40th Environmental Permitting Summer School

An excellent course designed to provide insight into the regulatory, planning, and water supply development programs of Florida’s five water management districts; includes a discussion of water resource development and water supply planning; adoption and implementation of MFLs; development of water reservations; Environmental Resource Permitting updates; secondary and cumulative impacts; discussion of changes to water management district budgeting and cooperative funding for water quality and water supply; and other emerging programs and issues; audience participation encouraged.

The USFWS and FWC carry out their responsibilities for the conservation and management of imperiled species through established regulations, policy, and guidance. These foundations and practices affect the way in which we conduct business while minimizing impacts from known threats, improving habitat, strengthening conservation and recovery efforts and, ultimately, improving the status of Florida’s imperiled species. Comprehensive planning and collaboration are essential to the process and agencies often work in partnership with stakeholders, landowners, and project proponents to achieve these goals. Members of the panel will review the regulations, policy, and programs in place for imperiled species while offering perspective from their role (e.g., agency, landowner, industry, consultant) in discussing creative and new strategies for addressing complex business and conservation challenges, their successes, and future implications. We hope to inspire the audience by contemplating the big picture.

Many imperiled wildlife species spend some if not all of their life cycles in Florida. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in developing effective regulations that promote the conservation and management of imperiled species and habitats in Florida. Members of this panel have been actively involved in the development and implementation of important management practices, policies, guidelines, and regulations, which continue to evolve at the state and federal level. The panel will review current regulations, discuss emerging issues affecting imperiled species and habitat, explore implications for permitting, planning, and management, and consider how those issues may influence land use and conservation practices in Florida. Bring your questions—this panel encourages panelist collaboration and audience participation!