Francisca Jeffords’ Post

Community Update: Chiquita Lock to Be Removed! 🚨 After a year-long petition and countless hearings, Chiquita Lock will be removed! This significant development comes as an Administrative Law Judge has recommended the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) issue an Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) to the City of Cape Coral for the lock's removal. 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀: 📍The decision follows the final administrative hearing held in December 2023, which saw extensive evidence and testimonies. 📍 The petition, led by the Matlacha Civic Association and other local groups, opposed the removal due to environmental concerns. 📍 Despite these challenges, the ALJ concluded that the city's ERP meets the necessary standards under Florida law. 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆'𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁: 📍 The City of Cape Coral is dedicated to addressing any environmental concerns while fulfilling community needs. 📍 The removal project, overseen by Brown and Caldwell, includes stormwater improvements, environmental monitoring, habitat enhancements, and more to ensure sustainability and environmental health. 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: 📍 From September 2020 to September 2023, the city has invested over $1 million in legal fees for the Chiquita Lock case, with additional costs expected. 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗮 𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: 📍Installed in 1977 to comply with the Clean Water Act, the lock separates canal waters from natural waterways. 📍It has been open since Hurricane Ian due to damage and safety concerns, but efforts to remove it predate the storm. 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀: 📍The city is evaluating the next critical steps for the lock's removal, aiming for an expeditious and environmentally responsible process. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁: 📍 This project promises significant environmental benefits and increased waterway sustainability, enhancing our beloved Cape Coral community for future generations.

🌍 Announcing the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s Environmental Justice Clearinghouse! On April 21, 2023, President Biden’s Executive Order 14906 (https://lnkd.in/gS-XSPGr) established the Environmental Justice Clearinghouse, which is now accessible to all. This resource hub is designed to empower communities and stakeholders by providing a wealth of information and materials related to environmental justice efforts. 🔗 What You’ll Find in the EJ Clearinghouse: The EJ Clearinghouse offers a comprehensive collection of culturally and linguistically appropriate resources. These include research materials, policy updates, best practices, and actionable tools, all aimed at supporting environmental justice advocates and practitioners. Accessible Information: Resources are tailored to be accessible and useful to a diverse range of communities and stakeholders. Community Empowerment: Materials are designed to equip communities with the tools they need to advocate for and achieve environmental justice. 🤝 Contribute and Collaborate: Share Your Resources: Help enrich the Clearinghouse by submitting your own materials that could benefit others. Submit your resources through the EJ Clearinghouse submission form: https://lnkd.in/g2n4_Fh3

“Planning and Development Director Eric Smith told members of the Lake Ellis Watershed Management Partnership that the town plans to apply for a federal Environmental Protection Agency Section 319 Grant to control the amount of what is known as “nonpoint source pollution” making its way into the lake. Nonpoint pollution, according to the EPA website, is 'caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and ground waters.'” These federal grant funds would be administered by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Quality. Additionally, for the 2025 grant year, communities seeking program funds do not have to commit to a 40% local match. The town is awaiting information and estimates on two strategies to decide on their path forward for the grant application. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gQhtq7Uc #thepreserver #stormwatermanagement #stormwater #momentumenvironmental #civilengineering

📢 Make sure you have registered already because you only have 5 days left before our Monthly Virtual Lunch & Learn Alert. Don't miss out! 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗡𝗬𝗦 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟯𝟳𝟱 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 Date: Tuesday, March 26th, 2024 Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (Virtual Session) Join us for an insightful discussion on the New NYS Part 375 Remedial Program Draft Regulations. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has released the second revision to the proposed amendment to 6 NYCRR Part 375, Environmental Remediation Programs. This rule-making amends Part 375 to align with recent amendments to the Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) and enhances requirements for the State Superfund Program and the Environmental Restoration Program (ERP). Additionally, it updates soil cleanup objectives (SCOs) based on feedback from DEC staff and the New York State Department of Health. Our Lunch and Learn session will provide a comprehensive overview of these amendments and offer insights from both NYSDEC and the regulated community. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this event is a valuable opportunity to stay informed and engage in meaningful discussions about the evolving regulatory landscape in New York State. Lots of great topics will be discussed. Don't miss this opportunity to stay ahead of the curve in brownfield management. Presenters: Karen Cahill, NY State DEC Linda Shaw, Knauf Shaw LLP Michael W. Tyszko, Bousquet Holstein PLLC REGISTER NOW:https://bit.ly/3wNJCMi #BCONE #brownfields #lunchandlearn  #environmentalprotection  #industryexperts  #stayaheadofthecurve

Riverkeeper applauds Governor Hochul and the New York State Legislature for their dedication to our environment and clean water, as demonstrated by the passage of the 2025 state budget which includes significant wins for New York and the Hudson River. The budget not only allocates substantial funding for environmental initiatives but also supports policy victories crucial for the protection of New York’s natural resources. However, we are disappointed that NY HEAT was not included in the final budget and urge all parties to pass this significant climate legislation by the end of the session. Key highlights of the budget include: - $500 Million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act: This allocation will aid communities statewide in upgrading their aging water infrastructure, bringing the total investment in New York’s water infrastructure to $5.5 billion since the program’s inception in 2017. These funds are especially important in light of recent EPA drinking water quality standards for 6 PFAS related chemicals, which will require costly upgrades to drinking water treatment plants across New York State. - $400 Million for the Environmental Protection Fund: This funding will bolster various environmental programs, encompassing water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, fisheries research, and pollution prevention efforts. - Restoration of $7.5 Million for the Hudson River Estuary Program: This ensures that critical Hudson River programs can continue unimpeded, furthering efforts to preserve and enhance the ecological health of the Hudson River Estuary. - $150 million for the NY SWIMs initiative is a step in the right direction to ensure we enhance access to safe swimming in Hudson River, upgrading existing beaches and creating opportunities for new beaches. Jeremy Cherson, Senior Manager of Government Affairs for Riverkeeper, echoed the sentiment, stating, “Riverkeeper celebrates the policy and funding triumphs in the New York State budget, including $500 million for the Clean Water Infrastructure Act and $400 million for the Environmental Protection Fund. These investments will bolster New York’s climate resilience, habitat restoration efforts, and community engagement with waterfronts. We extend thanks to Governor Hochul, Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Speaker Heastie, Assemblymember Glick, and Senator Harckham for their unwavering dedication to clean water and environmental stewardship. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with state leaders to advance additional climate, clean water, and environmental legislation in the coming weeks.” https://lnkd.in/eUuCMzJ9

