FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 04, 2013

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

FLORIDA PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE STATE’S SEAGRASSES

~Governor Scott names March 2013 Seagrass Awareness Month~

TALLAHASSEE – Governor Rick Scott proclaimed March 2013 Seagrass Awareness Month, the 12th annual statewide recognition from the Executive Office of the Governor. Awareness of seagrass and its integral role in the marine ecosystem, will help to create an understanding of the way seagrass damage can impact both the economic and ecological value of our marine resources.

Recreational divers, snorkelers and fishing enthusiasts from around the world visit Florida’s coastal areas to experience the state’s world-class marine resources and more than 90 percent of Florida’s recreational and commercial fisheries depend on seagrasses for part of their lifespan. Considered to be one of the most productive ecosystems in the world, seagrasses are flowering underwater grasses found in estuaries, lagoons and shallow, open shelves along Florida’s coastline.

“Seagrass habitat provides a variety of functions that contribute to a healthy and viable marine ecosystem,” said Kevin Claridge, DEP's Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas Director. “These valuable underwater grasses are one of the many natural resources that Floridians and visitors can work together to protect and preserve now and for future generations.”

Florida is home to seven species of seagrass. The multi-million dollar recreational and commercial fishing industry depends on healthy seagrasses to protect young fish and shellfish, coral reefs and other marine wildlife, including sea turtles, manatees and wading birds. A single acre of seagrass may support as many as 40,000 fish. Seagrasses are important to the natural ecosystem because they provide food for manatees and other wildlife, help maintain water clarity and provide shelter for fishes, crustaceans and shellfish.

Propeller scarring from boats poses a serious threat to seagrass habitats. While boating, you can help to protect this vital resource by following these tips:

- Know the waters where you plan to boat.

- Use current nautical charts of the area.

- Use marked channels where they exist and stay in deep water.

- When in doubt about the depth, slow down and idle. Make sure the bow of the boat is down and the motor is trimmed or tilted up.

- Know the tides. The greatest range of tides occurs during a full-moon and new-moon. Use extra caution when boating during a low tide.

- If you do run into a seagrass flat, stop immediately and tilt your engine.

For more information on Florida’s seagrasses, visit www.dep.state.fl.us/coastal/habitats/seagrass/. 

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WALK FOR THE ANIMALS FORT LAUDERDALE MARCH 02, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2013

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

INFORMATION REGARDING SINKHOLES FROM THE FLORIDA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

~Facts and information about encountering sinkholes in the state of Florida~

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Geological Survey has compiled the following information to provide a single point source for general knowledge about the nature of sinkholes in the state of Florida and additional information about proper protocol should you ever encounter a sinkhole in an urban area.

Facts about sinkholes in Florida:

-The entire state of Florida sits on top of several thousand feet of limestone. Limestone is a rock that can form with natural void spaces called porosity. In limestone where the void spaces are connected, the rock is permeable. Porous and permeable limestone makes great aquifers and provide millions of gallons of fresh drinking water for residents and agriculture. The most significant factor in the development of sinkholes is the dissolution of the limestone underlying Florida by naturally acidic groundwater.

-Sinkholes are a natural and common feature of Florida's landscape. They are only one of many kinds of karst landforms, which include depressions, caves (both air and water filled), disappearing streams, springs and underground aquifer systems, all of which occur in Florida. Thousands of naturally occurring sinkholes can be seen throughout the state of Florida including many that connect underground to springs, rivers and lakes.

-Sinkholes form in karst terrain from the collapse of surface sediments into underground voids. In Florida one may see solution sinkholes, cover-subsidence sinkholes or cover-collapse sinkholes. The first two types will show very little topographical disturbance to the naked eye, while the third is the type which shows a abrupt change in topography and is most associated with the thought of sinkholes.

Questions about sinkholes in urban and suburban environments:

-My yard is settling... Do I have a sinkhole? Maybe. But a number of other factors can cause holes, depressions or subsidence of the ground surface. Expansive clay layers in the earth may shrink upon drying, buried organic material, poorly-compacted soil after excavation work, buried trash or logs and broken pipes all may cause depressions to form at the ground surface. These settling events, when not verified as true sinkholes by professionals, are collectively called "subsidence incidents." If the settling is affecting a dwelling, further testing by a licensed engineer with a licensed geologist on staff or a licensed geology firm may be in order. Property insurance may pay for testing, but in many cases insurance may not cover damage from settling due to causes other than sinkholes.

