0307

Winter 2001 - V.16 N.4

NEWS AROUND THE LAGOON

Ban on Gill Nets Associated with Mullet Population Rebound

Indian River Lagoon South Feasibility Study Released

Ft. Pierce Works on Port Master Plan

Florida Slow to React to Toxic Algae

Legal Challenge to Manatee Zones

Buildings in Conflict with Comprehensive Plan to be Demolished

Army Corps Rollback Wetlands Mitigation Requirements

Central Florida To Run Out of Water in Five Years

Global Warming Threaten Estuaries

Boaters Suggest a Solution to Manatee Impacts

Everglades Restoration Office Closed

Conservation Lands Funded By FCT

Martin County Comp Plan Draws Fire From State

Army Corps Rollback Wetlands Mitigation Requirements
From Florida Today.
The Army Corps of Engineers issued new rules for their wetlands mitigation that abandons the no net loss of wetlands policy which has been in effect for a decade. Instead of in-kind mitigation and restoration of former wetlands, the guidelines encourage the use of non-wetland mitigation, such as small streamside buffer strips, upland habitat and ponds or the deepening of existing wetlands for swimming or fishing, which by definition cannot compensate for natural wetlands losses. There was no advance notice to the other federal agencies, no consultation and no opportunity for the public to comment. "It is bizarre that the Corps proposes to weaken their inadequate program further, given that recent studies by the National Academy of Sciences, GAO and the Corps itself detail the widespread failure of the Corps’ current mitigation policies," said Daniel Rosenberg, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council. For more information on Army Corps permits and submitting comments visit www.floridasos.com

From 1780 to 1980, Florida lost 46% of its wetlands.

Next Article: Central Florida To Run Out of Water in Five Years.