On Feb. 15, a federal judge in Washington ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) erred when it transferred authority for the wetland permitting program to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Environmental groups that won the ruling cheered, while Florida developers and the DEP were left wondering what would happen next. Some residential projects seeking final permitting are on hold, as are those in the planning stages. Attorneys representing environmental, real estate and local government interests should review how future development projects may be altered or shelved.

State Assumes Permitting Process