FCS’ Post

ICYMI! This month, U.S. Representative Marc Molinaro (R; NY-19) and Chrissy Houlahan (D; PA-6) introduced the bipartisan bill "Ensure Funding For Our Environment Act," which would restore federal funding for the Mid-Atlantic River Basin Commissions: DRBC, Susquehanna River Basin Commission and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin. Read the news release: https://lnkd.in/e_TJttSw In the release, DRBC's Executive Director Stave Tambini said, "The DRBC thanks Congressman Molinaro and Congresswoman Houlahan for introducing the Ensure Funding for Our Environment Act. By committing to bipartisan funding solutions for our shared water resources, this bill demonstrates the importance of science-based water management for over 14 million people in communities throughout the Delaware River Basin." Learn more about the bill: https://lnkd.in/ebU7hgBE #DRBC #delawarebasin #bipartisan #environmentalprotection #watermanagement #environmentalresponsibility #fundingnews #waterresourcemanagement #waterquality #waterresources #scienceandenvironment #newsrelease #federalgovernment #news #icymi

Biden-Harris Administration Delivers $105 Million from Investing in America Agenda for Water Conservation and Efficiency Projects U.S. Department of the Interior https://lnkd.in/euUYVMZm #BidenHarrisAdministration #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalPolicy #WaterConservation #InvestingInAmerica

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.

Details of the long-awaited Water Restoration Fund have now been published by DEFRA. My colleague Helena Sewell has covered which kind of projects would qualify for a grant from the Fund and the values available to applicants in this article: https://lnkd.in/esBNYmHb #environment #waterlaw #waterestorationfund #environmentalregulation

Climate resiliency 🤝 Vision Zero The largest #resiliencypark in New Jersey, ResilienCity Park in the City of Hoboken offers more than five acres of public #openspace amenities and 2 million gallons of #stormwaterdetention through above- and below-ground infrastructure. ☔ As Special Environmental Counsel to the City, Maraziti Falcon's Joanne Vos assisted in the acquisition of three parcels comprising a total of six acres of property in Northwest #Hoboken, most of which was developed into this park. 🌳 #HobokenNJ #stormwater #stormwaterinfrastructure #environmentalresiliency #stormwatermanagement #stormwatermitigation #environmentalremediation #environmentallaw #redevelopmentlaw

Another consternating development demonstrating that we are not taking climate risk seriously enough in governance decisions. While recent changes to the Conservation Authorities Act do provide some incremental ability to assess hazard risk in permitting, the greater appeals ability for developers (including going to the Minister) risks undermining the intent. Conservation Authorities are Ontario's secret weapon in hazard management, and it clearly shows in the comparison of catastrophic flood losses per capita across the country. Unique to Ontario, they are one of the best regulatory governance models informing development in the world. If the Minister were to approve a neighbourhood development over the objections of a Conservation Authority, and that development were to flood, there is a risk the province would be opened to a class action lawsuit, to say nothing of the insurability implications. https://lnkd.in/du7feg8S

The Colorado River Basin states must move beyond staking out competing positions and reach agreement on comprehensive solutions that address the long-term sustainability of the river. The Upper Basin proposal does not commit to implementing the water conservation programs needed to help bring the system into balance and it doesn’t prioritize protecting the river itself. The Lower Basin proposal mentions operations that benefit the Grand Canyon but does not incorporate environmental considerations basin-wide. The states must come back together in the coming months to find comprehensive solutions to protect the environment and secure the future of a river plagued by unsustainable water demands and climate change. “The future of our region depends on both the Upper and Lower Basin working together. WRA is proposing three policy solutions to the Bureau of Reclamation to keep the river healthy by creating a River Resilience Reserve, improving reservoir operations, and shaping river management to protect the environment." - said John Berggren, PhD., regional policy manager for Western Resource Advocates.

💧💰𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 $51 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐔.𝐒. 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 🏛️ The U.S. Department of the Interior allocates $51 million for 30 new Environmental Water Resource Projects in 11 states, focusing on water conservation and restoration for ecosystem health under President Biden's #InvestinginAmerica agenda. 🏞️From Idaho to New Mexico, initiatives aim to rejuvenate waterways and habitats for a sustainable environmental future. 🐟Prioritizing anadromous fish habitats, projects focus on removing barriers, enhancing water quality, and fostering optimal conditions. 🤝Collaborative efforts involve government bodies, tribal groups, and conservation organizations for unified and impactful solutions. 🎯Beyond specific goals, the projects collectively address broader environmental challenges, including wetland restoration and wildfire risk mitigation. 🌊Central to these endeavors is the commitment to reconnect rivers, preserve habitats, and contribute to the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. 🔗 For more details: https://lnkd.in/g7p76RGz ----------------- 👇👇👇𝑰𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒔𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕𝒔, 𝒑𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆: 🔍 Follow me & the hashtag hashtag #20MinRule 🔔 Click the bell icon on my profile 👍 Like 🔁 Repost --------------- #WaterConservation #EcosystemRestoration #EnvironmentalProjects #BidenAdministration #SustainableFuture #AquaticEcosystems #CollaborationForChange #NatureRevitalization #EnvironmentalImpact #WaterManagement #ConservationEfforts #WildlifeHabitat #PreservingRivers #BureauOfReclamation #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalHealth #CommunityEngagement #BiodiversityRevival #SustainableWaterResources #InvestingInAmerica #EnvironmentalStewardship #WaterProjects #WatershedManagement #EcologicalRenewal #GovernmentInitiatives #ProtectingNature #ClimateResilience #EnvironmentalLeadership #CommunityInvolvement #AquaticHabitatRestoration

The protection of the Wekiva River is a critical component of the FDOT’s latest project. This initiative underscores the importance of balancing infrastructure development with environmental conservation. Discover how this project aims to safeguard one of Florida’s natural treasures. #WekivaRiver #EnvironmentalProtection #Infrastructure https://bit.ly/461uo3u