Foundation for Florida Environmental Protection

Final Opportunity to Stop SB 354/HB 299 — Protect Florida’s Rural Communities Don’t Be Misled by Last-Minute Amendments — The Presumption Still Favors Developers, Not Local Communities

“This is a true David vs. Goliath victory,” Katrina Shadix, executive director of the nonprofit Bear Warriors United, wrote Saturday in a prepared statement. “We fought for the manatees — and we won.”

"We need a moon shot for the lagoon," said Lesley Blackner, an attorney who represents Bear Warriors United in its suit against the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). "Stretching it out for 30 years isn't going to do it. Throwing clams in the water isn't going to do it. Planting seagrass is not going to do it. Dredging is not going to do it."

What will 'do it,' Blacker added, is getting a better handle on pollution and development. "How does Brevard County keep a straight face and say that things are getting better?" she said.

Bear Warrior's suit initially sought the following from the court, which could shed light on what the group might ask for next from the judge:

■An injunction requiring DEP to "permanently cease its authorization and permitting of the discharge of nitrogen from septic tanks and wastewater plants" into the northern lagoon;

■An order requiring DEP to "provide medical monitoring and veterinarian care together with proper nutritional forage to all manatees in the northern lagoon until sufficient seagrass can sustain manatees there;

■Orders enjoining DEP from issuing approvals for septic tanks or sewer plant hookups for new construction within the northern lagoon watershed;

■Declare that DEP has “incidentally taken” manatees in the northern lagoon within the meaning of the Endangered Species Act.

Environmental group wins landmark manatee protection case forcing state to scrutinize Brevard sewage A wildlife advocacy group has won a landmark manatee protection case, forcing Florida to scrutinize sewage problems in the northern Indian River Lagoon