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Florida Department Of Environmental Protection News

19 Nov 2020

Derecktor Breaks Ground on New Florida Shipyard

Derecktor officials broke ground at the Port on Friday, November 13 during a small ceremony where federal, state and local dignitaries brandishing golden shovels, hard hats and face masks gathered to commemorate the historic occasion. (Photo: Steven Martine, handout via Derecktor Shipyards)

Plans to convert the century-old Port of Fort Pierce into a repair and refit facility for the global fleet of megayachts and large sailing yachts are moving full speed ahead.After a lengthy permitting and review process, Derecktor Shipyards has been granted approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners and the City of Fort Pierce to begin construction of its newest shipyard – Derecktor Ft.

20 Nov 2018

Eagle LNG Receives Draft EIS

Eagle LNG, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ferus Natural Gas Fuels, informed that the United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted the company their draft environmental impact statement (DEIS).The draft EIS puts Eagle LNG on a clear path to FID on the Jacksonville Export Project and continues Eagle LNG’s success in using small-scale LNG to supply bunkering to the marine industry and to provide small scale LNG cargoes to markets in the Caribbean.“Our customers, and potential clients, join us in being encouraged that FERC has released the DEIS ahead of schedule. It moves us considerably closer to meeting our goal of expanding clean burning, domestic, and affordable LNG supply for marine bunkering and for small-scale LNG projects in the Caribbean.

14 Apr 2016

BOEM, Jacksonville, U.S. Army Corps Ink Shore Protection Deal

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has signed an agreement with the City of Jacksonville, Fla., and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorizing them to dredge nearly 1.4 million cubic yards of sand from federal waters for periodic renourishment of the Duval County shoreline. The shore protection project, using sand from the seafloor of the federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), will restore a 10-mile stretch of coast between the St. Johns River entrance and the Duval County/St. Johns County boundary along the Atlantic Ocean. Dredging is expected to begin in the summer of 2016. “BOEM is pleased to support the City of Jacksonville with this restoration project,” said BOEM Director Abigail Ross Hopper.

09 Mar 2015

Port St. Joe to Begin Dredging

Signifying the “green light” for development of the port, a permit needed to begin dredging the Port of Port St. Joe’s federally-authorized shipping channel has been signed and certified. The Port also received a permit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allow for spoil disposal as part of the planned dredging of the port’s navigational channel to the maximum authorized depth of 37 feet. A week ago today Port Authority chairman Eugene Raffield signed the final federal permit needed to begin the dredging of the Port of Port St. Joe’s federally-authorized shipping channel. Next up, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contracts out the dredge project…

20 Jan 2015

Florida DEP Approves Port St. Joe Dredging

The Port St. Joe Port Authority has been issued a permit by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to allow for the dredging of the port’s navigational channel to the maximum authorized depth of 37 feet. “This is a huge hurdle that has been cleared. What a great opportunity that has presented itself for the Port of Port St. Joe,” said Florida House Representative, Halsey Beshears. “This will have far reaching economic effects for not only the Port St. The issuance of this permit represents a milestone towards the overall objective of getting the navigational channel dredged, the port authority said, adding that once dredged, the port will be well positioned for bulk cargo shipments, offering access to rail, the U.S. Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and state and U.S. highways.

17 Apr 2014

Canaveral Tops State List for Sand Bypass Funding

The Canaveral Harbor Inlet Sand Bypass Project has earned the top state ranking for 2014/15 inlet management funding. As a result, Port Canaveral is expected to receive $100,500 in grant funding from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) for beach renourishment. To date, Port Canaveral has spent more than $2 million on the sand bypass and related beach restoration projects, leveraging more than $2.2M in additional state funds and more than $45 million from the US Army Corps of Engineers. According to Dr. William Stronge, every $1 spent on beach projects generated almost $48 in sales tax revenue last year. "We recognize the importance of our beaches to Brevard County and the state's economy," said Port Canaveral CEO John E. Walsh.

11 Apr 2014

Sea Star Line Vessel Used in Training Exercise

Photo: Sea Star Line

On April 2, 2014, Sea Star Line’s vessel El Faro and its employees participated in a joint training exercise at North Florida shipyards. The training exercise focused on evaluating agency procedures, communication plans and training programs to assure all agencies can respond in the most efficient way to emergency events and to mitigate risks and damage. “The mock training exercise was an excellent opportunity to participate in and ensure that our local emergency agencies are prepared for emergency response events,” stated Jim Wagstaff, vice president of operations for Sea Star Line, LLC.

