Judge Rejects Wetlands Permitting Shift
TALLAHASSEE — In a win for environmental groups , a U . S . district judge Thursday ruled that federal officials did not follow required steps in 2020 before shifting permitting authority to Florida for projects that affect wetlands .
Washington , D . C . -based Judge Randolph Moss , in a 97-page decision , found that actions by the U . S . Fish and Wildlife Service and the U . S . Environmental Protection Agency violated the Endangered Species
Act . Moss vacated the approval of the shift to the state .
The shift has been backed by business groups such as the Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Florida Community Developers . Supporters argued it would reduce duplicative state and federal permitting and give Florida more control .
But environmental groups Friday touted Moss ’ ruling , which involved permits for
18 DITCHMEN • FEBRUARY 2024