Endangered Species Act

A U.S. district judge said Florida has violated the federal Endangered Species Act in its regulation of wastewater discharges.

It's about whether the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency improperly shifted permitting authority to Florida for wetlands projects.

Recent federal cuts impacts are being challenged by the Center for Biological Diversity in their lawsuit to protect Florida species.

The lawsuit alleges that Florida violated the Endangered Species Act because of sewage discharges that led to manatee deaths.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is blamed for sewage discharges into the Indian River Lagoon that is a key for manatees.

They want a court court to reject Florida’s request for a stay in a battle about permitting authority for projects that affect wetlands.

In 2022 the groups asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reclassify manatees from a threatened species to an endangered species.

Environmental groups argue that Florida's request for a stay would “create confusion and perpetuate violations” of the Endangered Species Act.

A judge ruled that federal officials did not follow required steps when shifting permitting authority to Florida for projects impacting wetlands

Federal wildlife officials will consider whether manatees should be classified as an endangered species, pointing to the loss of seagrass.

A sawfish sighting in early June off the coast of Cedar Key, Florida suggests the endangered species might be rebounding.

Florida Ports CEO warns that proposed changes to protect the endangered Rice's whale could harm ports including Port Tampa Bay.