FOR IMMEDIATED RELEASE: June 18, 2014

CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

LETTER FROM DEP SECRETARY HERSCHEL T. VINYARD JR.TO DAN A. HUGHES CO. AND COLLIER RESOURCES CO.

TO: Interested Media

FROM: Tiffany Cowie, DEP Press Secretary

RE: DEP Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr.'s Letter

Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. issued a letter today to Dan A. Hughes Company and Collier Resources Company. Below is a copy of that letter. Feel free to reach out if you need further information.

June 18, 2014

Ms. Kristin Kramers                                                    

Dan A. Hughes Company                                                       

208 E Houston Street                                      

Beeville, Texas 78102                                    

Tom Jones

Collier Resources Company

2600 Golden Gate Parkway

Naples, Florida 34105

Ms. Kramers and Mr. Duncan:

This week we traveled to Collier County to hear concerns from community leaders related to energy exploration in their county. These concerns were not limited to your current operations but also included your long term energy production plans. What is apparent from our meetings is there is a lack of clarity on your activities, and we strongly believe that citizens have a right to hear about your current and proposed plans for energy operations within the county. 

Therefore, we are requiring you to hold at least three public meetings to discuss and take public comment on your plans for the Collier-Hogan site, and plans for all other current and future energy operations in Collier County. These meetings should be properly advertised and noticed in a timely manner so that every family in Collier County has the opportunity to participate if desired. We expect Dan A. Hughes and Collier Resources to conduct these meetings and to answer questions to address the concerns expressed by residents.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is committed to protecting the families of Collier County and Florida’s natural resources, and that is why we are beginning groundwater testing near the Collier-Hogan site to ensure the health and safety of county residents. We appreciate your following through with this in an expeditious manner. Please notify my office when the meetings have been scheduled. We can be reached at (850) 245-2011.

Sincerely,

Herschel T. Vinyard Jr.

Secretary

About the Florida Department of Environmental Protection

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. The Department enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally-sensitive lands for preservation. The agency also maintains a statewide system of parks, trails and aquatic preserves. To view the Department’s website log on to www.dep.state.fl.us.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/bea9df