-A sinkhole opened in my neigborhood... should I be concerned? Although sinkholes in Florida sometimes occur in sets, most are isolated events. The bedrock underlying the state is honeycombed with cavities of varying size, most of which will not collapse in our lifetimes. A quick inspection of your property for any sinking or soft areas might be prudent. Unless the sinkhole is very large, and extends to your property, there’s likely to be little reason for concern.

Should a sinkhole open in an area near you the hole should be immediately cordoned off and clearly marked to protect traffic. Contact local law enforcement to report the hazard and call your city or county road department to initiate repair work. If the road is private, repair of the hole is usually the responsibility of the landowner or property owners’ association.

-Is there a safe area of Florida where there is no chance of sinkholes? Technically, no. Since the entire state is underlain by carbonate rocks, sinkholes could theoretically form anywhere. However, there are definite regions where sinkhole risk is considerably higher. In general, areas of the state where limestone is close to surface, or areas with deeper limestone but with a conducive configuration of water table elevation, stratigraphy, and aquifer characteristics have increased sinkhole activity.

In an effort to assist the state residents are encouraged to report sinkhole information by filling out a subsidence incident report form on the Department’s website and submit the completed copy to the FGS. This website also contains information on sinkholes and how they form.

To access this form go to http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/forms/Subsidence/SIR-quick-form5.htm or contact FGS at 850-488-9380. More information about sinkholes can be found on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's website: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/geology/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2013

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP'S SOUTH DISTRICT HOSTS FIRST FLORIDA BROWNFIELD SYMPOSIUM

~Event focused on providing practical advice for brownfield redevelopment~

More than 100 developers, investors, realtors and others attended the first Florida Brownfield Symposium and Workshop in Fort Myers.

FORT MYERS – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection partnered with the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council to host the first Florida Brownfield Symposium and Workshop today. This seminar aimed to inform the community of the economic, legal and practical aspects of brownfield redevelopment in Southwest Florida.

“Brownfield redevelopment represents environmental as well as economic benefits to all communities," said Jorge Caspary, DEP Division of Waste Management Director. "This redevelopment cleans up contamination, creates jobs and strengthens communities."

More than 100 developers, investors, realtors and other community members attended the free workshop Friday, which included presentations from local leaders with practical experience in cleaning up and redeveloping these brownfield sites. A brownfield site is a property where expansion, redevelopment or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of environmental pollution. DEP Brownfields Liaison Kim Walker discussed the Department’s role in brownfield redevelopment and brownfield designation.

The Florida Brownfields Program facilitates redevelopment and job creation by empowering communities, local governments and other stakeholders to work together to assess, clean up and reuse sites that have been previously impacted by pollutants. The program focuses on contaminated site cleanup and economic redevelopment associated with brownfield sites. To make the program's incentives available to a community, a local government must designate a brownfields area by resolution. Local governments have designated 330 current brownfield areas statewide.

This program utilizes economic and regulatory incentives to encourage the use of private revenue to restore and redevelop sites, create new jobs and boost the local economy. Since its inception in 1997, the program has helped clean up 57 contaminated sites, confirmed and projected more than 40,000 direct and indirect jobs and made roughly $1.8 billion in capital investment for designated brownfield areas, according to data in the Florida Brownfields Redevelopment Program 2011-2012 Annual Report.

The Department is also responsible for awarding tax credits to encourage participants to conduct voluntary cleanup of brownfield sites. In 2012, the Department approved more than $5.1 million in Voluntary Cleanup Tax Credits for site rehabilitation work completed in designated brownfield areas in 2011 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2013

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

FLORIDA PARK SERVICE COMMEMORATES WOMEN’S HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH AND VIVA FLORIDA 500 IN MARCH

~Many historical and cultural events planned this month at state parks and trails throughout the state~

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings loved to walk in the shade of orange trees at her house, which is the main site at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park in Cross Creek.

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Park Service is proud to host many historical and cultural events this month in recognition of Women’s History Month, Archaeology Month and Viva Florida 500. Florida State Parks will commemorate the role of women and the impact they made on parks as well as significant archaeological discoveries made in state parks through reenactments of historical events, educational displays and interactive programs. These activities will bring history to life and set the stage for a fun, educational family outing.

“Florida’s state parks are proud to host many Women’s History and Archaeology-focused events this month and throughout the year,” said Donald Forgione, DEP’s Florida Park Service Director. “Embracing, preserving and promoting Florida’s cultural history is a significant role for state parks and we enjoy providing this important information to our visitors.”

