“Invasive Species, An Exotic Problem”

Ever wondered what it would feel like to live exotically, surrounded by unusual plants and animals?  Most everyone would answer yes but never think twice about the consequences in maintaining and sustaining an exotic species.  This is where it becomes a problem and that the exotic species you once thought was so different and unique, transforms into what is called an invasive species.  An invasive species is “a non-native species whose introduction does, or is likely to cause, economic or environmental harm or harm to human, animal, or plant health” (Executive Order 13112, 1999).  Invasive species displays rapid growth and spread, allowing it to establish over large areas in sometimes a hasty manner.  They are free from the complex arrangement of natural controls, including herbivores, parasites, and diseases, that are present on their native lands.  Some invasive species provide a high social, environmental and economic concern, like the giant Burmese pythons that have severely crippled Florida’s Everglades, while some species may have only a modest impact on the environment, like the nutria, a large rodent from South America who has presently made its way into the lowlands of Louisiana.  Their presence has been made well known throughout the country.  The National Park Service of the United States has reported that over 6,500 non-native invasive species have been documented on park lands. 

One of the leading contributions to the development of an invasive species is unruly pet ownership.  Owners of these exotic creatures tend to underestimate the care and maintenance required and then so release them into the wild or let them run rampant.  Conscious control and maintenance would help to prevent an outbreak of an invasive species.  There are other ways you can help as well such as: checking boat trailers, boat hulls and propellers; rinsing and removing aquatic plants or other creatures such as snails; refraining from dumping aquarium contents in lakes, channels or other water bodies; replacing invasive and other non-native plants in your yard with native species; making sure produce bought and delivered through the mail is from highly regarded companies that have their shipments inspected; and have houseplants brought into the state inspected for potential pests.  Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. You may think that just one exotic plant or one animal won’t hurt anything, but in reality, the damage from just one of these species entering your local environment could tarnish the ecosystem forever.

-Adam Gruszcynski, Legal Intern

Look at the Apalachicola River

Formed by the confluence of the Flint and Chattahoochee rivers, and drawing on around 20,000 square miles of watershed in from the tri-state area, the Apalachicola River supports over 1,500 native plants and animals, and the river system is recognized as one of six biodiversity hotspots in America. Unfortunately, this important and impressive river is under threat from several sources. In addition ongoing problems with decreasing water flow due to increased water drawing upstream, attention is not being turned to an old power plant in Sneads that seems to be polluting the waters.

The Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, Waterkeeper Alliance, and Apalachicola Riverkeeper are now taking action to protect the river from a 40-acre coal ash dump at Gulf Power Company’s Scholz Generating Plant. Coal ash is the toxic byproduct of coal burnt in power plants, and it includes heavy metals, neurotoxins and carcinogens such as cadmium, arsenic, aluminum, lead, beryllium and mercury. These dangerous chemicals can cause cancer as well as developmental and reproductive disorders, and if not properly handled these chemicals can penetrate and poison drinking water sources. And it seems that coal ash deposit at the Scholz Plant, near Sneads, Florida, is not being handled properly. There, millions of gallons of coal ash sludge generated over the years have been dumped into unlined pits, and now the pits are leaching chemicals into the uppermost reaches of the Apalachicola River,

While the entire river region is beautiful, many areas of special environmental significance abut the river along its 107 mile southward course through the panhandle and into the Gulf of Mexico. A glance at some of these valuable places can help to remind us what is at stake.

Our first stop is Torreya State Park, named for the rare Florida Torreya tree grow along the bluffs and ravines along the river banks. Colloquially named “stinking cedars,” because they smell strongly when cut or bruised, Torreya trees were cut and put to work for a variety of uses by early settlers. Today, with only about 200 remaining in the world, the Torreya is one of the nation’s most endangered trees. Exciting bluffs, ravines, and steepheads, carved out of the relatively high topography in the northern panhandle, range throughout the upper Apalachicola area, including Torreya State Park and the Nature Conservancy’s Apalachicola Bluffs.

The Apalachicola National Forest encompasses nearly six hundred thousand acres of botanically diverse Floridian goodness.  It is home to endangered animals such as the gray bat, rec-cockaded woodpecker, and wood stork, in addition to several threatened species of plants and animals.

Just to the south is Tate’s Hell State Forest, named after a legendarily unfortunate man who set off into the forest one day and stumbled out near Carabelle a week later saying he’d been through hell. Despite the name, the Forest is a haven for wildlife and flora such as Bald Eagles, Gopher Tortoises, American Black Bears, and several rare plant species, including white birds-in-a-nest.

