Article written  by Daniel Moore and Chris Pratt Paula Noblitt Paula Noblitt came to the EPC in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology and 15 years of seasoned Industrial Wastewater work for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). She began her 20 years of dedicated service with the Agency as an Industrial Wastewater Engineering Specialist and quickly worked her way up to the Water Division's Compliance and Enforcement Senior Environmental Manager/Assistant Director position.   The majority of  the Water Division's complaints are conducted by compliance staff and during her management over 3,200 complaints were investigated and about 100 enforcement actions were initiated,   resulting in the collection of nearly $500,000 in penalties. It is important to note that administrative penalties obtained through enforcement for the necessary correction of pollution violations are credited to the Agency's Pollution Recovery Fund (PRF)...

Article written by Collin Cruz The Agency hosted its first-ever EPC Expo, held at the Roger P. Stewart Center, for approximately one-hundred students and staff from Terrace Community Middle School . The EPC Expo was held following an Arbor Day tree planting ceremony at their school.  EPC Executive Director Janet Lorton, Terrace Community Middle School Principal Tahvia Shaw, students, and EPC Staff participated in a tree-planting ceremony in front of the school. The Expo focused on how STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) relates to environmental protection. Engineers and scientists from the Air, Wetlands, Waste, and Water Divisions demonstrated technical engineering concepts and tools that EPC staff uses daily.   The Air Division display consisted of two types of functioning air pollution control devices (baghouse and wet scrubber) and various air monitoring equipment. Students learned how local facilities obtain air permits, how the EPC determi...

Article written by Dessa Clock Waterfront property owners worry about protecting their property from erosion, especially those whose properties experience detrimental wave action from boats and storms. For some, seawalls and bulkheads are the first methods that come to mind for controlling erosion. However, there are more natural, cost-effective, aesthetic, and long-term solutions to achieving shoreline stabilization called living shorelines. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)  defines living shorelines as "a management practice that provides erosion control benefits; protects, restores, or enhances natural shoreline habitat; and maintains ecological processes through the strategic placement of plants, stone, sand fill, and other structural organic materials (e.g. - biologs, oyster reefs, etc.)." In some instances, traditional shoreline hardening methods like bulkheads and seawalls may have the opposite result and increase erosion instead. Wave energy ...

Article written by Gerry Javier North American Hazardous Materials Management Association  (NAHMMA) was established in 1993. The association was created for "professionals working to reduce and manage household and business-generated hazardous waste. A volunteer-run, non-profit organization, NAHMMA is committed to pollution prevention, product stewardship, and the safe and effective handling of hazardous materials from households and businesses. NAHMMA supports its members with exclusive training opportunities, relevant industry news, and access to a diverse and experienced nationwide network of people involved in the hazardous waste management industry." There are currently ten NAHMMA chapters.  Membership consists of representatives from government, private, and non-profit organizations.   Chapters offer networking resources, professional development, and other services which benefit members.  EPC is a proud charter member of the Florida Chapter, the largest in NA...