Florida beaches -- which host the largest nesting population of loggerheads in the Northwest Atlantic -- have seen a decline in nesting of more than 40 percent in the past decade.

"The proposed rule marks a turning point in our ability to protect loggerhead sea turtles," said Center attorney Andrea Treece. "By recognizing and preventing impacts to regional populations and their habitats, we'll have a much better chance of putting these magnificent, prehistoric animals on a path to recovery instead of extinction."

FWC seeks comments on Miami blue butterfly draft management plan
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has completed a draft revision of the Miami blue butterfly management plan and requests public comment.

The FWC began updating the management plan in December as a result of new information received over the past few years. "This means the management of the Miami blue must be revamped to address the best possible conservation measures for its survival," said David Cook, the FWC biologist who heads up the Miami Blue Management Plan team. "More importantly, we want the Miami blue to thrive."

Once, this thumbnail-sized butterfly fluttered as far north as Hillsborough County on the Gulf Coast and Volusia County on the Atlantic Coast. Suspected culprits, such as habitat degradation, fragmentation and loss, and pesticide and herbicide spraying, relegated the Miami blue to the Keys.

View the plan http://myfwc.com/WILDLIFEHABITATS/imperiledSpp_petitions_butterfly.htm

Send comments to the Miami Blue Management Plan Revision, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian St., Mail Station 2A, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600, or e-mail MBB@MyFWC.com.

Sage Grouse Deemed Endangered, but Given No Help
In response to a petition and lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity and partners, last Friday the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that a seriously imperiled sage grouse population in California and Nevada warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act. But, instead of granting that protection, the Service put the bird on the "candidate" list to await safeguards indefinitely.

The Mono Basin area greater sage grouse -- an icon of the West known for the males’ elaborate strutting, tail-fanning, and sac-inflating mating displays -- is in danger of dying out due to grazing, development, road construction, off-road vehicles, and other threats. "Delaying protection for the Mono Basin sage grouse is clearly illegal and irresponsible," said the Center's Rob Mrowka.

Read more:http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/center/articles/2010/san-francisco-chronicle-03-06-2010.html

Lead Poisoning Kills Ravens, Eagles
A new study in Wyoming proves that reducing the number of toxic lead bullets used by hunters lowered the lead levels of local ravens -- but unfortunately didn't affect the lead levels in eagles. Since the start of a voluntary nonlead-bullet program in the state last fall, lead-bullet use among Wyoming hunters has dropped by 24 percent, corresponding nicely with a 28-percent decrease in the amount of lead found in the bloodstreams of ravens, which scavenge hunter-shot carcasses. But eagles, which also scavenge but are extra-sensitive to lead, apparently received no benefit from the small decrease in lead-bullet use. That means eagles need an environment totally free from lead contamination. Said a spokesperson on the study, "It's kind of a no-brainer."

Severely endangered California condors are also extra-sensitive to lead poisoning from lead bullets -- in fact, it's the leading cause of condor death. So after a petition and lawsuit by the Center for Biological Diversity and allies, California mandated the use of nonlead ammunition throughout the bird's state range. The Center is now pushing hard for nonlead requirements across the country for the sake of condors, eagles, and all other species (including humans).

Let’s put the cold winter in perspective, please
Nine days of unseasonably cold weather in January hit us Floridians hard; that’s for sure. But the most vulnerable ended up being the wildlife, particularly those that live in or near salt water.
Manatees, sea turtles and saltwater fish all showed us their vulnerability to changing temperatures, and without help, many of those impacted would not have survived. More than 4,500 sea turtles were rescued, with an 80-percent survival rate. At last count nearly 300 manatee carcasses had been recovered. Cold-stressed manatees are still being rescued.

“It was an unprecedented year; I’ve never seen anything like it,” said Dr. Robbin Trindell, a 13-year veteran with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) sea turtle program. “We loaded a large van with sea turtles rescued from the Panhandle. I thought they were all dead, but soon after they were removed from the cold temperatures, they began moving around.”

Trindell, who says she was only one small part of the effort, credits the survival rate of these rescued sea turtles to tremendous efforts by many agencies and volunteers who gave up sleep during the many days it took to pull off this gargantuan job.

