NOVEMBER 2024 NEWSLETTER
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Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners Approve Resolution Supporting Conservation of County Natural Areas | |
OOR Partakes in Panel Discussion at the Flooding Adaptation Symposium in Kissimmee, Florida | |
On October 31, 2024, OOR Director Megan Houston attended the Symposium on Flooding Adaptation in Kissimmee, Florida, which was organized by Florida Sea Grant and the UF College of Design, Construction, and Planning. Over 120 people attended this inaugural event to address the pressing issue of flooding in Florida’s coastal and inland areas. Panels of environmental professionals discussed their current projects and initiatives to implement effective flood adaptation strategies. Ms. Houston joined local government and Southeast Sustainability Directors Network colleagues to highlight collaborative approaches to funding regional planning efforts, while adding a bit of Halloween whimsy dressing up as sea creatures. To learn more about this event, click HERE. | |
Statewide Referendums Pass in Four Florida Counties to Protect Natural Habitats | |
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On November 5, 2024, Martin, Osceola, Clay, and Lake Counties approved ballot measures to further conservation initiatives. Locally, 64% of Martin County voters approved a half-cent sales tax, which will be used to purchase and protect native habitat. Over the next 10 years, $18 million is estimated to be generated to protect water quality and wildlife. The approval preserves 46,000 acres and includes key areas such as the Indian River Lagoon watershed, the Blueways, Loxa-Lucie headwaters, and Pal-Mar. The sales tax will go into effect on January 1, 2025.
The other county referendums, which had 73% or higher voter approvals, will similarly use bonds to fund the local conservation programs.
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November Welcomes the Beginning of Manatee Season in Florida | |
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Florida’s manatee season runs from November 15 to March 31, as cooler temperatures drive manatees south for warmer waters. This keystone species was listed under the Endangered Species Act in 2017. Locally, many manatees take refuge in the Lake Worth Lagoon. Their threats consist of habitat loss and boat strikes. PBC is one of 13 counties that the State of Florida requires to have Manatee Protection Plans to address public education, habitat protection, and speed zone enforcement.
To support PBC manatee protection plan requirements, the PBC Department of Environmental Resource Management (ERM) addresses manatee conservation in several different capacities. For example, ERM’s mapping program monitors the location and available acreage of seagrass within the Lake Worth Lagoon. ERM also manages the water quality from the C-51 canal, which feeds into the Lagoon and contributes to providing a hospitable environment for the seagrass to grow. Results are promising, with a recent Palm Beach Post article reporting that seagrass acreage within the Lagoon increased by one-third, or up to 2,100 acres, from 2018 to 2023. Click HERE to learn more about ERM’s manatee conservation efforts.
Here are some reminders of how to enjoy manatee season responsibly:
- It is illegal to touch or harass manatees
- If you find an injured, sick, or orphaned manatee, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) hotline at (888) 404-3922
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Review FWC’s Manatee Protection Areas within Palm Beach County
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Review PBC’s Manatee Protection Plan for more in-depth information on how FWC and PBC are working to protect these animals
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White House Announces $3.6 Billion for Water Infrastructure Through Investing in America Agenda
On October 23, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced $3.6 billion in funding for water infrastructure upgrades. This is in conjunction with $8.8 billion in funding that was announced earlier this year. In addition to enhancing drinking water, these funds will work to improve wastewater facilities and protect freshwater sources. This is part of a $50 billion, five-year investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To read about the state-by-state breakdown for 2025 funding allocations or more about this initiative, click HERE.
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White House, NOAA Award $7.6 million for Flooding, Extreme Precipitation Preparedness
On October 29, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced $7.6 million in funding to assist communities with preparing and recovering from floods and adverse weather events. The funding will help map flooding, improve water cycle monitoring, and develop a community precipitation monitoring resource. In total, NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service for flood and precipitation projects has received $13.8 million from the federal government. To read more about the project, click HERE.
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FEMA Awards $1 Billion for Emergency Work in Florida
In response to Hurricanes Milton, Helene, and Debby, the Federal Emergency Management Agency granted $1 billion to the State of Florida through its Public Assistance program, which included $608.6 million for Hurricane Milton impacts. Funds will assist local communities with debris removal and emergency response. To learn more about recovery efforts for Florida, click HERE.
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City of Boca Raton to Host E-Waste Recycling Drive
Location: Spanish River Library, 1501 Spanish River Blvd, Boca Raton, FL
Date: November 23, 2024, 10:00 AM–1:00 PM
Details: The City of Boca Raton’s Office of Sustainability is hosting an electronics waste, or “E-Waste,” recycling drive before the holidays. Click HERE to read what items will be accepted at the drive.
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Dyer Park Tree Planting
Location: Dyer Park, 7301 N Haverhill Rd, West Palm Beach, FL
Date: December 14, 2024, 9:00–11:00 AM
Details: Community Greening, PBC Parks & Recreation Department, and the Florida Forest Service have teamed up to plant 125 native trees at Dyer Park. Volunteer are invited to learn about tree plantings and help install these trees. All tools will be provided, as well as snacks. To learn more and sign up to volunteer, click HERE.
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Loggerhead Marine Life Center’s Conservation Manager, Valerie Tovar, was a guest on the Resilience Gone Wild podcast. In the episode, she highlights the work of her team in addressing anthropogenic effects facing sea turtles and their habitat. Through data collection of marine debris (manmade plastic), Loggerhead is able to determine what initiatives would be most impactful. Whether it is through the Responsible Pier Initiative or other pollution prevention programs, Tovar believes a core component of ocean conservation is through representation because everyone is impacted by the ocean’s wellbeing. “The ocean is so diverse, and there’s no reason the field of ocean conservation shouldn’t be the same.”
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Atlas Public Policy released its fifth annual “Transportation Electrification in the Southeast” report with the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy. The data, spanning from July 2024 to June 2024, covers six market indicators: investments in manufacturing, job creation, electric vehicle (EV) sales, charging infrastructure deployment, utility investments, and public funding. Within the timeframe, there was a 42% increase in EV sales from the six states included in the report. Regionally, the Southeast leads the nation in job creation from the EV industry. Additionally, Florida held the largest share of the market at 8.9%.
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