Following a study conducted by an independent engineering firm, and public notices and public hearings, the New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission has approved policy changes that will go into effect on May 1, 2017. The change is in the existing capacity fee policy, from category-based to a meter-based policy.
Items to be addressed include amending required buffers; amending wetland variances; establishing prohibited activities or development within buffer areas; and, amending wetland survey requirements.
FDOT convened its Project Visioning Team on January 18th to provide an update on the US 92/ISB Corridor Master Management Plan. The study is examining multiple potential lane-configuration alternatives from the Halifax River to SR A1A/Atlantic Avenue in Daytona Beach.
The jurisdiction of the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers will be examined by the Supreme Court in a lawsuit from the American Exploration & Mining Association (AEMA).
State senator Rob Bradley, a Republican from Fleming Island, has filed a bill that would provide $35 million under 2014's Amendment 1 for restoration of the St. Johns River and the Keystone Heights lake region.
Effective in Florida as of 12/14/2016, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will take on the Federal Highway Administration's environmental review responsibilities for highway projects in the state, under a proposed application and memorandum of understanding announced by the two agencies.
FDEP has prepared a draft delineation of the Priority Focus Area (PFA) for the Volusia Blue Spring and Spring Run Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP). Restoration to include all area in the BMAP area, but PFA boundary will be focus for 5-year targets.
In Fiscal Year 2010, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) initiated a coastal flood risk study for the Northeast Florida Study Area. As a result of the coastal flood risk study, FEMA determined that Flagler and Volusia Counties, along with Duval, Nassau, and St. Johns, located on the Atlantic coast, are affected by coastal flooding. FEMA determined that Clay, Lake, Marion, and Putnam Counties, which are not located on the Atlantic coast, will not be affected by coastal flooding moving up inland waterways.
On November 16, 2016, FDOT held its “I-4 Beyond the Ultimate” update at Deltona City Hall regarding I-4 east of US 17-92 to East of SR 472 in Volusia County.
On November 3, Volusia County Council approved their 2017 Legislative Agenda, which includes a request to the State for $200,000 for water quality project.