EPA agrees to hear more comments on new water regulations
The Environmental Protection Agency today agreed to extend the public comment period on proposed new water rules that have been blasted by Florida politicians. The decision came after members of the congressional delegation met with EPA chief Lisa Jackson.

Jackson told the lawmakers she would extend the comment period for the proposed rules by 30 days, adding three more public hearings, according to U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Bartow. But EPA officials said the rules would still go into effect on the same day.

“I hope this means the EPA will do a better job of listening to us," said Putnam, a candidate for state agriculture commissioner. "Florida is the only state in the nation facing these draconian rules, rules that were established in a judge’s chambers, not in a legislative body.”

South Florida Environmental Report Highlights Restoration Progress, State of the Ecosystem
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) released the 2010 South Florida Environmental Report on Monday detailing a year of restoration, scientific and engineering successes in the Kissimmee Basin, Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades and South Florida coastal areas. The 2010 report marks the 12th year of unified, streamlined environmental reporting by the two agencies.

“Each year, the state of Florida and the District work to support and strengthen the commitment to sound stewardship of the environment on behalf of more than 7.5 million residents. This commitment includes restoring ecosystems such as America’s Everglades throughout 16 counties,” said SFWMD Governing Board Chairman Eric Buermann. “This year’s significant accomplishments are assembled in the report to provide citizens with a comprehensive look inside South Florida’s unique environment.”

"Protecting and restoring South Florida’s distinct ecosystems help preserve our way of life here in the Sunshine State," said FDEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. "This year’s myriad of accomplishments demonstrates our steadfast restoration commitment, and we will work to continue the momentum with an eye on the future."

The 2010 South Florida Environmental Report is available online at www.sfwmd.gov/sfer.

Offshore & Ocean

New wrinkle to beach replenishment
During the last 12 years, nearly $500 million was spent restoring Florida beaches, amounting to almost $1,000 for each of the 500,000 jobs that renourishment advocates say are tied to the state's beach-tourism industry.

Those jobs could be at risk, city, county and tourism officials claim, if the U.S. Supreme Court sides with six Panhandle landowners who are suing over a 2006 renourishment that added 75 feet of state-owned sand in front of their beaches. The project turned their oceanfront properties into ocean-view properties and amounted to an unconstitutional "taking," allege the landowners, who say they should have been compensated for their loss of property rights.

The high court is expected to decide by June on the case -- Stop the Beach Renourishment Inc. v. Florida Department of Environmental Protection. It pits worries about the state's reeling economy against the concerns of property rights advocates, who warn of the dangers of an arrogant government trampling on homeowners.

If the landowners prevail, local government and tourism officials say it will make future beach renourishment projects almost impossible, both financially and politically. http://sealitsoc.blogspot.com/2010/03/court-case-could-add-wrinkle-to-beach.html

March is Seagrass Awareness month
FDEP helps protect natural resources like seagrasses which are an invaluable component of Florida’s coastal waters and are considered to be one of the most productive ecosystems in the world. The flowering underwater grasses are found in estuaries, lagoons and shallow, open shelves along Florida’s coastline.

“Seagrass habitat provides a variety of functions that contribute to a healthy and viable marine ecosystem,” said DEP Secretary. “These valuable underwater grasses are one of the many natural resources that Floridians and visitors can work together to protect and preserve now and for future generations.”

Florida is home to seven species of seagrasses. Recreational divers, snorkelers and fishing enthusiasts from around the world visit Florida’s coastal areas to experience the state’s world-class marine resources. A single acre of seagrass may support as many as 40,000 fish and more than 70 percent of Florida’s recreational and commercial fisheries depend on these underwater gardens for part of their lifespan. Healthy seagrasses protect young fish and shellfish, coral reefs and other marine wildlife, including sea turtles, manatees and wading birds and contribute to Florida’s multimillion-dollar recreational and commercial fishing industry.

A massive iceberg, measuring about 50 miles by 25 miles, broke off from the Mertz glacier after being rammed by another giant iceberg known as B-9B.
An enormous iceberg smashed into a peninsula of ice in Antarctica, causing the protruding ice shelf to break off and become a massive iceberg the size of Luxembourg. The two icebergs are now drifting close together about 100 miles north of Antarctica, creating a fence that is keeping heavy, ultra-cold water from circulating. This blockage has prompted concern that the event could alter the salinity of the surrounding ocean, with damaging effects on marine life and global ocean currents.

http://news.discovery.com/earth/icebergs-antartica-collision-glaciers.html

Bluefin tuna is being fished into extinction and scientists insist that a ban is necessary to help numbers recover.