National Women’s History Month, sponsored by the National Women’s History Project, is a celebration of the achievements of women in all facets of life – science, community, government, literature, art, sports, medicine – that have a positive impact on the development of self-respect and new opportunities for girls and young women.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park is named after the author who lived and worked in the tiny community of Cross Creek. Her cracker style home and farm, where she lived for 25 years and wrote her Pulitzer prize-winning novel, The Yearling, has been restored and is preserved as it was when she lived there. The Yearling was published in April 1938 and this year the park will celebrate 75 years of the classic story of a young boy and his pet fawn, as they mature from one spring to the next in the Florida scrub. Visitors may tourthe house with a ranger in period costume from October through July, on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (except Thanksgiving and Christmas) at 10 and 11 a.m. and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 p.m. for $3 for adults and $2 for children aged 6 – 12.

The Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway is named after the woman who led the movement to stop the Cross Florida Barge Canal project. The corridor that exists today as the Cross Florida Greenway was, for decades, the site of one of Florida's largest public works projects ever. In Feb. 1964, the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers began construction of the Cross Florida Barge Canal. After decades of lawsuits and congressional bills to deauthorize the construction of the canal, in Nov. 1990, President George Bush signed SB 2740 into law deauthorizing the Cross Florida Barge Canal project and changing the purpose of the lands to recreation and conservation. The greenway was named after Marjorie Harris Carr in 1998. See the Greenway and all the beautiful nature by joining the 8th Annual Hike Across Marion County March 2, 9 and 16. Hikes depart from the Santos Campground at 8:30 a.m.

Archaeology is the study of ancient cultures through the recovery and examination of material remains such as buildings, grave sites, tools and other artifacts usually dug up from the ground. Learn about ancient cultures at Florida’s state parks during Archaeology Month events.

Silver River Knap-In

Silver River State Park, Ocala

Saturday and Sunday, March 2 & 3

9 a.m. to 4 p.m

This weekend event will feature flint knappers from across the Southeast making stone tools like Native Americans did thousands of years ago. Visitors can watch as stone tools are created from various flints by expert "knappers." Other artists and crafters will demonstrate how bows and arrows are made, hide tanning, pottery manufacture and firing, tomahawk and spear throwing and other skills.

Timucua! Program

Faver-Dykes State Park, St. Augustine

Saturday, March 30

2 to 4 p.m.

Experience and discover Native American life ways of the Timucuan Indians and their relationship to the land they loved. Explore with an expert guide, enjoy stories about the Timucuans and discover the important role the river, forest and ocean played in their everyday lives. See a re-created 1500s Timucuan Camp and experience the food, clothing and shelter of these amazing people. Try your hand at throwing an atlatl or starting a fire using a bow and drill.

Many of Florida's state parks and trails offer an educational look at history and culture. Some offer valuable lessons for women’s history and archeology, all of which are commemorated during Viva Florida 500.

Every week in 2013, the Florida Park Service will highlight a significant event or milestone that happened in a state park or associated with a state park on a new web page called, “Viva Florida 500 – History Notes.” At this web page, visitors can learn about Florida’s heritage through state parks and then experience it in real life by visiting that particular state park. The month of March is jam-packed with reenactment and heritage day events at Florida's state parks.

Battle of Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park, south of Tallahassee

Saturday and Sunday, March 2 & 3

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

During the final weeks of the Civil War and early on the morning of March 6, 1865, volunteers from the Tallahassee area - Confederate soliders, old men and young boys - met the Union forces at Natural Bridge and successfully repelled three major attacks. On Saturday, March 2, guests will mingle with civil war reenactors and observe a Confederate-Union skirmish, cavalry demonstrations, artillery shows and medical treatment examples. Sunday, March 3, will be the official Opening Ceremonies and Dedication, followed by a full-scale reenactment of the Battle of Natural Bridge at 2:30 p.m.

Fort Cooper Days

Fort Cooper State Park, Inverness

Saturday and Sunday, March 16 & 17

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Experience Second Seminole War and Florida history. Explore period military and Seminole camps. Take in living history demonstrations held throughout the day, visit the period craft vendors or grab a bite to eat from one of the food or snack vendors. Battle reenactments will be held twice daily at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Loud sounds may frighten young children and pets.

