Judge Gold's Status Hearing Today. By Geniusofdespair

Artist Rendering of Hearing (LOL)

I went to Federal Judge Alan Gold's status hearing today on EPA enforcement of the Clean Water Act. Friends of the Everglades (see Gimleteye's post below -- he is President of Friends) requested it, in my opinion, because of all the delays manufactured by the Feds and State in getting anything done.

As some of you might not know, you can't bring a camera or cell phone into a Federal Courthouse so I did one of those court sketches. Pretty lame. Anyway more went on than my sketch but I didn't listen very well. Herald Reporter Curtis Morgan was taking notes as I was busy drawing so read his article tomorrow.

What I got out of it (all filtered through my preoccupied mind):

Gold said to the EPA why delay in setting up the public hearing? It takes away the credibility of the EPA when hearings are not scheduled promptly. There appears to be a lag time that is unnecessary. He also said something like...if EPA will take more than 30 days to make a final decision, tell me why. This is not an invitation to tell me you need another 60 or 90 days. Lagging equals insecurity of commitment. He warned that besides scientific basis -- which he said should be shared by the way -- can we afford clean-up? Public should be told the truth. He cited Curtis Morgan's article in the Herald about problems that have resulted with slashing funding to the South Florida Water Management District. The State's answer: Don't believe everything you read in the newspaper. LAME, especially since the reporter was sitting in the room.

Judge Gold finished off with the bottom line. He said it was a matter of good faith. It is easy to engage in litigation tactics but his patience with that is worn.  Further he said, Friends of the Everglades is saying we have been to this dance before and it feels kind of old. He said we are all being tested here but he was committed to see the rules of the Clean Water Act implemented in this case.

It was interesting that the State, in their hyperbolic speech, mentioned by name all the groups they were cooperating with, i.e. The Tribe, agriculture, the Everglades Foundation and Audubon. But twice they neglected to mention Friends of the Everglades --- the party in the suit. I found that more than noteworthy. It did sound like a snake oil speech.