Natural resources Committee

natural resources Committee Mission Statement

The FLERA Natural Resources Committee is comprised primarily of and for the benefit of local governments’ natural resources & wetland management professionals, to assist in accomplishing their missions to effectively protect and manage local natural resources. This is accomplished in three primary ways:

  1. Identify current and upcoming issues that affect local governments’ protection and management of natural resources

  2. Disseminate information to FLERA members on these topics

  3. Advocate changes beneficial to local management of natural resources

2024 Legislative Priorities

  • Natural Resources Committee SUPPORTS legislation that provides flexibility for local control of environmental protection.  FLERA opposes legislation that contains unfunded mandates or preemption of home rule authority relating to environmental regulations or programs.

  • Natural Resources Committee OPPOSES legislation that would make it more difficult for state or local agencies to protect Florida’s tree canopy, which combats urban heat island effect and mitigates wind and flood damage from extreme weather events.

  • Follow the Waters Of the US (WOTUS) if it leads to any changes to 62-340 FAC

  • Follow and proposed legislation regarding Gopher Tortoises.

Committee Contact Information

Kim Tapley, tapleyk@epchc.org
Adam Hoyles, adam.hoyles@swca.com
Beth Jackson, beth.jackson@ocfl.net
BJ Bukata, bbukata@jonesedmunds.com
Dessa Clock, clockd@epchc.org
Darryl Boudreau, darryl.boudreau@nwfwater.com
Darryl Deleeuw, ddeleeuw@martin.fl.us
Elizabeth Eastes, elizabeth.eastes@charlottecountyfl.gov
Ginger Adair, gadair@volusia.org
Jackie Jordan, jsjordan@pascocountyfl.net
Jennifer McGee, mcgeej@stlucieco.org
Joel Penn, jpenn@pascocountyfl.net
Kae Hovater, kae@ecocredmarketing.com
Katie Bowes, kbowes@drummondcarpenter.com
Lee Cook, lee@questecology.com
Lisa Spadafina, spadal@miamidade.gov
Liz Johnson, liz.johnson@ocfl.net
Mark Brown, mbrown@alachuacounty.us
Matt Posner, mjposner@ppbep.org
Myranda Parker, maparker@pascocountyfl.net
Stephan Hofstetter, shofstetter@alachuacounty.us
Michael Yustin, myustin@martin.fl.us
Tim Day, trday@co.escambia.fl.us
Jackie Perry Cahanin, cahaninj@epchc.org
Rachel King, rachel@ecological-associates.com
Sandy Walters, sandy@swcinc.net
Thomas Ries, tries@ecosphererestoration.org
Tina Powell, tina.powell@charlottecountyfl.gov
Vivienne Handy, Vivienne@questcology.com

Current Committee membership is being reviewed to ensure only FLERA Members are receiving informational correspondence and invitations to meetings.