The European Commission has backed a ban on the international trade of bluefin tuna and is looking for support from its member states. Key countries like Italy and France have signed on. However, Japan will not join in any agreement to ban international trade in Atlantic bluefin tuna because the species "isn't that endangered." This news isn't surprising, considering the fact that Japan consumes about 80% of the world's supply of bluefin tuna and their fisherman are making large profits from its sale.

A new study in the Atlantic Ocean found that there was a plastic density of 518,000 pieces of debris per square mile, comparable to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
The debris island in the North Pacific Gyre is approximately twice the size of Texas. Not to be outdone by the Pacific Ocean, researchers have found a high concentration of plastic debris is floating in the Atlantic Ocean north of the Caribbean. The findings are based on 22 years of samples collected by undergraduates at the Sea Education Association. These students conducted 6,100 tows in the Caribbean and North Atlantic, resulting in the most extensive record of plastic marine debris in any ocean. More than half of these expeditions revealed floating pieces of plastic on the water's surface. In fact, over 64,000 pieces of plastic were gathered, generally no larger than 1 cm. across.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8534052.stm

New threat to coral
Environmentalists predict that certain coral species could be wiped out by midcentury if the government does not take steps to protect them.

The Obama administration has begun a review to determine if dozens of coral species off Florida, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Pacific should be listed as "threatened" or "endangered" due to rising ocean temperatures, pollution and increasing acidic water. Protection under the Endangered Species Act would allow more coral reef preservation, as activities ranging from fishing, dumping, dredging and offshore oil development would be subject to stricter regulations. All of the 82 species under consideration have seen population declines of at least 30% over the last 30 years. Currently, there are only two Atlantic coral species listed as "threatened." A final decision by officials is expected next year.
http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/02/11/11greenwire-warming-water-spurs-us-to-consider-esa-protect-41812.html

Backers of military in Florida oppose extensive drilling in Eastern Gulf
Military backers told a House panel in no uncertain terms Friday that any talk of oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico better not hamper military operations in the region.
Lawmakers would be ill-advised to do anything that would jeopardize that government-funded golden goose, which the University of West Florida estimates pumps $60 billion and more than 700,000 jobs into the state, backers told members of the House Select Policy Committee on Strategic and Economic Planning.

"That makes military spending as critical as tourism, said Leon Walters, a member of Northwest Florida Defense Coalition, which opposes extensive drilling in the Eastern Gulf. Walters has been in front of the panel before but reminded members that the region is home to myriad firing ranges used by Air Force and Naval aircraft and vessels for a host of training exercises from mine sweeping to air-to-air combat.

Rep. Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park and chairman of the select committee, has taken extensive testimony on drilling in preparation for expected legislation opening up state waters to oil and gas exploration.

Cold spell takes toll on Keys coral
January's big chill led to widespread death of corals in many near shore and mid-channel reefs from Biscayne Bay to Summerland Key, but most of the popular offshore diving and fishing reefs in the Florida Keys were spared.

A survey conducted at 78 sites throughout the Florida Reef tract from Martin County to the Keys also found that corals fared well north of Miami and in the Lower Keys west to the Dry Tortugas.

Analysis of the data collected by 31 scientists from 13 organizations has not been completed to determine the amount of coral damage throughout the island chain. But James Byrne of The Nature Conservancy said it is more severe than the die-off from South Florida's last cold-water event in 1977 that killed hundreds of acres of staghorn and elkhorn coral.

Miscellaneous

Speech by Secretary Salazar
[Department of] Interior’s 2011 budget reflects an aggressive agenda in the context of challenging fiscal times. The 2011 Interior budget request for current appropriations is $12.2 billion, $38.7 million or 0.3 percent below the level enacted by Congress for 2010. Permanent funding that becomes available as a result of existing legislation without further action by the Congress will provide an additional $5.8 billion, for budget authority totaling $18.0 billion for Interior in 2011.

