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Overview

Jeff is a very good attorney, knowledgeable and is committed to client success.

- Chambers USA 2022

Jeff is a Shareholder in the firm’s Tampa office with over 20 years of experience serving private and public sector clients throughout Florida in the areas of environmental, land development and administrative law.  Jeff represents clients before federal, state and local environmental agencies on large development-related projects and contamination remediation projects throughout Florida.

As a former managing attorney in the South Florida Water Management District’s Office of Counsel and a former senior attorney in the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Office of General Counsel, Jeff brings a unique perspective on challenges related to environmental resource and consumptive use permitting, compliance and enforcement, water quality/water supply issues, sovereign submerged lands, and power plant siting.

Areas of Concentration

  • Environmental resource permitting, compliance, enforcement and litigation
  • Consumptive use permitting, compliance, enforcement and litigation
  • Water quality/water supply
  • Administrative law, DOAH litigation
  • Protected species/habitat conservation planning
  • Wetlands regulation and permitting
  • State lands and sovereign submerged lands
  • Hazardous waste and substances/contamination remediation
  • Brownfields Redevelopment
  • Cultural resources
  • Land development
  • Land use and zoning
  • Comprehensive planning and plan amendments
  • Power plant siting
  • Petroleum regulation
  • Mitigation banking
  • Coastal regulation, permitting and litigation
  • Utilities (wastewater, reuse, potable and irrigation water)

Representative Experience

  • Represented the first and leading medical cannabis company in the state of Florida in obtaining an Environmental Resource Permit in one week from initial contact using the Suwanee River Water Management District accelerated permit program. The permit was obtained for a 1,000,000 square foot automated growing facility (the largest, known cannabis growing facility in the world), and twelve 24,000 square foot grow facilities housed on a 93-acre property in Madison County, Florida.
  • Prevailed in state administrative proceeding (Florida Division of Administrative Hearings). Collier represented All Aboard Florida in an administrative hearing challenging an Environmental Resource Permit Modification issued by the South Florida Water Management District. Following a lengthy proceeding, including a two-week hearing, the presiding Administrative Law Judge issued a Recommended Order which found for All Aboard Florida on all issues and endorsed the permit under review. The permit was for a portion of the aforementioned express passenger rail system which will soon connect the four largest urban population centers in Southern and Central Florida. The Recommended Order, which was adopted by the South Florida Water Management District in its Final Order, contains the most thorough analysis to date on the issue of whether the first element of the public interest test permits consideration of non-environmental factors and provides more predictability and clarity as to the application of the public interest criteria.
  • Represented an affordable housing developer in obtaining a brownfield area designation for an affordable housing project in the City of Tallahassee during the COVID-19 pandemic. The team coordinated an in-person and virtual community meeting that included a team of consultants and members of the public as well as two virtual public hearings to obtain the brownfield area designation. The designation allowed the developer to take advantage of both state environmental clean-up programs and financial incentives.
  • Counsel in resolving an annexation challenge and an administrative challenge to a comprehensive plan amendment for a coalition of developer clients with projects at risk due to a long-running dispute between Alachua County and the City of Gainesville. Successfully negotiated with the County and the City for a global settlement allowing clients to move forward with projects that had been stalled for over six months and which were at risk of being delayed for another year or more.

Professional & Community Involvement

  • American Bar Association
  • Association of Florida Community Developers (AFCD)
  • Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce
  • Habitat for Humanity Site Selection and Property Committees, 2005-2008
  • Hillsborough County Bar Association
  • Leadership Tallahassee Class XXXIV
  • Leadership Tampa Bay Class of 2018
  • Marine Industries Association of Palm Beach County, 2007-2011
  • Palm Beach County Bar Association, Chair, Environmental & Land Use Law Committee, 2008-2012
  • Palm Beach County Planning Congress, 2010-2013
  • Real Estate Investment Council, Inc. (REIC), Tampa Bay
  • Tampa Bay Association of Environmental Professionals
  • Tampa Bay Builders Association
  • The Florida Bar, Environmental and Land Use Section Executive Council
  • The Florida Bar’s ELULS Reporter, Co-Editor, 2010-2013
  • U.S. Green Building Council LEED AP, 2008-2011
  • Urban Land Institute, Tampa Bay
    • Leaders Council
    • Urban Plan Volunteer

Recognition

  • Chambers USA, Environment (Florida), 2021-Present
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, 2023
  • AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

Publications & Presentations

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Fall 2023
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|October 2023