Finally, the bay area and the coastal wetlands host incredible biodiversity, are immensely beautiful and offer important environmental services such as storm surge protection and provision of nutrients and breeding grounds for the marine life in the Apalachicola Bay. The coastal areas where the river meets the bay also provide a habitat for the vast swaths of oyster beds vital to local and state economies.

-Amanda Hudson, Legal Intern

The Importance of Garden Clubs

Garden Clubs have been a very important aspect of our communities since their emergence in the late 1800’s. Garden clubs provide many positive contributions to their communities in which they reside. They effectively address current environmental issues such as climate change and other environmental concerns. Some of the projects that garden club members take part in include: aiding in the protection and conservation of natural resources, promoting civic beautification and encouraging the improvement of roadsides and parks, encouraging the establishment and maintenance of botanical gardening, advancing the study of gardening and cooperating with other organizations furthering the interest of horticulture, conservation and environmental protection and beautification. Today’s Garden Clubs are globally focused but emphasize the importance of supporting local gardening. Additionally, some of the local projects that Garden club members frequently take on include: park and vacant lot rehabilitations, community gardening, recycling and pollution control efforts as well as local, historic-site preservation.

Garden clubs all over the country join together at both the state and national levels to form strong networks for sharing ideas and advancing common interests in order to achieve mutual goals. Garden club members have a powerful voice that can be heard from coast-to-coast and used to help further each of their community goals. Further, many garden clubs provide educational program for children, teens and young adults in their communities. For example, these clubs often provide youth gardening and school garden projects. These clubs often offer scholarships to the youth in their community for high school students who create outstanding civic projects in such areas as the environment, conservation, landscape, horticulture, recycling or gardening therapy. These Garden Clubs have bestowed many important contributions to their local communities for many years and remain an important aspect in furthering national as well as state and local environmental issues.

-Courtney Staci, Legal Intern

E-Cycling

The growing rate of technology in our society today has produced mass amounts of pollution from the old, discarded products that people no longer want. This kind of waste can cause massive amounts of pollution and can be very unhealthy for the environment as well as a health hazard to all of us. There are millions of electronics that we throw away everyday because a new and better piece of technology comes out - so what are we suppose to do with these old devices? Some of these devices include computers, television sets, printers and mobile phones.  Often times these discarded products are dumped into so-called “third world” societies.  When these products are discarded into developing countries they emit hazardous chemicals such as lead, mercury, heavy metals and other toxic substances. Not only are these chemicals released into the environment but they also harm the workers that have to handle the discarded products.

            Many of us do not realize the harm that this type of waste produces when we’re on our way to get the newest edition of our phone.  Despite our conscious efforts to recycle other household items, most of us don’t know where else to put our old electronic devices - is it in the trash? Recycling? Or selling it to a local electronics store?  If you want to purge your old electronic devices you should engage in the practice of responsible recycling.  This type of recycling is often referred to as “ECycling.”  Ecycling can be done in a variety of ways.  Consumers now have many options to recycle or donate for reuse of their electronic devices.  In fact, many electronic retailers offer some kind of take back program or sponsor recycling events. Further, many states currently have laws on disposal and recycling of electronics and several other states are trying to pass similar laws.  To ensure that electronic recyclers follow environmentally friendly recycling practices there are programs that offer a certification by demonstrating to an accredited, independent third party that they meet available standards on responsible recycling practices.  The EPA encourages this certification and for all customers to choose these certified recyclers.  Next time you’re on your way to go wait in line for the newest, trendiest device, be sure to discard your old one at a certified, environmentally sound recycler!

-Courtney Stasi, Legal Intern

How Do You Go Green?

