BROWARD/PALM BEACH NEW TIMES (JUNE 4, 2014)

A state judge yesterday overruled legal challenges to an exploratory oil well in an area of the Big Cypress Swamp watershed adjoining the habitat of the Florida Panther, near the Naples residential neighborhood of Golden Gate Estates.

The challenges to the Department of Environmental Protection’s permit for the well reflected area residents’ concerns — about chemical hazards and regulatory procedure — and environmentalists’ concern for the Florida Panther.  Administrative Law Judge D.R. Alexander held that “conflicting testimony… on these issues… has been resolved in [Texas oil company Dan A. Hughes’] favor as being the more credible and persuasive testimony.” MORE…