Since our last CLE Update the Committee has met twice, June 21, 2001 in Orlando and August 25, 2001 in Amelia Island which was held in conjunction with the Annual Update.  In both meetings we discussed and planned our upcoming programs.

     I would like to extend my thanks to the outgoing Vice-Chairs for CLE Melissa Gross-Arnold and Susan Trevarthen who worked very hard throughout the year to keep our programs on track and to organize the Annual Update.  My incoming Vice-Chairs for CLE this year are Jim Porter and Robert Fingar who will carry on the organizational effort for the Annual Update for 2002 as well as the constant management of our seminars and workshops.

Upcoming Meetings

     Our next CLE meeting will be held November 16, 2001 at 11:00am in conjunction with the Executive Council meeting that day in Tallahassee.  Please feel free to come and participate, newcomers are always welcome.  Contact me for further information on meeting times, dates and places.

Upcoming Programs

     Our next CLE programs include a Boating Law Conference for early 2002 on the west coast of Florida, the Annual Public Interest Conference scheduled for February 14-16, 2002 in Gainesville and a Wetlands seminar scheduled for April 5, 2002 in Orlando.  Mark your calendars now for these great programs.  Please keep an eye out for the agendas and sign up information for these programs which will be circulated closer to the program date.  You will also able to sign up for these programs directly via the web at our Section’s website www.eluls.org closer to the program date please check it frequently for sign up information and topics.

     If you have any interest in participating in our CLE programs or if you have ideas for future programs please contact me at Mdiffenderfer@llw-law.com or by phone at (561) 640-0820 or come to a meeting.

Past Programs

     The Section’s Annual Update in Amelia Island featured as our guest speaker David Struhs, the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, and general counsels and agency representatives from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Department of Community Affairs.  In addition, a number of updates on various environmental and land use topics were presented as well as major panel presentations from agencies, industry and the environmental community on Endangered Species Litigation and on Making Government Decisions Based on Limited Scientific Information – The Case Study of Aquifer, Storage and Recovery.  This seminar qualified for 11 CLE credits including 1 Ethics credit.  Our Annual Update gathered more than 200 registrants and speakers for three days in the beautiful Amelia Island Plantation Resort.  Next year’s Annual Update promises to be just as exciting please mark your calendars now for August 22-24, 2002 as it will again be held at the beautiful Amelia Island Plantation Resort.

     In conjunction with the Annual Update a very timely and informative program on Ethics for Environmental and Land Use Law consultants was held by the Affiliates Committee for our Section.  This seminar was very heavily attended and opened the Update’s programs.  The seminar qualified participants for a total of 3.5 ethics credits.

      Both of these programs were taped and the materials and audiotapes are available from the Florida Bar.  So if you were unable to attend these great programs the information for ordering audiotapes and course material is available on the Bar’s website at www.flabar.org or by calling 850-561-5600 x 6661.

      It takes a great amount of energy and hard work to organize these programs for the Section and we always seek to address your comments.  The programs could not be done without the immense dedication of the co-chairs that sign up to put the programs together, our Section Administrator Jackie Werndli and the ELULS CLE Committee co-chairs Jim Porter and Robert Fingar.  Please provide us with your input and thoughts as the year progresses.  We always need more help and like great ideas!