Within this amount, the budget proposes investments for high priority goals and initiatives. With the 2011 budget, the Department will:

* Implement a comprehensive New Energy Frontier strategy that creates jobs, reduces the Nation’s dependence on foreign oil, and reduces environmental impacts. The budget requests an increase of $27.4 million for renewable and conventional energy programs.
* Confront the realities of climate change by launching an integrated strategy for Climate Change Adaptation. An increase of $35.4 million is requested to implement the Department’s integrated program.
* Develop a 21st Century conservation agenda that protects Treasured Landscapes. The 2011 budget includes increases of $106.0 million for Land and Water Conservation Fund programs and $71.4 million for investments in major ecosystem restoration projects in the Chesapeake Bay, California’s Bay Delta, the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi, and Everglades.
* Tackle the water challenges facing the Country with a new strategy to Sustain and Manage America’s Resources for Tomorrow. The Department’s WaterSMART sustainability agenda includes increases of $36.4 million.
* Engage America’s Youth in Natural Resources. The budget increases funding for youth programs by $9.3 million.
* Honor trust responsibilities and Empowering Tribal Nations. The budget includes targeted increases for contract support and other tribal priorities.

These increases are possible within a level budget as the Department is proposing $750 million in terminations, reductions, and management efficiencies and absorption of $108.7 million in fixed costs.
To read the entire speech, http://www.doi.gov/news/speeches/2010_03_03_speechA.cfm


Dr. Wayburn Dies at 103
President Clinton said of him, "He has saved more of our wilderness than any person alive." That was in 1999 when Dr. Edgar Wayburn was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Dr. Wayburn, a five-term president of the Sierra Club, died Sunday night at the age of 103.

Dr. Wayburn led charges to preserve the wilderness of Alaska by creating ten new national parks there, effectively doubling the total size of the park system. In California, he helped found and expand Redwood National Park and convinced Nixon's Interior secretary to testify in support of his plan for a 200,000-acre Golden Gate National Recreation Area -- more acres than even the Park Service wanted to protect.

Tallahassee man conquers Florida’s Saltwater Paddling trail
Charles Ingle, 25, of Tallahassee became the fourth person to complete the entire 1,515-mile Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail (CT) last month. The fact that his venture took him a total of 63 days to paddle, averaging 24 miles per day, gave him the fastest time among the short list of paddlers who previously completed the course in 2009.

Florida's largest landowners are planning to capitalize by changing the way freight moves around the state.
When state lawmakers met in Tallahassee in December for a special session on rail, the headlines were all about passenger trains:

The law that emerged from the session cinched the SunRail commuter system for central Florida, upped funding for south Florida’s Tri-Rail system, and set the stage for a long-coveted high-speed passenger train between Tampa and Orlando. A month later, when
President Barack Obama came to Florida to award the initial $1.25 billion for the Tampa-Orlando link, the news again was about moving people.

But passenger trains are just part of the transportation story in Florida. Changes in the way freight moves around the peninsula could be even more significant for Florida’s future…..more http://www.eco-voice.org/node/2856

Award: An Everglades Providence by Jack E. Davis
A University of Florida professor is being honored for his biography of Everglades advocate Marjory Stoneman Douglas. The Florida Book Awards announced Friday that UF history professor Jack E. Davis is a gold medal winner in the Florida nonfiction category for his book, "An Everglades Providence”. The book is the first comprehensive biography of Douglas, an environmental advocate and author of the book ”The Everglades: River of Grass”…

Florida Forever
Governor Charlie Crist has included in his budget a $4.8 million dollar appropriation for Florida Forever. This will lead to $50 million in bonds to allow the acquisition of sensitive natural lands through the Florida Forever program. 1000 Friends applauds Gov. Crist for his leadership on this issue. I personally join 1000 Friends and its partner Florida Forever Coalition members in support of this budget item.

Bronson knocks Florida Forever after Cabinet purchase
The governor and Cabinet approved the purchase of a 506-acre addition to Payne’s Prairie State Preserve State Park near Gainesville and a new Florida Forever conservation land-buying list. Click on the heading for complete details.

Nature Canada has worked for over 15 years to establish Canada's next national park in the Mealy Mountains of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Mealy Mountains rise dramatically from the shores of Lake Melville in south-eastern Labrador. Reaching heights of more than one kilometer, they are an island of arctic tundra surrounded by boreal forests and coastal seascapes.

