

Jerry Phillips, JD, Director
P.O. Box 14463
Tallahassee, FL 32317
phone: (850) 877-8097
jphillips@peer.org/flpeer@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.
NEWS FROM FLORIDA
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.
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
Florida Issues Drinking Water Safety Citations
Delray Plagued by Persistent Contamination with Partially Treated Sewage
Big Cypress ORV Plan a Travesty: Former Superintendent
Park Service Shirking Wilderness, Wildlife, and Conservation Responsibilities
Statement | In Praise of COVID Whistleblower Rebekah Jones
Rebekah Jones exposed wrongdoing and abuse of power in Florida during the COVID pandemic to save lives and make government more accountable.
Alarming PFAS Levels in Delray Beach Drinking Water
Toxic “Forever Chemicals” May be Accumulating in Drinking Water Aquifer
Florida Annual Eco-Enforcement Reports
Since 2004, PEER has examined Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) files to assess pollution enforcement. View the reports.
Toxic PFAS Taints Delray And Boynton Beach
Florida Needs to Develop Monitoring Program and Safety Standards
2019 – Florida Enforcement Report (PDF)
DESCRIPTION: Report on Enforcement Efforts by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection - Calendar Year 2019 DATE: July 22, 2020 TAGS: Florida, Pollution, Water Pollution [pdf-embedder...
Florida Eco-Noncompliance Rises as Enforcement Wanes
Governor DeSantis’ Pollution Control Record Even Weaker Than Scott’s
Orlando Chronic Sewage Breakdowns Fester
Spills Risk COVID Exposure Yet No Abatement or Enforcement
Florida Panthers Spiral Toward Extinction
Net Loss of More than 100 Cats in Last Five Years as Births Plunge
Record Florida Manatee Boat Kills in 2019
Annual Death Toll Reaches Third Highest; Tops Five-Year Average