Green Initiatives
The state of Florida – and the Southwest Florida region – has established a number of important initiatives that are designed to help maintain our quality of place. Aimed to augment Florida’s water quality and to boast the economy by creating sustainable jobs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently allocated more than a million dollars to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. This is the second investment of EPA recovery funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in Florida. Armed with this funding, Florida is pursuing additional water quality planning activities to strengthen the environment. These grants facilitate a vast number of activities, such as setting standards, monitoring water quality, developing plans to restore polluted waters and identifying innovative ways to keep Florida’s waters clean.
Sustainable Initiatives
Sustainable Initiatives are voluntary, non-regulatory programs within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that assist Florida industry and citizens in protecting Florida’s environment.
Some of Florida’s Sustainable Initiatives include the Clean Marina Program, the Florida Green Lodging Program and the Florida Pollution Prevention Program. The Sustainable Initiatives programs offer a variety of services, including onsite assessments, consultations, speakers and workshops – all at no cost to organizations. In addition, recognition of successful commitment to the environment is offered through the Florida Green Lodging Program and the Clean Marina Program. The goal of the Sustainable Initiatives programs is to meet the needs of the present population without compromising the ability of future populations to meet its needs.
The Clean Vessel Act (CVA) of 1992 was signed into law to reduce pollution from vessel sewage discharges, prohibiting the discharge of raw sewage into fresh water or within coastal salt-water limits. The act established a federal grant program administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which to date has awarded nearly $150 million for states to install thousands of sewage pumpout stations. The program, housed within DEP’s Office of Sustainable Initiatives, provides grants for construction and installation of sewage pumpout facilities and floating restrooms at marinas, purchase of pumpout boats and educational programs for boaters.
The Florida Clean Marina Programs are designed to bring awareness to marine facilities and boaters regarding environmentally friendly practices intended to protect and preserve Florida’s precious natural environment. Marinas, boatyards and marine retailers receive “clean” designations by demonstrating a commitment to prescribed Best Management Practices.
The Florida Green Lodging Program was established in 2004 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) with the intent of recognizing and rewarding environmentally conscientious lodging facilities in the state. Through this rapidly growing program DEP encourages the lodging industry to conserve and protect Florida’s natural resources. The Florida Green Lodging Program is unique in that it covers an all-inclusive list of environmental initiatives that are specific to protecting and preserving Florida’s environment.
To find out more about Southwest Florida, call us toll free 877-294-9866 or contact us at info@abrighterplace.com today.