The Public Trust Environmental Legal Institute Of Florida

Programs: The primary focus of the Public Trust is the zealous protection of the city of Jacksonville's preservation project and other federal and state preserved lands and waters. Approximately 80% of the institute's total time is allocated to the protection and preservation of the environment within the public trust. Additionally, the institute promotes education regarding the public trust concept to political leaders, government officials, and citizens through activities such as speaking engagements and also writing articles and letters. The institute also promotes the use and enjoyment of land and waters within the public trust. During 2005 and 2006, the institute organized itself and got involved in fostering the marsh preservation society, in coordination with the city of Atlantic Beach; a group organized by citizens supporting the protection and acquisition of lands in the intracoastal marsh, in 2006 particularly respecting the Buckman Tract and Johnston Island in San Pablo Creek, a tributary of the St. Johns River. To address potential impacts by other development proposals, legal action was organized versus two condo and marina proposals that threatened the marsh that each resulted in agreement to certain plans that offered substantially reduced environmental impacts. Further, the institute raised a lawsuit against the city of Jacksonville and a land developer to address environmental problems presented by a development proposal for part of Black Hammock Island, in the midst of the Timucuan National Preserve. Through the institute's efforts and settlement among the parties, substantial protections for the environment were effected and commitments to support community understanding of environmental values in the affected area were secured. Projects were being organized during the period that were to lead in 2007 and beyond to efforts to improve public appreciation for the values of and access to the marsh and preserved lands, including a communications plan promoting a "blueways" paddle sport access guide to preserved areas, promotion of attention to mitigating mercury discharges by power plants in the vicinity of preserved lands in the Jacksonville vicinity and activity in support of a Clean Water Act enforcement project. Current year activities included designing, producing and distributing over 4000 laminated paddling guides to the public involving partnerships with cities of Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach as well as local outfitters. We also initiated Clean Water Act litigation against local utilities resulting in a settlement. We additionally drafted and submitted amicus curiae briefs in favor of environmental organizations lawsuits throughout Florida.