In our culture today it seems to be the new modern trend and cool lifestyle to “go green,” but how exactly are these self-proclaimed hipsters actually going green? Is this something that an average, everyday person can accomplish or is it something that only new age, environmental hippie can achieve?  As a busy student with limited funds, I often have to be extra creative when it comes to living a green lifestyle.  Lets be honest, as much as we all would love to ride our bikes to and from work everyday many of us live in an area that does not allow us to do this, whether it’s because of the way the city is built or because of the weather conditions.  For example, many cities in Florida are spread out and make it impossible for the average commuter to be able to ride their bike to school, work or any daily activity.   An easy and possibly cheaper way to go green to get to work or school is to carpool with friends or coworkers.  It will not only help reduce your weekly gas bill, and produce less cars on the road, but it may make the morning rush hour traffic a little more bearable with a buddy to jam out with! Another small, easy and practical way to go green is try to forego buying that morning cup of coffee, usually about $4 a cup.  Instead, bring your own coffee in a reusable, travel coffee tumbler.  If making coffee is not your thing and you insist on buying that over priced cup o’ joe, bring your own cup.  Many coffee shops reduce the price if you bring you own cup. This will not only save you money in the long run but it will also reduce an extreme amount of waste. A reusable coffee mug will provide about eight years of use for the average daily coffee drinker.  It’s been documented that 68 million Styrofoam coffee cups are thrown away everyday in this country! Disposing of these coffee cups contribute directly to the creation of major greenhouse gases on top of creating a lot of unnecessary waste. One cup per day results in 23 lbs. of waste by the end of the year, just from these cups that are thrown away! One last, final and practical way to go green is a custom that has become quite popular throughout the country-bring your own reusable bag to the grocery store.  I know this is a very simple concept but it can be very easy not to do.  Sometimes I am in such a rush that I run out the door and completely forget to bring my bags with me.  However, I came up with a plan, that as soon as I’m done unpacking my groceries I put the bags right back in my car and leave them there.  I’m usually on the go anyway and usually make an impromptu trip to the grocery store on my way home from school or work and this way I’ll always have the bags with me.  You can also be creative with these types of bags and no longer have to have the plain, boring, and single color bag with the store logo on it.  You can have your own custom bag that displays your personality.  I have a reusable basket that I bring with me that has a cute design and a monogram of my initials on it. Whether it’s one of the ways listed above or another personalized way that you are “going green”, the important aspect is that you’re trying and doing it for the right reasons.  Don’t just do it because it’s a fad or the “cool-thing” to do, do it with the intention that these are going to be permanent changes that you believe will help preserve and save our planet for future generations to enjoy!

Share YOUR fun, easy, cool, or smart ways of "Going Green" on our Facebook page - search "Public Trust Law" and post!

- Courtney Stasi, Legal Intern

Indian River Lagoon: Environmental Crime Scene

The signs of Florida’s ailing waters continue to mount. You need look no further than Florida’s Indian River Lagoon to see the mounting stress on our lakes and rivers. The lagoon watershed spans 2,200 square miles and seven counties.  The lagoons waters comprise a 156-mile-long estuary where salt water from the Atlantic Ocean mixes with freshwater from the land. As a spawning and nursery ground of many fish, the lagoon acts as a cradle of the ocean. Lagoon fisheries generate some $30 million in revenues each year and provide 50% of the annual fish harvest on the eastern coast of Florida. In total, the annual economic value of the lagoon was estimated at $3.7 billion in 2007, supporting 15,000 full and part-time jobs and affording recreational opportunities to 11 million people per year. Moreover, the lagoon is one of America’s most biologically diverse estuaries, home to 700 fish species and 400 bird species.

Despite Indian River Lagoon’s unique characteristics and economic value, the lagoon has fallen ill. In spring of 2011, an algal “super-bloom” covered 130,000 acres choking off 47,000 acres of sea grasses, a reduction of about 60% of the lagoon’s total grass coverage. Sea grass is critical to the health of the lagoon as it serves as a food source for manatees and a nursery and place of refuge for fish and other marine life. In August of 2012, a brown tide bloom swelled in portions of the lagoon. The loss of sea grass from the 2011 super-bloom alone represents a loss between $235 to 470 million in commercial and recreational fisheries value. Since then, sea grass coverage in the lagoon has slowly regrown, but locals say it could be close to a decade before the lagoon will recover, if it even can.

Now, for unexplained reasons, 46 bottlenose dolphins, 111 manatees, and 300 pelicans have died in the Indian River Lagoon over the last year. Simultaneously, large numbers of fish, crabs, and oysters have also perished. (NOTE: Since January of this year, 10% of Florida’s population of 5,000 manatees have died from red tide, boat accidents, and the mystery illness in the Indian River Lagoon!) This massive loss of marine life has confused scientists. Explanations for the deaths include fertilizer-laden storm water runoff, polluted water dumped from Lake Okeechobee by the Army Corps of Engineers, climate change and effects on acidity, changes in water temperature and salt levels, and overflow from contaminated mosquito-control ditches.