Events: Overview of Regulations and Emerging Issues Affecting Imperiled Species
37th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2023

Land Development News Update, Publications: Five Important Environmental Topics You Should Know About
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2023

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Summer 2022
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2022

Events: Overview of Regulations and Emerging Issues Affecting Imperiled Species
36th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2022

Land Development News Update, Publications: USFWS to Revise Critical Habitat Rules For Manatees
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2022

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: What’s Developing | Spring 2022
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2022

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: What’s Developing | Winter 2022
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2022

Land Development News Update, Publications: Bird, Bird, Bird - Bird Is The Word!
Stearns Weaver Millers News Update|November 2021

Land Development News Update, Publications: Development Demand Drives Opportunity for Conservation of Gopher Tortoise Sites
Stearns Weaver Millers News Update|October 2021

Publications: Federal Court Puts ‘Navigable Waters Protection Rule’ In Murky Waters for Florida
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|October 2021

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Fall 2021
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2021

Land Development News Update, Publications: FWC Seeks Public Input on Beach-Nesting Birds Draft Guidelines
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2021

Events: Overview Of Regulations And Emerging Issues Affecting Imperiled Species
35th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2021

Events: Navigating The Unique Challenges Of Urban Infill Development
35th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2021

Government Affairs News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Spring 2021
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2021

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Winter 2020-2021
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2021

Land Development News Update, Publications: EPA Approves Florida's Assumption of the Clean Water Act's Section 404 Permitting
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |December 2020

Publications: Environmental Issues In Real Estate Transactions, Florida Real Property Complex Transactions
The Florida Bar Environmental & Land Use Law Treatise|November 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Fall 2020
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|October 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: New 'Navigable Waters Protection Rule' is the Controlling Law in Florida - for Now.
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2020

Events: Overview Of Regulations And Emerging Issues Affecting Imperiled Species
34th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2020

Events: Navigating The Unique Challenges Of Urban Infill Development
34th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: Tolling and Extension Benefits Available for Pandemic Emergency Declarations
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Summer 2020
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Spring 2020
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: Hillsborough County Sets Aggressive Twelve Program to Remake Development Policies - and Increase Fees
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: Replacement of Waters of the United States Rule Narrows the Reach of the Clean Water Act
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: Hillsborough County Continues Discussion on Changes in Land Use and Development Policies to Prepare for Smart and Sustainable Growth
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: Florida Supreme Court Reverses Course to Allow Personal Injury Damages for Some Environmental Claims
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: Major Land Use and Development Policies Discussions Continue in Hillsborough County
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2020

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Winter 2019-2020
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|December 2019

Government & Administrative News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: 2015 Waters of the United States Rule Repealed, with a New Rule Expected this Winter
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2019

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Fall 2019
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2019

Events: Overview Of Regulations and Emerging Issues Affecting Imperiled Species
33rd Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2019

Events: Navigating the Unique Challenges of Urban Infill Development
33rd Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2019

Land Development News Update, Publications: Important Land Development and Environmental Issues Following Florida's 2019 Legislative Session
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2019

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Summer 2019
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2019

Land Development News Update, Publications: Opportunities Ahead as Florida Prepares for Three New Tollways
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2019

Land Development News Update, Publications: What Have We Learned After Two Years of Reporting Under Florida's Public Notice of Pollution Act?
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |April 2019

Land Development News Update, Publications: EPA Provides Clarity on CWA Regulation of Groundwater - for Now
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2019

Government & Administrative News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: Permit Applicants May Need to Reevaluate Strategies Following New Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting Agency Deference
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2019

Land Development News Update, Publications: Act Now to Secure Tolling and Extension Benefits Related to Hurricanes, Algal Blooms and Red Tide Emergency Declarations
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2019

Land Development News Update, Publications: Major Water Policy Reform Ahead in Florida
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2019

Land Development News Update, Publications: Unanimous Property Owner Win as U.S. Supreme Court Limits the Reach of the Endangered Species Act
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2019

Land Development News Update, Publications: Calmer Waters Ahead? Environmental Protection Agency Proposes New
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2019

Land Development News Update, Publications: New Bipartisan Federal Law Presents Opportunities for Public-Private Partnerships
Stearns Weaver Miller New Update|November 2018

Events: Overcoming Redevelopment Obstacles for an Urban Residential Brownfields Site
Florida Brownfields Association 2018 Conference|October 2018

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Summer 2018
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2018

