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Document February 28, 2023

Florida Assumption of 404 Permitting: Motion for Summary Judgment

Plaintiff conservation organizations bring this action to protect our Nation’s waters and the endangered species that rely on them. During the Trump Administration, Florida worked hand in glove with developers to achieve developers’ “holy grail”: state assumption over Section 404 of the Clean Water Act — which governs dredging and filling of many sensitive wetlands — in one of the most biodiverse states in the country. Between 2017 and 2020, the State and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, worked to make this dream a reality. The Defendants’ actions, however, violated multiple federal laws and must be set aside.

Aerial view of the Big Cypress National Preserve in South Florida on October 13, 2021.
(Saul Martinez for Earthjustice)
Article January 10, 2022

We’re Defending a Rare Florida Wetland From Oil Drilling

We’re in court to force the federal government to protect some of the most important wetlands in America.

Great Egret (Ardea alba) along Sweetwater Strand in Big Cypress Preserve, Florida.
 (Ken Canning / Getty Images)
Update June 23, 2021

The Everglades Are in Danger of Oil Drilling

We’re making sure that federal and state governments keep their commitments to protect Florida’s wetlands.

A purple gallinule carefully walks on lily pads in the Everglades in Florida.
(Diana Robinson / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
case April 22, 2021

Stopping the EPA’s Rubber-stamping of Florida Wetlands’ Destruction

On behalf of our clients, Earthjustice filed suit to stop an attempt by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to allow Florida to fast-track wetlands permits for construction projects that will degrade and ruin Florida’s natural landscape, all in violation of federal environmental laws. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District…

In the News: Sun Sentinel January 15, 2021

Environmentalists challenge EPA change that allows Florida to control wetlands development

Tania Galloni, Managing Attorney, Florida Office, Earthjustice: “EPA is lowering the bar to allow a state, for the first time, to run the federal wetlands program without meeting federal standards. Developers have called this the ‘holy grail’ because it would make it easier, faster and cheaper for them to get permits for big projects with…

Document January 14, 2021

Florida Wetlands Permitting Lawsuit

Suit against EPA letting Florida assume federal wetlands permitting

Press Release January 14, 2021

Earthjustice Sues on Behalf of Conservation Groups to Stop EPA Rubber-stamping Florida Wetlands Destruction

EPA’s approval of developer-backed scheme to turn permitting over to state violates U.S. environmental laws

Female panther at the Picayune Strand State Forest in Collier County.
(Tim Donovan / Florida Fish & Wildlife)
Update January 14, 2021

The Trump Administration Tried to Sacrifice Florida’s Wetlands to Developers, But We’re Fighting Back

Quick, is anyone looking? Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just rushed a last-minute gift to Florida’s developers. The EPA wants to give the state the power to fast-track wetlands permits for construction projects that will degrade and ruin Florida’s natural landscape, all in violation of federal environmental laws. We won’t let the federal government abandon…

In the News: WLRN January 12, 2021

Opponents Say EPA Broke Rules When It Turned Over Wetlands Permitting To Florida

Tania Galloni, Managing Attorney, Florida Office, Earthjustice: “They are running so fast that they're tripping and they're taking shortcuts. And that's really sort of the bottom line. What they have done is just try to make the program effective immediately without following the process as required by law.”

Kayaking through the Everglades. Florida’s tourism and fishing industries — which contribute tens of billions of dollars to the state’s economy — would be at risk, because they depend on healthy wetland ecosystems.
(Blend Images / PBNJ Productions)
Press Release February 19, 2020

New Scheme by Florida DEP Would Weaken Wetlands Protection

Stripping environmental review is the last thing beleaguered environment needs