Environmental groups press Miami-Dade advisory board for clarity after budget shift moves permitting authority

Mariana Aziz, environmental policy specialist for Miami Waterkeeper, told the Biscayne Bay Watershed Management Advisory Board on Oct. 3 that recent budget language and a reorganization “stripped” permitting authority away from Durham and moved it to Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER).

The public commentators said the change was enacted via the county budget and that the reorganization reduced what had been a standalone regulatory office into a “policy office.” At the meeting, several speakers urged the advisory board to request a clear, public explanation from county administration about who will hold specific permitting and enforcement powers under chapter 24 and the budget ordinance.

Why it matters: The speakers said Durham historically functioned as an independent local environmental regulator that issued and enforced permits under chapter 24, managed wetlands and mangroves, and could require environmental studies and testing. They warned that if permitting and enforcement are separated across agencies without written processes and accountability, environmental protections for Biscayne Bay could suffer.

Members of Miami…