SeventhannualenviRonmental, landuSeandeminentdomainSectionconFeRence
Environmental, Law Land & Use Eminent, and Domain Eminent Domain Law Section
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to be considered in the 2025 Florida legislative session.
An Agencies Panel was moderated by Andrew Zodrow, Senior Assistant Counsel, Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission( EPC) legal department, and included Elizabeth Fernandez, Deputy general Counsel for Southwest Florida Water Management District; Ashanti McBride, Assistant general Counsel for Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and Beth Le, Attorney for Hillsborough County EPC. The panelists discussed rulemaking efforts and notable updates that included— the State’ s new regulations on perpetual maintenance for stormwater management systems, how the State implements restrictive covenants for waste cleanup projects, and litigation that challenged a cumulative impact analysis for wetlands impacts.
A Local government Panel was moderated by Jennie Tarr, Vice President, Shumaker, and included city and county attorneys, including Abbye Feeley, Administrator of Development and Economic Opportunity for the City of Tampa; Susan Johnson-Velez, Senior Assistant City Attorney, City of Tampa; Adam gormly, Development Services Director, Hillsborough County; Johanna Lundgren, Senior Assistant County Attorney, Hillsborough County; and Vivian Arenas-Battles, Senior Assistant County Attorney, Hillsborough County. The panel spoke on hurricane relief efforts, including how the City of Tampa is interacting with FEMA on the regulatory parameters that apply with respect to damaged homes, updates to the City of Tampa Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code, code and procedural updates in permitting and land use practice and in environmental practice at Hillsborough County, as well as practice pointers in processing applications in Hillsborough County.
As the finale for the conference, judges from the 13th Judicial Circuit provided a discussion with attendees on professionalism, ethics, and expectations in the courtroom. This insight established a roadmap for young lawyers to begin building their courtroom relationships and reputations.
Attendees and panelists enjoyed a networking reception that featured a raffle to support Crossroads for Florida Kids. This organization provides vulnerable children in Hillsborough County needed advocacy from attorney volunteers in dependency cases. Volunteers with Crossroads for Florida Kids also serve as Attorneys ad Litem for child and
young adult clients in delinquency and criminal divisions.
Thank you to all those who attended the 7th Annual ELU Conference, donated to Crossroads for Florida Kids, and in particular, thank you for our Silver Sponsor SurvTech Solutions, whose generous funding helped make this year’ s conference possible.
Interested in attending the ELU Conference in 2026? Join the HCBA Environmental, Land Use and Eminent Domain section today to stay up-to-date on upcoming conference announcements! n
Authors: Beth Le – Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County Legal Department & Gordon J. Schiff – Gordon J. Schiff, P. A.
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