Scientists, citizens, and environmental groups across the state have reason to be alarmed by the tumultuous health of the Indian River Lagoon. As an “indicator species,” the plight of the manatees is a red flag for the health of the region’s broader aquatic ecosystem. The algal super blooms and massive loss of marine life should serve as a powerful impetus for state action in implementing stronger water quality laws and restoration efforts. But the ailing health of our state’s waters continues to take a backseat in Tallahassee. Since Governor Scott entered office in 2009, the state has gutted the budgets of the water management districts by $700 million, axed $150 million from the DEP budget, and terminated a 2001 initiative commenced by former Governor Jeb Bush to protect the state’s springs.

Is there hope for the future of Florida’s waters? This past March, the EPA approved the DEP’s proposed numeric nutrient criteria limiting the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus for the majority of Florida’s waters. Some conservation groups criticize the adopted “speed limit” standards as not stringent enough to protect Florida’s waterways. Florida Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam has defended the DEP standards as among the best in the nation but not so stringent as to make every wastewater-treatment utility in the state out of compliance and needing to spend billions of dollars in compliance costs. Only time will tell whether the DEP-proposed water standards will improve the health of our natural resources. But for waterways like the Indian River Lagoon, the need for relief is immediate.

-Stephen Holmgren, Legal Extern

Making our Green Lawns "Greener"

The stereotypical green lawn of the cookie-cutter suburban home has a history that reaches back into the Middle Ages as an early symbol of wealth. By the early 1600’s, the English aristocracy had begun cultivating expansive lawns and gardens. The lawn became a status symbol, a symbol that reminded the penniless masses that the aristocracy had so much wealth that it was unnecessary for all their land be used for food production. The lawn as we know it today attained its popularity in the early 19th century when wealthy American families imported the idea from England and popularized it. By the late 19th century, affluent families left the cities for the suburbs bringing their green lawns with them. The subsequent improvements in the lawn mower and creation of the lawn-sprinkler enabled the rapid spread of lawn culture through American society. With the creation of the 40-hour work week and post-WWII housing boom, lawn culture reached its peak with ubiquitous country clubs and golf courses. Today, one study by the University of Montana estimates there are three times more acres of lawns in the U.S. than acres of irrigated corn. Studies suggest that greater amounts of chemical fertilizer and pesticides are used per acre of lawn than on an equivalent acre of cultivated farmland.

The National Wildlife Federation reports that as much as half of residential water is used for landscaping, chiefly watering lawns. Extensive irrigation practices combined with the use of as much as 70 million pounds of active pesticide ingredients produce a polluted run-off that is one of the largest sources of water pollution nationwide. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two major fertilizer nutrients used in both agricultural and non-agricultural settings. As these chemicals run off lawns onto hard-surfaced roads and ditches, the polluted run-off flows back into streams and ultimately pollutes groundwater without the benefit of soil acting as a filter. As phosphorus accumulates in rivers and streams, it creates algal blooms, turning the water green and suffocating fish and other species by depleting oxygen. An example of this pollution is the “Green Monster” in North Florida. Every so often, a massive algal bloom chokes the St. Johns River due to the wastewater effluent dumped into the river, failed septic tanks, and excessive fertilizing.

Recognizing the environmental consequences of excessive lawn irrigation, the Florida Legislature enacted the “Florida Friendly Landscaping” law (s. 373.185) in 2009 which allows homeowners to create lawns that conserve water, protect the environment, and are adaptable to local conditions. Under this statute, each water management district is tasked with creating, publicizing, and monitoring incentive programs encouraging local governments to adopt “Florida-friendly” landscape ordinances and practices. The statute even exempts homeowners from deed restrictions or covenants that would prohibit Florida-friendly landscaping on their properties. Many resources exist for homeowners to plan and cultivate “green” lawns. UF’s IFAS office publishes several helpful guides and resources toward this end. You can find them and others linked at the end of this blog post. Using these sources as a guide, you can help reduce the ecological impact of your own lawn thereby reducing the strain on and pollution of our aquifers and creating a more beautiful and natural Florida for all to enjoy.

Resources for cultivating your “Florida-friendly” lawn:
http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/FFL/index.html
http://fyn.ifas.ufl.edu/homeowner.htm http://www.floridayards.org/ http://www.epa.gov/oppfead1/Publications/catalog/greenscaping.pdf

-Stephen Holmgren, Legal Extern