Several types of ecosystems blend in this mosaic of northern wilderness. The majestic Mealy Mountains region is characterized by wild lakes and rivers, glacier-worn mountains, subalpine plateaus, bogs and fens, marine coasts, salt-swept islands, sand spits, coastal plains and boreal forests. The region is home to some of Labrador's most pristine wetlands and Atlantic salmon habitat, and one of North America's finest wild rivers - the Eagle River - runs through them.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/mealy-mountains.html?utm_campaign=Starlings%20mystery%3B%20Kenya%20flood%3B%20Frogs%20in%20peril%3B%20Lonesome%20George%2E&utm_content=campbell5017@bellsouth.net&utm_medium=Email&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_term=Hug#cr
PRESCRIBED FIRE HELPS PROTECT NATURAL AREAS AND SAFETY OF RESIDENTS, BRONSON SAYS
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson is promoting the awareness of prescribed fire's vital role in maintaining the health of Florida's forests and other natural areas, as well as protecting the safety of the state's residents and visitors. The Florida Cabinet in 2008 designated the first week in March as "Prescribed Fire Awareness Week." "Prescribed fire is a safe way to apply a natural process, ensure ecosystem health and reduce wildfire risk," Bronson said. "Many of our plant and animal communities are dependent on a regular occurrence of fire for a healthy existence.

Prescribed fire provides better forage for wildlife and livestock, returns nutrients to the soil, helps to control certain plant diseases, and reduces hazardous fuel buildups…

Endangered Species Act rider on hold
The Endangered Species Coalition members and activists helped to stop an amendment in Congress that would have undermined the Endangered Species Act protections to endangered fish.

The Senate passed the Jobs Bill last week without an amendment that would have undermined scientific protections for the Sacramento River salmon runs. In addition, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) put the rider "on hold" after the Department of Interior released water allocation numbers that included good allocations for California's Central Valley. We appreciate the work of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Senator Feinstein, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Representatives Miller, Thompson, Napolitano and many others for working to find a resolution to this issue that did not undermine our nation's environmental laws.

Military Plans Threaten People, Beauty of Guam
Last month, the Center for Biological Diversity submitted comments to the Navy on plans to more than double the military presence on the island of Guam -- threatening imperiled species and islanders' well-being at the same time. The military buildup would send 24,000 military personnel to the island by 2020, increasing Guam's population by 14 percent in the long term and by 45 percent during the peak of the buildup. Plans include a proposal for dredging Guam's most popular diving destination that would devastate coral reefs, the largest mangrove forest under U.S. jurisdiction, and imperiled species like the scalloped hammerhead shark. Making matters worse, this buildup is in addition to the U.S. military's plan to construct a massive military air base off Okinawa, Japan -- ruining some of the last habitat for the highly endangered Okinawa dugong, cousin to the manatee. The Center has been fighting to protect the dugong since 2003.

Said Center Conservation Director Peter Galvin: "The military's so-called 'transformation in the Pacific' will result in massive environmental destruction in Guam and increase environmental destruction in Okinawa. Destroying the environmental and social well-being of an area, even in the name of 'national or global security,' is itself like actively waging warfare against nature and human communities. . . . The U.S. Military Transformation in the Pacific Program will not solve our community-relations problem in Okinawa and will just exacerbate existing ones in Guam, all the while destroying critical environmental areas in both places."

Read more:http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/center/articles/2010/los-angeles-times-02-24-2010.htmland take action now http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=2464and http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/2167/t/5243/p/dia/action/public/index.sjs?action_KEY=1798
Extinct Australian frog found alive after 30 years
March 2010. An Australian species of frog that was believed to have gone extinct 30 years ago has been discovered in the Southern Tablelands on New South Wales. The Yellow-spotted Bell Frog (Litoria castanea) was once abundant until a population crash in the 70s saw them disappear.

Luke Pearce, a local fisheries conservation officer saw the frog while surveying a stream for endangered fish. He then returned with Dr David Hunter, a herpetologist, to find a thriving population. Dr Hunter confirmed the Bell Frog discovery and asserts its significance; particularly given 2010 is the United Nation's International Year of Biodiversity.

