Free Republic

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- The fury of four hurricanes in Florida may have spared the state's endangered manatee population from further decline. The annual report by the state Fish and Wildlife Research Institute shows deaths statewide fell to 276 in 2004 from 370 recorded in 2003. "One theory is the four hurricanes that affected the state this year means we had less boating activity," said Tom Pitchford, a biologist with the research institute. "Fewer boats on the water means fewer manatees struck." The total manatee death rate spiked in 2003 because of an aquatic phenomenon called a red tide event....

Some letters came with pictures, a photograph of a Florida waterway or a child's drawing of an endangered manatee. Some were form letters. Some were hand-written. Some used scientific evidence. Some detailed personal experiences. And to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, they all must read like a blur. The federal agency received nearly 5,700 public comments from almost every state in the union and other countries to help it decide how to protect the manatee along Florida's shores. As part of a settlement with a consortium of environmental groups, Fish and Wildlife is considering creating three protection zones, areas...

MANATEE COUNTY -- Before they begin every meeting, the five members of the School Board stand -- asking those in the audience to join them -- bow their heads and recite the Lord's Prayer. While factions may form during their meetings, the board is unanimous in its belief that prayer -- the one from the New Testament in particular -- is the way to begin their meetings. Others don't agree. Steven Rosenauer of Bradenton said he came to a School Board meeting this month full of pride for his son who was to be recognized as part of Haile Middle...

Feds Call Manatee Settlement Illegal WASHINGTON, DC, July 26, 2002 (ENS) - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) argued in court this week that a settlement reached between the agency and a coalition of environmental groups over endangered manatees last year was illegal. In January 2001, conservation groups including the Save the Manatee Club, Defenders of Wildlife, The Humane Society of the United States, and the Sierra Club, won a landmark settlement agreement compelling the USFWS to institute measures to protect manatees. This week, the USFWS called the settlement illegal, saying it "unlawfully" constrains the discretion of the...

Feds Call Manatee Settlement Illegal WASHINGTON, DC, July 26, 2002 (ENS) - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) argued in court this week that a settlement reached between the agency and a coalition of environmental groups over endangered manatees last year was illegal. In January 2001, conservation groups including the Save the Manatee Club, Defenders of Wildlife, The Humane Society of the United States, and the Sierra Club, won a landmark settlement agreement compelling the USFWS to institute measures to protect manatees. This week, the USFWS called the settlement illegal, saying it "unlawfully" constrains the discretion of the...