Written by Steve Patterson, Florida Times-Union
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is granting Florida sole authority to issue wetlands permits previously overseen by two federal government agencies, greatly increasing state responsibility for development affecting waterways.
EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler signed an agreement Thursday delegating power under the Clean Water Act to approve or deny permits for work that releases “dredged or fill material” into wetlands or waterways.
The handoff has been deeply opposed by many environmental activists, who worry that less oversight will mean less protection of wetlands.
Only two states, New Jersey and Michigan, have that authority, and none has joined that list since 1994.
Read the story online here
Here’s more on the direct impact on the Treasure Coast