Ad Valorem Tax News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Land Development News Update, Publications: Upcoming Vote on Amendment Two Has Significant Tax Implications for Non-Homestead Property Owners
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|August 2018

Events: Navigating the Unique Challenges of Urban Infill Development
Florida Chamber's Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2018

Land Development News Update, Publications: Proposed Changes Would Relax Endangered Species Act Restrictions
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |July 2018

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing? | Spring 2018
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|June 2018

Land Development News Update, Publications: Important Land Development and Environmental Issues Following Florida's 2018 Legislative Session
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2018

Land Development News Update, Publications: Important Land Development and Environmental Issues Following Florida's 2018 Legislative Session
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2018

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing? | Winter 2018
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|March 2018

Land Development News Update, Publications: Opportunities for Permit Extensions Available - But Claiming Them Not Always Straightforward
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2018

Land Development News Update, Publications: A New, Narrower Take on the "Incidental Take" of Bird Species under the MBTA
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2018

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Fall 2017
Stearns Weaver Miller Update|December 2017

Land Development News Update, Publications: DOAH Recommended Order Clarifies ERP Public Interest Criteria
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update |October 2017

Land Development News Update, Publications: How Are Your Permits Affected by Hurricane Irma?
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2017

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Summer 2017
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|September 2017

Land Development News Update, Publications: State of Emergency for Tropical Storm Emily Presents Another Opportunity to Extend Permits, As Previous Opportunity Comes to a Close
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|August 2017

Events: "Issues Affecting Florida's Imperiled Wildlife" and "Coastal Construction Control Line Permitting"
Florida Chamber's 31st Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2017

Land Development News Update, Publications: Important Land Development and Environmental Issues Following Florida's 2017 Legislative Session
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2017

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Spring 2017
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2017

Land Development News Update, Publications: What's Developing | Winter 2017
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2017

Land Development News Update, Publications: Florida's New Emergency Rule Requiring Public Notification of Pollution: What You Need to Know
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|October 2016

Land Development News Update, Publications: Executive Orders Present Opportunities to Extend the Duration of Qualified Development Permits Across Florida
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|October 2016

Election & Political Law News Update, Government & Administrative News Update, Publications: Amendment 4 Could Spur Solar Energy Investment and Development in the Sunshine State
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|August 2016

Land Development News Update, Publications: Executive Orders Present Opportunities to Extend Development Permits in 36 Florida Counties
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|July 2016

Land Development News Update, Publications: U.S. Supreme Court Gives Landowners the Right to Challenge Army Corps' Jurisdictional Determinations in Court
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|June 2016

Land Development News Update, Publications: Legal Issues Raised by Climate Change, Sea Level Rise, and Coastal Resilience
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|May 2016

Land Development News Update, Publications: Important Recent Developments in the Federal Regulation of Wetlands
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|April 2016

Land Development News Update, Publications: Challenges in South Florida Coastal Permitting Projects Mount, with Statewide Implications
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|February 2016

Land Development News Update, Publications: Updates to Joint Coastal Permit Rules Provide Expedited Review and Longer Permit Duration
Stearns Weaver Miller News Update|January 2016

Events: Emerging Issues Affecting Conservation of Florida’s Imperiled Wildlife Species
Florida Chamber’s Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2015

Events: The Migratory Bird Treaty Act
University of Florida Levin College of Law 19th Annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference |February 2013

Events: Zoning and Land Use in Florida: Challenges for Property Owners and Real Estate Professionals
Institute of Real Estate Management|October 2011

Events: Liabilities and Causes of Action Associated with Offshore Oil Spills: The Future of Offshore Drilling after Deepwater Horizon
Florida Bar’s Environmental & Land Use Section Annual Update|August 2011

Events: Science Based Solutions to Permitting and Mitigating in the Coastal Marine Environment
Florida Chamber’s Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2011

Events: Green Building Strategies & Certification Programs
Florida Chamber’s Growth Management, Energy, Climate Change & the Environment Short Course|February 2010

Events: Navigating the Course for Successful Corps Appeals
Florida Chamber’s Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2007

Publications: Chapter 163 Development Agreements: A Quasi-Permitting Process for a Negotiated Solution to Land Development Issues
Land Use Law|September 2006

Events: Chapter 163 Development Agreements
CLE International’s Land Use Law Seminar|September 2006

Events: Federal Wetlands Permitting
Florida Chamber’s Growth Management & Environmental Permitting Short Course|February 2006

Events: Innovative Site Remediation
Florida Chamber’s Environmental Permitting Summer School|July 2005

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