Environmental regulations and the agency that implements them in Florida went through some big changes last week, and environmental groups have said they weren’t good changes.
Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill last week that relaxes a slew of environmental regulations.
Environmental groups around the state fiercely opposed the bill as it made its way through the state Legislature.
The new law speeds up the permitting process for natural gas pipelines, stops cities from asking an applicant more than three times for additional information when they’re seeking a development permit, among other things.
Eric Draper, who works with Florida’s Audubon Society, said this is a step back for the environment.
“Every year, during the legislative session we face an onslaught of proposals to reduce environmental protection,” Draper said. “And that’s what happened with this bill that the governor signed into law—House Bill 999.”
The bill was sponsored by State Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, who did not return requests for comment.
In the same week the governor signed this bill, Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the agency in charge of implementing regulations, went through another round of layoffs.
DEP attorneys Christopher Byrd and Kelly Russel were fired last month and two other attorneys resigned.
Fifty-eight DEP employees were laid-off just last December.
Draper said these cuts also make it harder for the state to protect the environment.
