Southeast and Gulf Coast Regional Office
Colleen Teubner, JD
phone: (202) 464-2293
cteubner@peer.org
Barry Sulkin, Technical Consultant
4443 Pecan Valley Road
Nashville, TN 37218
phone: (615) 255-2079
sulkin@hughes.net
From the southern Appalachian mountains to the beautiful sandy beaches of Florida, to the rich, diverse ecosystems of the Gulf Coast, the Southeast and Gulf Coast of the United States supports a wide range of industries, agriculture, fisheries, tourism, and recreation. But the fragile environment in these areas is weakening and under attack, an attack often advanced by government agencies and powerful interest groups. Our challenge is to right the ship to ensure that the area’s precious ecosystems are preserved for generations to come.
One area of focus for PEER is in Florida, where we are actively engaged in helping state and local employees do their jobs. These employees often find that they are marginalized, even blackballed, if they try to abide by the very laws that they are sworn to uphold. PEER’s work is focused on protecting these employees and shining a light on the government’s failure to do its job.
Unfortunately, an eroding of environmental and public health protections is common not only in Florida, but throughout the entire region, and at all levels of government. If these trends are not changed, the destruction of the region’s fragile environment and its natural resources- will continue, ultimately causing a continued die-off of wildlife, more polluted waters, poorer health outcomes, and a weaker economy.
Florida Pollution Enforcement Reports
Since 2004, PEER has examined Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) files to assess pollution enforcement. In a state heavily reliant on its natural beauty for tourism revenue, it has fallen far short of acceptable pollution levels primarily in its waterways and wastewater management.
Despite pledges to strengthen pollution enforcement, Florida state records show declines in virtually all meaningful measures. Notably, violations and significant noncompliance with pollution limits are growing while major enforcement actions are declining.
NEWS FROM THE SOUTHEAST AND GULF COAST
Florida Eco-Enforcement Slides from Already Low Perch
DeSantis Anti-Pollution Enforcement Efforts Continue Multi-Year Decline
REPORT | 2023 Florida Enforcement Report
Florida’s environmental enforcement actions are well below historical averages and have declined significantly in the last three years of the DeSantis administration
Park Service Archeological Scandal Sparks No Reforms
Trade in Native American Skulls and Funerary Pots Did Not Trigger Charges
Op-Ed | Why is EPA Considering Lethal Pesticides for Florida Citrus?
Originally published in and reprinted with permission of The Orlando Sentinel. Why is EPA Considering Lethal Pesticides for Florida Citrus? Few pesticides have raised more red flags across the world in recent years than an insecticide called aldicarb. This neurotoxic...
Lawsuit Probes Oak Ridge Clean Water Waiver
What Did EPA Administrator Regan Know When He Overruled His Experts?
REPORT | 2022 Florida Enforcement Report
Florida’s environmental enforcement actions are well below historical averages and have declined significantly in the last two years of the DeSantis administration
Florida Annual Eco-Enforcement Reports
Since 2004, PEER has examined Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) files to assess pollution enforcement. View the reports.
Florida’s Manatees Suffering Another Very Bad Year
Mortality Through September on Track for Second Deadliest Year on Record
REPORT | Toxic PFAS Chemicals Measured in Nashville Fertilizer – 08-09-2022 (PDF)
Executive Summary Many home gardeners buy compost or commercial soil amendments to enhance soil nutrition. But new tests reveal concerning levels of toxic per- and poly- fluoroalkyl substances(PFAS) chemicals in a popular garden fertilizer. Public Employees for...
Florida’s Waters Awash in Sewage Spills
Under DeSantis, More Inspections, More Pollution but Less Enforcement
REPORT | 2021 Florida Enforcement Report
Report on Enforcement Efforts by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection – Calendar Year 2021
Florida’s Seagrass Under Relentless Pollution Assault
Florida’s Fabled “Forgotten Coast” Beset by Torrent of Sewage Violations
2022 Begins Another Deadly Year for Manatees
High Toll in January Adds Cold Stress as Another Factor Driving Mortality
Florida Panthers – Deaths and Births by Year
Infographic: For the sixth year in a row, mortality of the highly endangered Florida panther has substantially exceeded births.
REPORT | 2020 Florida Enforcement Report
Report on Enforcement Efforts by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection – Calendar Year 2020
Florida Pollution Enforcement Fell into COVID Coma
Inspections and Eco-Compliance Tumbled in 2020 among Enforcement Gaps
Delray Deputy Utility Manager Cashiered
Troubled Florida Water Utility Faces Gauntlet of Public Health Challenges
Florida’s Clearwater Awash in Sewage Violations
More than 400 Sewage Overflows in Last Five Years; Almost No Enforcement
Record Manatee Mortality in New Year
More Than 300 Die in Six Weeks; Vast Majority Not Necropsied
PEER Requests Florida Take Immediate Action
To Stop Leaching of Toxic Chemicals into Consumer Products