35th Environmental Permitting Summer School

This course was introduced to review the implementation of the M-CORES program, which directed the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to establish 3 new “multi-use corridors of regional significance.” FDOT spent over a year conducting large task force meetings to examine these corridors and their potential impact on issues such as hurricane evacuation, congestion relief, trade and logistics, water and sewer connectivity, and to make recommendations to prepare the State for population growth into the future. The panel will discuss the findings from the 2020 task force report and the Legislature’s repeal and replacement of the M-CORES program in the 2021 legislative session.  Additionally, the Florida Department of Transportation has adopted recent significant policy changes to provide improved wildlife connectivity across its roadways.  This panel will provide important insights into the ongoing efforts to deliver transportation projects while minimizing their effects on the environment.  Don’t miss FDOT’s spectacular pictures and videos of wildlife utilizing its crossings! How did the Panther cross the road? Instructors:  Cari Roth (Moderator), Ananth Prasad, Jason Houck, David Smolker