Colleen Teubner, JD
phone: (202) 464-2293
cteubner@peer.org
Barry Sulkin, Technical Consultant
4443 Pecan Valley Road
Nashville, TN 37218
phone: (615) 255-2079
sulkin@hughes.net
From the southern Appalachian mountains to the beautiful sandy beaches of Florida, to the rich, diverse ecosystems of the Gulf Coast, the Southeast and Gulf Coast of the United States supports a wide range of industries, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and recreation. But the fragile environment in these areas is weakening and under attack, an attack often advanced by government agencies and powerful interest groups. Our challenge is to right the ship to ensure that the area’s precious ecosystems are preserved for generations to come.
One area of focus for PEER is in Florida, where we are actively engaged in helping state and local employees do their jobs. These employees often find that they are marginalized, even blackballed, if they try to abide by the very laws that they are sworn to uphold. PEER’s work is focused on protecting these employees and shining a light on the government’s failure to do its job.
Unfortunately, an eroding of environmental and public health protections is common not only in Florida, but throughout the entire region, and at all levels of government. If these trends are not changed, the destruction of the region’s fragile environment and its natural resources- will continue, ultimately causing a continued die-off of wildlife, more polluted waters, poorer health outcomes, and a weaker economy.
Florida Pollution Enforcement Reports
Since 2004, PEER has examined Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) files to assess pollution enforcement. In a state heavily reliant on its natural beauty for tourism revenue, it has fallen far short of acceptable pollution levels primarily in its waterways and wastewater management.
Despite pledges to strengthen pollution enforcement, Florida state records show declines in virtually all meaningful measures. Notably, violations and significant noncompliance with pollution limits are growing while major enforcement actions are declining.
NEWS FROM THE SOUTHEAST AND GULF COAST
Venice Epitomizes Florida Water Pollution Crisis
Continued Illegal Discharges Amid Record Gulf Red Tide Outbreaks
September Was Especially Deadly for Florida Manatees
Red Tide Drives Manatee Mortality So Far in 2018 to Third-Highest All Time
Hurricanes Create Polluters Holidays in Florida
Hurricane Irma Led to Massive Animal Waste Discharges with No Monitoring
Manatee Deaths in 2018 Already Top Last Year’s High Toll
Nearly 100 Red Tide-related Deaths so Far; Second-highest Total This Decade
South Florida Awash in Cow Manure
State Allows Massive Animal Waste Discharges to Surface and Ground Waters
Florida Racks up Second Worst Eco-Enforcement in 30+ Years
Scott Pollution Forgiveness Paints False Picture of Compliance with No Follow-Up
Mega-Pollution Violations Befoul St. Johns River
Non-Enforcement Leaves Florida’s Longest River with Excess Bacteria and Nutrients
Feds Urged To Tackle Rampant Florida Water Pollution
Lack of State Enforcement vs. City of Lynn Haven Triggers Intervention Petition
Disastrous 2018 Brings Record Manatee Deaths
In Less Than 2 Months, 154 Florida Manatees Perish, One-Third from Cold Stress
Florida Treats Oil Companies with Kid Gloves in Spill Cleanups
Taxpayers Often Left Holding the Bag in Leaking Petroleum Storage Tank Program
Another Lethal Year for Florida Panthers in 2017
Deaths Again Outstrip Litters with Heavy Toll on Females of Reproductive Age
500 Manatee Deaths in 2017…and Counting
Last Year’s Mortality Spike Already Topped Before December Cold Snaps
Scott’s Pledge to Restore Florida Springs Was a Scam
Petroleum Cleanup $ Misdirected Outside Spring-Sheds or to Low Priority Projects
Low Priority Toxic Sites Go to Head of Florida’s Cleanup Line
Rural Residents at Greater Risk from Leaving the Most Hazardous Sites Unabated
Florida’s Toxic Cleanup Trust Funds Looted
Quarter Billion Dollar Diversion Compounded by Plummeting Penalty Revenue
Many Floridians Unknowingly Drink Contaminated Water
No Notice to Residents at Thousands of Sites Polluted by Leaking Petroleum Tanks
Florida Eco-Enforcement Still Scraping Bottom
Even Slight Upturns Cannot Mask Historic Nosedive in Pollution Control
Manatee Mortality Spiked in 2016
Record Number of Florida Manatees Killed by Boat Collisions
Florida Panther Deaths Tie Record High in 2016
80% Killed in Collisions – a New All-Time High Rate and Number
Canaveral Superintendent Kicked Upstairs to Non-Job
“Strategic Planning” Posting Highlights Park Service Accountability Blind Spot