Wetlands

The ruling upheld a previous judge's ruling that said the federal government giving control over building in Florida's wetlands to the state could imperil endangered species like the Florida panther.

Environmentalists want to permanently open a dam built for a canal that was supposed to cut through the middle of Florida from the Atlantic to the Gulf. The canal project was dropped more than half a century ago because of environmental concerns, but the dam was built and now some people want it removed or opened.

The measure has drawn backlash from local governments and advocacy groups, including 1000 Friends of Florida, which argue the law undermines home rule and prevents communities from strengthening wetlands protections among other issues.

"Alligator Alcatraz." Guns. Social media. Legal battles about those and myriad other issues remain unresolved heading into 2026. Here are 10 big legal issues to watch for.

Manatee officials say that SB 180 has hamstrung them when it comes to protecting the county's natural resources.

County commissioners had wanted to reinstate tougher rules on building near wetlands that had been rescinded by a previous board. But threats from the state caused them to back down.

Each project is different, but one Polk County site offers a window into the challenging but rewarding process of restoring damaged land.

A new state law aims to help developers fill environmental requirements faster, something critics say could throw the landscape out of balance.

The Se7en Wetlands, a refuge for Florida nature-lovers, opens a new trailhead Friday.

The bills would allow developers to buy credits for wetlands mitigation far from areas impacted and long before restoration is achieved.

The groundwater permits don’t have a quantity or acreage cap, so it’s difficult to estimate how much water they’ll withdraw from the aquifer.

They include children's access to social media and lawsuits filed by college students who say they should receive refunds for money they paid while campuses were shut down due to COVID-19.