Florida Specifier Podcast

In this episode, Ryan and Brett take their show on the road to record at the AIF Water Forum in Tampa where they get into the subject of the combined challenge of restoring water quantity and quality at the same time in a state that’s growing by leaps and bounds.

Amy Tracy from Dewberry joins them to lend her expertise to the subject and expands on the integration of several disciplines to achieve better results for communities and their natural resources.

She discusses her approach to problem-solving; why Floridians should care more about their water; and how Dewberry is developing and implementing their “One Water” strategy to foster sustainable and healthy communities.

To find out how Amy and her colleagues are putting the ideas behind One Water to work, go here:

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the Florida Specifier at:

Thanks for your support.

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier. Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In this episode, the Florida Specifier’s Editorial Board gets together to talk about the November/December issue of the paper. Patrick, Ryan Matthews, Jeff Littlejohn, and Brett Cyphers cover a wide array of topics including what goes into choosing a front-page article; the most recent legislative committee week and special session; their picks for favorite articles; and how important suggestions from readers can be when creating high-value and relevant content. 

Patrick talks about the theme for the issue, which is the early Legislative Session coming up in January.  To read the Specifier online (where we hope you’ll subscribe if you haven’t already), go here:

https://floridaspecifier.com

To get a look at what the Legislature is up and the bills they’ve filed so far, head here:

https://www.flsenate.gov

and here:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov

Brett’s pick of the issue is one he commissioned Mary Szafraniec and Ansley Tilley from RES to cover related to the value of Public Private Partnerships in the environmental world.

Ryan’s big pick is the front-page article by Senator Jason Brodeur.  Find that article here:

https://floridaspecifier.com

Jeff stays true to form and picks several “favorite” articles in this issue, including an update on his pick from a prior issue related to a federal designation of the Rice’s Whale. He also talks about the impending Capitol visits and other events involving the Florida Engineering Society and the American Council of Engineering Companies.  To check out their websites, follow the links here:

https://fleng.org

and here:

https://acecfl.org

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier.  Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In this episode, Ryan and Brett discuss some of the past, present, and future of water conservation in Florida and how the state has stepped up in the last two decades to enlarge the “water pie”.  Their conversation partners are Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder of Greyter Water Systems, John Bell, and renowned water law expert, James Eklund of the Sherman and Howard Law Firm.

John and James talk about how residential reuse of gray water can benefit utilities struggling with treatment costs and capacity issues; the difficulty of getting new technology to market; and how Florida has turned out to be a bright spot as it relates to encouraging new conservation tools.

To visit the website of John’s company, Greyter Water Systems, head here:

https://greyter.com

John was the host of World’s Greenest Homes on HGTV. To see how he greened his own home, go here:

https://becgreen.ca/john-bells-green-home-host-of-worlds-greenest-homes-greens-his-own-home/

To learn more about the landmark legislation from 2023, HB 1379, go here:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=78210

Ryan and Brett talk about SB 444 from 2005 and how it set the new benchmark for the promotion of alternative water supplies.  To learn more about that legislation and the Water Protection and Sustainability Program, go here:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=15502

There’s also SB 358 from the most recent legislative session (2023) that provided tax incentives for the implementation of graywater systems.  To review that, see here:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=77142

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the Florida Specifier at:

https://floridaspecifier.com/subscriber/

Thanks for your support.

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier.  Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In this episode, the full complement of the Florida Specifier Editorial Board gets together to introduce the new Editor in Chief, Patrick Gillespie, and kick off the latest issue. Patrick, Ryan Matthews, Jeff Littlejohn, and Brett Cyphers talk about changes in format to the print and online editions; predictions on the statewide stormwater rule ratification; the AIF Water Forum; upcoming episodes of the podcast; and the articles in the current issue that captured their attention the most.

Patrick and the Specifier’s technical guru, Tracy Kistler, have brought a new look and feel to the Specifier’s website.  To browse the best environmental news and information site in Florida and beyond, head here:

https://floridaspecifier.com

Brett’s pick of the issue is from the Specifier’s front page, and it covers some good news coming out of the St. Johns River Water Management District region related to Lake Apopka. You can check out that article here:

https://floridaspecifier.com/issues/v45n4/improving-water-quality-underwater-plants-and-wildlife-show-lake-apopka-is-recovering/

Ryan touches on an issue that has gained plenty of steam and attention in recent years, and he makes Jorge Caspary’s new article his pick of the issue.  Find that article here:

https://floridaspecifier.com/issues/v45n4/water-consumption-in-the-face-of-pfas/

Jeff highlights a little-known story to many involving an official designation related to the Rice’s Whale.  To learn more about how that designation can have wide impacts on Florida, go here:

https://floridaspecifier.com/issues/v45n4/rices-whale-proposed-vessel-restriction-zones/

To learn more about the AIF Water Forum, to be held November 1-2, check out this article by our friend Brewster Bevis and event website here:

https://floridaspecifier.com/issues/v45n4/floridas-water-policy-remains-center-stage/

and here:

http://www.flawaterforum.com

A huge thank you goes out to Bagels and Biscuits for giving permission to use their music for the podcast.

This episode is a production of The Florida Specifier.  Audio production and editing is by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield at Lonely Fox Studios.

A special shout out goes to our very own Jamie Sheehan and Tracy Kistler for keeping us organized and moving forward.

In the very first episode of the Florida Specifier Podcast, the Editorial Board of the newly revamped environmental news outlet gets things kicked off.  Ryan Matthews, Jeff Littlejohn, and Brett Cyphers weigh in on the genesis of the Specifier; the mechanics of putting together their first print edition; and even discuss their favorite articles from the June/July Issue.  

They also discuss the Florida Specifier’s new motto – “Read, Watch, Listen, and Learn”, and how that lights the path forward for them, and most importantly, the subscribers to the Florida Specifier.

To read and subscribe to The Florida Specifier, and get a glimpse at what’s to come, visit the website here:

Floridaspecifier.com

This episode of The Florida Specifier Podcast is brought to you by the Florida Environmental Network, host of the Environmental Permitting Summer School.  To learn more about them and Summer School, go here:

www.floridaenet.com

To reach Jeff Littlejohn, you can email him at:

[email protected]

If you’d like to reach Ryan Matthews, email him here:

[email protected]

To email Brett Cyphers, please email him here:

[email protected]

Thank you so much for listening to this podcast.  Please be sure to like and subscribe on whatever platform you use.  

This podcast was produced by Karl Sorne and Dave Barfield with Lonely Fox Studios.

Music for this podcast was provided by Bagels & Biscuits.  Look for them wherever you get your favorite music.

Special thanks go out to Jamie Sheehan, Tracy Kistler, and Emma Cyphers for making the first print edition of the Florida Specifier and this podcast happen.