21 Oct 2013

Nett Technologies Complete JAXPORT Emissions Project

JAXPORT forklift, crane at work: Photo courtesy of JAXPORT

The EPA-funded JAXPORT diesel emissions reduction project completed by Nett Technologies involved the design, manufacture and installation of 19 Diesel Oxidation Catalysts (DOC) onto several large container cranes, generator, forklift and trucks owned and operated by the Jacksonville Port Authority (JAXPORT). JAXPORT is located in Jacksonville, Florida and is an independent seaport authority created by the Florida State Legislature to operate as a landlord, managing its equipment, upkeep, and the continued expansion and improvement of its port facilities.

06 Jun 2013

Shipwreck Salvors, Seafarer, Get New Work Permit

Lantana Cannon: Photo credit Seafarer

New permit is an important step in the excavation process by Seafarer Exploration Corp. of an historic shipwreck site located off Lantana Beach Florida. The permit was issued pursuant to Part IV of Chapter 373, Florida Statutes and Title 62, Florida Administrative Code from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and represents an important step in Seafarer's quest to excavate this exciting shipwreck site. Seafarer received a permit from the State of Florida for a shipwreck site located off of Lantana Beach, Florida in 2012.

06 Mar 2013

Coast Guard, Partner Agencies Work to Recover Fallen Containers

Photo: USCG

At approximately 1 p.m. Monday (March 4, 2013), the Coast Guard received a report that 22 containers fell off the 91-foot barge Atlantic Trader and into the ocean 18 miles east of Key Biscayne, Fla. Coast Guard Watchstanders at Sector Miami received notification from the Tug Spence that 22 containers on a voyage from Jacksonville, Fla., to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba fell off the barge into the water. An aircrew from Coast Guard Airstation Miami launched to the scene and initially located some of the containers floating around the Tug Spence.

04 Jan 2011

Gov-Elect Scott Names Vinyard to Run DEP

According to a report from the St. Petersburg Times, Florida Gov-elect Rick Scott selected a Jacksonville shipbuilding executive and sometime lobbyist as his top environmental regulator. Herschel Vinyard Jr., 46, director of business operation for BAE Systems Southeast Shipyards, will become the newest secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, if his appointment is confirmed by the state Senate. (Source: St. Petersburg Times)

30 Sep 2010

DEP Awards Port Everglades Emissions Reduction Grant

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) awarded a $750,000 grant to Broward County’s Port Everglades for diesel emissions reduction through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Clean Diesel Campaign. Funds will allow the port to retrofit, upgrade or replace diesel engines to reduce emissions. Broward County is also contributing $510,000 to emissions reduction projects at the port. The grant will fund the purchase and installation of diesel emissions reduction equipment for on-road and off-road equipment, replacement of old generators, forklifts, and service vehicles. Other port projects include diesel cargo handling equipment that will be retrofitted with newer emissions reduction technology…

06 May 2010

Unified Command, West Coast of Florida

In response to the possibility of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill affecting the West Coast of Florida, representatives from BP, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are meeting to plan a multi-agency response. Working together, the agencies have reviewed the area contingency plan and ensured all partners have access to, and are familiar with the plan. In meetings over the last couple days, the Coast Guard and Florida DEP have spoken with trustees from various national and state wildlife refuge areas, along with every county emergency management office on the West Coast of Florida. The agencies also met with over 30 members of non-governmental environmental organizations including Tampa Bay Watch…

12 Oct 2001

Clean Gulf 2001 Set For Mobile

Clean Gulf 2001 Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for October 23-25, 2001 in Mobile, Ala., will provide the oil and haz-mat spill industry and the marine fire and salvage industry an opportunity to discuss innovative solutions for emergency response, clean-up and environmental issues. The event will showcase comprehensive coverage of the oil and haz-mat spill industry from an offshore, coastal and inland perspective as well as marine fire and salvage. This year's 11th annual conference will be hosted and supported by several notable state and federal agencies. Key individuals from state agencies, the federal government, and private industry will be on-hand to address issues of cooperation, regulation, preparedness, prevention and response.

19 Dec 2003

Cruise Ship Engineers Indicted

Tom Sansonetti, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division and Marcos Daniel Jiménez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, announced that three senior cruise ship engineers were indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami, Florida, for their role in concealing the overboard dumping of waste oil from the SS Norway cruise ship in false log books designed to deceive the United States Coast Guard. The defendants, Chief Engineers Knut Sorboe and Peter Solemdal, Senior First Engineer Aage Lokkebraten are Norwegian nationals who were employed by Norwegian Cruise Line Limited (NCL) at the time of the offenses.