Cape Florida Heritage Days

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne

Saturday, March 9

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tour the lighthouse and keeper's house and talk with park rangers and volunteers to learn about the history of Cape Florida. Two nature walks highlighting the plants and vegetation that Juan Ponce DeLeon would have observed when he set foot on Key Biscayne in 1513. Historic reenactors will re-create the 1858 pre-Civil War time period featuring a lighthouse keeper and Cape Florida family life. Enjoy demonstrations of candle making and a musician playing the dulcimer. A ship salvager and hunter/trapper will talk about life in the mid-1800s.

Homosassa Heritage Day

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Homosassa

Saturday, March 9

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In collaboration with Citrus County Historical Society, Florida Archaeological Society, Crystal River Archaeological State Park, Homosassa River Garden Club and other local groups, this event will feature displays of historic photos of the Homosassa area and Homosassa Springs Attraction in the Florida Room. Also learn about the people, places and lands of David Yulee's Margarita plantation from Jason D. Moser, PhD with the Florida Public Archaeology Network. Costumed reenactors will converse with Florida pioneer woman Dessie Smith Prescott, and novelists Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and Ernest Hemingway. Reminisce with retired park rangers about the former wildlife attraction and the famous animals that wintered here.

Annual Fort Chokonikla Encampment

Paynes Creek Historic State Park, Bowling Green

Saturday and Sunday, March 23 & 24,

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This year’s event will feature reenactment of the fatal attack by renegade Seminoles on the Kennedy-Darling trading post. Other demonstrations will include how United States soldiers, local pioneer settlers and Seminoles struggled to survive during the mid-1800s in central Florida. Reenactors will demonstrate their skills with bow and arrows and tomahawks. There will also be exciting black powder demonstrations with period rifles, pistols and cannons.

This is just a sample of the many history focused events being held this month at a Florida state park.

AMERICAS CONTIGO

This Wednesday March 6th learn from the Broward County officials

Broward County officials will be speaking about trade and how to do business with the government Mr. Dale Holness Ms. Jasmine Jones Commissioner Comm. Relations and Outreach Manager Broward County Office of Economic & Small Business Development Learn about what's new with the Business Opportunity Act of 2012 Additional topics will include: * How to register as a vendor to do business with Broward County * How to access current opportunities and research past solicitation results * The benefits of participating and how to get certified in local and federal Small Business Programs * Overview of online Small Business Development resources Place: Rick Case Honda 15700 Rick Case Honda Way 2nd Floor Community Room Weston, Fl 33331 Time: 8:00 AM- 9:30 AM Cost $10.00 Registration: 7:50AM Bring a Friend! For more information, find us at: http://americascc.org/b2b.html

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2013

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

HUNDREDS ATTEND DEP AND FWC GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION COUNCIL MEETINGS

~Panama City meeting and webinar held to accept public's ideas for Florida projects~

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hosted a public meeting and webinar this week to gather public input on projects in Florida that could be funded by the federal RESTORE Act.

“I am thrilled with how many people have participated in the webinar and meetings and provided thoughtful and high quality ideas,” said Mimi Drew, Governor Scott’s representative on the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council. “I hope we continue to see this type of input throughout the process.”

The meeting and webinar were designed to gather input on the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council’s Path Forward document and Florida’s projects to be submitted to the Council for consideration. The Tuesday webinar drew 132 participants and the meeting Thursday at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City hosted nearly 200 members of the public.

An additional public meeting will be held on March 13, at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissions Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg. The Department, along with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, is presenting information on the state’s five priority areas for projects and is accepting input on projects the public would like submitted to the Council for consideration for inclusion in the initial Comprehensive Plan.

The RESTORE Act, which was passed by Congress on June 29, 2012 and signed into law by President Obama on July 6, 2012, created the Council, and established several funding categories for the Clean Water Act civil and administrative penalties resulting from the Deepwater Horizon explosion on April 20, 2010.

The Council is required, after notice and opportunity for public comment, to publish an initial Comprehensive Plan by July 6, 2013. The Path Forward document, which was released by the Council on Jan. 29, describes how the Council will build on the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Forces work and articulates the Council’s plan to collaboratively develop the initial Comprehensive Plan.

The public may provide comments on the Path Forward document by email to: RestoreCouncil@doc.gov. For more information on additional meeting or to submit projects to the state list visit the Department’s Deepwater Horizon webpage, www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon.

LAUDERDALE BY-THE-SEA

FEBRUARY 27, 2013
12th Annual TASTE OF THE BEACH

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LAUDERDALE BY THE SEA: 12th Annual TASTE OF THE BEACH

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