Florida Environment Agency Loses Bid to Toss Suit Over Manatees

Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection must continue to defend a suit alleging the agency has failed to protect manatees from sewage discharge in the Indian River Lagoon after a federal judge in the state refused to dismiss the case.

Bear Warriors United’s complaint says the agency isn’t regulating a sewage treatment disposal system that harms the species, and these claims have a traceable connection to FDEPA’s conduct despite other causes leading to the waterpollution, the US District Court for the Middle District of Florida ruled Wednesday.

The court “can easily conclude” that if it were to side with the conservation ...