"The global decline of frogs means this discovery will attain international interest," Dr Hunter said.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce Endorses Florida Forever!
Yes, Florida business joins the cause! Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, today announced his organization's support for continued funding of the Florida Forever program. "The Florida Chamber believes the Florida Forever program makes an important contribution to the long-term economic well-being of our state and preservation of the quality of life of our next generation," said Wilson. Click here to read the rest of the article! http://supportfloridaforever.org/?p=445

DEP Makes Arrest for Violation of Florida Litter Law
A law enforcement agent with DEP recently arrested Manuel Estrada, 34, employee of A-1 Gibson Septic Tank Service, for improperly disposing more than 150 gallons of raw sewage and violating the Florida Litter Law, a third degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine up to $5,000.

Invasive Species

Tropical soda apples just can’t beat the beetles.
In an effort to control tropical soda apples, an invasive plant from South America that threatens to take over pasture land in Central and South Florida , in 2003 agriculture officials began releasing small beetles known to feed exclusively on the plants. More than 50,000 beetles (gratiana boliviana) have been released along the Treasure Coast and in Okeechobee County .

A new study by the University of Florida has found a 91 percent decrease in tropical soda apple density when the beetles are used as a biological control agent.

“Basically, the beetles are doing a great job,” said Ken Gioeli, natural resources agent for the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service in Fort Pierce . “That said, (tropical soda apples) are still going to be around; the beetles are just another weapon in the war on invasive plants.”

Tropical soda apple was unintentionally introduced into Florida in the 1980s and is now found in pasture and conservation areas throughout the state. Pastures invaded by the plant are less productive, which means lost revenue for ranchers; and infected wildlife areas suffer a reduction in plant and animal species.

Ban proposed on dangerous reptiles
Florida lawmakers ratcheted up the war on exotic reptiles Tuesday with a proposal to ban ownership of the animals outright. For two years, Florida has required owners to license eight reptile species as concern has grown over dumped snakes proliferating in the wild. Also, last year, a Sumter County 2-year-old was killed by a family pet, a Burmese python.

Now, Rep. Trudi Williams, a Fort Myers Republican, has a bill, HB 709, to ban owning, importing, selling or breeding reptiles designated by the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Current license holders would be allowed to keep the animals.

Concerns about the details of the proposal — chiefly about who would be grandfathered in and how to address people who move to Florida with the snakes — were raised at the House Policy Council meeting Tuesday before it was approved. The bill has two more committee stops before the full House could vote. Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, a Tallahassee Democrat, is a co-sponsor. A similar bill is filed in the Senate.

Burmese Pythons and Conservation Lands
The week of March 5, 2010, the House Policy Council heard and unanimously passed HB 709 by Rep. Trudi Williams (R-Ft. Myers), proposing to prohibit ownership of six large constrictor species including Burmese Pythons. Audubon and other conservation groups spoke in favor of the measure, recognizing that eradicating exotic species once they are established in our conservation lands is always more expensive and less effective than meaningful source control.
Global Warming & Climate Change

DEP holding back on cap-and-trade -- for now
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection won't ask the Legislature to approve a proposed carbon cap-and-trade rule in the legislative session that began yesterday, according to DEP Secretary Michael Sole.

Gov. Charlie Crist in 2007 directed DEP to develop a carbon emissions trading rule for electric utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that scientists say contribute to climate change. HB 7135 in 2008 said DEP must seek approval by the Legislature after Jan. 1, 2010 before adopting the rule.

Sole said the department made a decision in the fall not to seek approval in the 2010 session. He said the department has been watching the progression of federal cap-and-trade legislation and that it could not meet a timeline that included approval by the Florida Energy and Climate Commission.

Energy
The House Energy Committee held a hearing to get input on a vision for a new energy policy for Florida. Audubon has worked with the Committee to frame policies that would make renewable energy a major part of electric power production in Florida. The key we have said is to shift to a longer term view of affordability and reliability. Fuel costs and fluctuation in world demand for and control of fossil fuels make renewable energy a more affordable option for the future.

Audubon is still pushing for a Renewable Portfolio Standard requiring that 20 percent of electric supplies come from renewable sources. However, many legislators are shying away from any mandatory requirement that utilities use rates to underwrite renewable energy. HB 1471 by Rep Trudi Williams will provide for up to700 megawatts of solar power with full cost recovery by investor owned utilities. Audubon supports this legislation as filed along with our call for an RPS and broader renewable policy.