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October is Florida Greenways and Trails Month

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Emphasizing a commitment to a healthier lifestyle for all Floridians, Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are recognizing October as Florida Greenways and Trails Month.

To read the entire article, follow the link below.

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/news/2007/10/1001_01.htm

Contact

Casey Mahoney, Florida Department of Environmental Protection
phone: (850) 245-2112.

World leaders look to tackle coasts' issues

The discoverer of the Titanic, a Nobel-winning climate researcher and officials from 29 countries are visiting the Tampa Bay area this week for a conference about coastal cities.

Please follow the link below for the complete article.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/water/article906006.ece

World leaders look to tackle coasts' issues

http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/water/article906006.ece

Shellfish Harvesting Open or Closed Status

The "Open" or "Close" status of a shellfish bed as determined by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Things to know:

When the status of areas is changed from open to closed, closures become effective at sunset. When the status of areas is changed from closed to open, reopenings become effective at sunrise.

Follow the link below for the current open/closed status.

http://shellfish.floridaaquaculture.com/seas/seas_southgulf.htm

EPA Announces Decision on Florida's Impaired Waters Rule

The water quality standards part of the revised Impaired Waters Rule, created by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, has been accepted by the EPA.

For more information, click on the EPA website link below

http://www.epa.gov/Region4/water/tmdl/florida/index.html

Contact

Dawn Harris-Young, Environmental Protection Agency, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov
phone:(404) 562-8421.

No wall can tame vagaries of the sea

Seawalls are out in Sarasota County. The old ones can stay, but there will probably be no new ones along the Gulf now that the Sarasota County commissioners have passed some of the toughest building rules in the state.

Please follow the link below for the complete article.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20081102/COLUMNIST/811020372

Environmental Specialist II

Open position with Sarasota County Government: Coordinates compliance with a county-wide stormwater pollution reduction permit (NPDES MS4). Produces a detailed annual report to the state and hosts an annual audit. Ensures that various work units document all permit-required activities. Facilitates the reduction of pollution in runoff water through technical and financial collaboration with various departments, agencies, co-permittees, consultants and the public. Effective performance requires strong interpersonal skills and talented written and verbal communication abilities. Actively participates in other projects. Presents complex information in an understandable way. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a related environmental field and two years professional experience related to the position. $37,419-$47,465.

Celebrate National Estuaries Day!

For the eighth consecutive year, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program is celebrating National Estuaries Day with the offer of a discounted ticket package that includes a cruise with Sarasota Bay Explorers and admission to Mote Aquarium. Cost for the package is only $7 per person (normally $32-$41) and is good for Saturday, September 27 only. On the Bay Explorers cruise, participants will join a marine biologist for a one-hour, 45-minute cruise around Sarasota Bay. Cruise goers will also observe populations of bottlenose dolphins And Florida manatees while learning about the area's ecology, history and folklore. The highlight of the trip is identifying and handling a diverse sample of Bay marine life pulled up in a trawl net for viewing on the boat. Tickets for the National Estuaries Day celebration must be purchased and picked up in advance at the Sarasota Bay Explorer desk at the Mote Aquarium entrance. Patrons will not be able to purchase discounted tickets on the day of the event. Tickets are available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. starting Saturday, September 20 through Friday, September 26. The Aquarium address is 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. For more information call 941-388-4200. Cruise times are 11:00 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. If these cruises times fill up other times may be opened for the same rate. If the cruise is canceled because of weather, tickets may be redeemed for other boat trips within 30 days. However, all tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE.

Local Beaches Score Excellent On Water Quality In 2005

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The Natural Resources Defense Council, which for 16 years has documented a steady decline in water quality at the nation's beaches, has filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency demanding it enforce standards.

The Good News: This year's state-by-state ratings show Sarasota County had no beach closings last year, and at most one beach - by the John Ringling Causeway - had three samples register a slightly elevated level of potentially disease-causing organisms during the year.

Article published Aug 11, 2006 By Rick Berry-Pelican Press

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