"....[groundwater sustainability] needs to be about revitalizing the very visible land and communities at the heart of the state." Ann Hayden at Environmental Defense Fund – a true Western water policy expert – makes this astute and crucial point in her recent Los Angeles Times op-ed on California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) implementation ⬇ https://lnkd.in/exviC_MV Her piece is a must-read, highlighting the role of the state’s Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program in making SGMA, California’s landmark groundwater sustainability law, successful.   In our experience, multi-pronged, multi-benefit strategies are vital to working effectively on the ground in California’s Central Valley to support sustainable agriculture and water management. And we see an important role for private capital to play in this process, by bringing needed financial resources and the ability to move quickly and creatively to support farmers and water managers in America’s leading agricultural state.   #SustainableInvesting #WaterResiliency #WaterResilientCA #SustainableAgriculture 

'Land repurposing', or simply land-use change away from uses that are inconsistent with long term sustainability, is an important and under-utilised tool. Successful implementation requires strong engagement with the rural communities involved so that their deep local knowledge is incorporated and they can thrive with the change. Our food systems increasingly rely on groundwater, a resource that is both invisible and rapidly declining. While the long road to groundwater sustainability is difficult, reducing our irrigated footprint can positively transform landscapes and rural communities. Initiatives like California’s land repurposing program highlight the potential for repurposed farmland to benefit people and ecosystems alike. As EDF’s Ann Hayden says, “we need to embrace what this means not just for our relationship with all the water we can’t see, but also for the beautiful, potent land we have the privilege to live with every day.” Environmental Defense Fund; Ann Hayden Andrew Ayres https://lnkd.in/gEiuj8Fk

Could have significant ramifications on commercial real estate...

In recognition of World Rainforest Day, June 22, the Cloudburst Group’s Environmental Review team is debuting a series of tips that will explore common issues, suggested actions, and other environmental compliance and review-related issues. We begin this series with the definition of environmental compliance and its importance to mitigating negative impacts to the environment. Environmental compliance is the practice of following environmental laws, regulations, restrictions, and requirements to minimize impacts of construction on the surrounding ecosystem, local community, and wildlife. Environmental regulations can push developers beyond compliance and into innovative practices and sustainable resourcing to further combat pressing environmental issues such as pollution, habitat destruction, climate change, and vulnerability to disasters.   Congress enacted the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969, which requires Federal agencies to assess the significant environmental consequences of their proposed actions and to inform the public of their decisions. The Office of Environment and Energy (OEE) ensures that environmental compliance under NEPA is advanced and sustained within projects and programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), by managing HUD’s environmental review process.   An environmental review is the process of determining whether a project complies with NEPA as well as state and local government regulations. All HUD-assisted projects are required to undergo an environmental review to evaluate and mitigate their potential environmental impacts before funds, regardless of source, are committed. You can learn more about the various levels and extent of environmental review here. Cloudburst’s Environmental Review Team works with our clients to facilitate the environmental review process once their projects receive HUD funding. Our mission is to achieve sustainable environmental development through accessible environmental review training, ensuring a thorough analysis of the physical, biological, and social impacts of clients’ projects. Our efforts also ensure that indigenous, vulnerable, and marginalized communities are prioritized in the face of construction and development impact as well as climate and disaster resilience, response, and recovery. Image: Adobe Stock / © Galyna Andrushko #worldrainforestday #sustainability #environmentalcompliance #climateresilience #environmentalreview Additional Resources: HUD Environmental Justice: https://lnkd.in/dCU8wQ9M HUD Environmental Assessment Guide https://lnkd.in/dHCe3iXK Environment and Climate Resilience: https://lnkd.in/d4NQ7MsX

California Voters Approve $10 Billion Bond for Water and Environmental Protection Projects   California voters have passed Proposition 4, a $10 billion bond measure dedicated to funding a range of water, clean energy, and environmental initiatives across the state, reports the Los Angeles Times.   This measure designates $3.8 billion for water projects, which include initiatives to ensure safe drinking water, expand water recycling, enhance groundwater storage, and bolster flood control efforts. Additionally, $1.5 billion will be allocated to wildfire prevention, while $1.2 billion will target coastal protections to address risks from rising sea levels.   Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gvcp5qS6   ChlorTainer systems are being utilized at municipal water, wastewater, and industrial sites both nationwide and internationally to provide protection to operators and their surrounding communities. ChlorTainer’s long-lasting secondary containment technology allows water managers to continue benefiting from their chlorine gas investment while achieving a new standard of safety.   Learn more about funding resources: https://lnkd.in/gZ4TkDZ   #WaterIndustry #WaterTreatment #WaterOperator #WastewaterOperator