14 Jan 2004

News: Cruise Ship Engineers Indicted

Tom Sansonetti, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division and Marcos Daniel Jiménez, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, announced that three senior cruise ship engineers were indicted by a federal grand jury in Miami, Fla., for their role in concealing the overboard dumping of waste oil from the SS Norway cruise ship in false log books designed to deceive the U.S. Coast Guard. The defendants, Chief Engineers Knut Sorboe and Peter Solemdal, Senior First Engineer Aage Lokkebraten are Norwegian nationals who were employed by Norwegian Cruise Line Limited (NCL) at the time of the offenses.

23 Feb 2004

NVIC – Environmental Inspection of Foreign Vessels

The U.S. Coast Guard issued a Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) providing an addendum to its Foreign Passenger Vessel Inspection Book consisting of an environmental inspection checklist. The checklist was developed with the participation of the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and takes into consideration new regulations on cruise vessel operations in certain Alaska waters. The checklist does not change the regulations, but provides an extensive list of possible inspection items related to pollution prevention equipment, operation, plans, and records. (HK Law)

11 Oct 2004

Freight Ship Grounds Off Port Everglades

A Unified Command compromised of federal, state and vessel owner’s representatives are overseeing response operations to the grounding of the 600 foot bulk freight ship Federal Pescadores which was attempting to anchor outside Port Everglades, Fla. The Panamanian-flagged vessel was carrying cement, also has approximately 588 tons of bunker oil and 105 tons of diesel fuel onboard. Titan Maritime, LLC and its subcontractor Resolve Marine Group will focus on refloating the M/V Federal Pescadores at high tide, Sunday afternoon. Commercial salvage engineers began removing fuel oil from the vessel’s double bottom fuel tanks at approximately 11:40 a.m. today to mitigate any pollution risks prior to refloating the vessel. The fuel oil is being transferred to MSRC Barge 452.

12 Apr 2005

NOAA to Conduct Drill in Florida Keys

NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, will conduct an emergency response drill in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary April 19-21, 2005, and is asking for assistance from local residents to help ensure its success. The goal of the drill is to improve the agency’s ability to protect the environment of the Florida Keys and the public in case of a major incident. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The scenario for NOAA’s first “Safe Sanctuaries” drill involves the hypothetical grounding of the M/V Portsmith Trader, an 800-foot cargo vessel carrying 270,000 gallons of fuel, at Elbow Reef off Key Largo. In the scenario, the grounding injures coral reef habitat and submerged historical artifacts, and an oil spill threatens other resources.

18 Sep 2006

Response to Grounding of Clipper Lasco

The U. S. Coast Guard continues to coordinate the response to the grounding of the 645-ft. cargo ship Clipper Lasco just west of the designated anchorage area off Fort Lauderdale Beach, Fla. The vessel remains aground this evening as members of the unified command work to ensure that planned salvage operations do not cause further disruption to the ocean floor, are conducted as safely as possible, provide adequate resources for any contingencies that could arise and mitigate the risk of damaging the ship. Divers from Resolve Marine Group, the salvor contracted by representatives for the Clipper Lasco, surveyed the ship's hull and the ocean bottom. The survey revealed that the vessel did impact the reef and some coral.

10 Jan 2003

Tug Company to Pay Nearly $1M for Seagrass Damage

Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company of Oak Brook, Ilinois will pay nearly $1 million for damages to seagrass and other resources in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Justice Department and the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced today. The $969,000 settlement reached on behalf of NOAA and the State of Florida is the largest ever obtained for damages to seagrass in the sanctuary. The funds, combined with an earlier $618,485 settlement obtained from co-defendant Coastal Marine Towing, will help restore the injured areas and reimburse NOAA for response costs. "We are thrilled with the settlement," said Sharon Shutler, attorney for the NOAA General Counsel for Natural Resources.

31 Aug 1999

Tampa Bay Oil Spill Settlement Appears in Federal Register

A Federal Register Notice on a proposed eight million dollar settlement to fund restoration projects for natural resources damaged in a 1993 oil spill in Tampa Bay has been published. The notice appeared in the Federal Register on Feb. 18, 1999. The Department of Justice will receive comments relating to the proposed consent decree for a period of 30 days from the date of Federal Register publication. The proposed settlement was announced last month by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Justice Department, and Florida Department of Environmental Protection at a news briefing in Tampa.

02 Sep 1999

Settlement to Clear Way for Restoration Projects in Tampa Bay

The state of Florida, the federal government and several corporations have agreed to a more than $8 million settlement to fund restoration projects for natural resources damaged in a 1993 oil spill in Tampa Bay. An 11-acre degraded mangrove system will be improved, two acres of salt marsh will be replanted, and millions of dollars for other natural resource restoration work will be paid by those responsible for the oil spill, the U.S. Commerce Department's NOAA, the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and the U.S. Department of Justice said. State and federal officials worked closely with those responsible for the spill to forge a settlement under which the Bouchard Transportation Company Inc.…