Governor and Cabinet Honor Secretary Castille

“I am truly grateful for this recognition from the Governor and Cabinet, and honored by the responsibility and faith entrusted to me as Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection,” said DEP Secretary Castille. “This position has been the opportunity of a lifetime, and I have been privileged to work with some of the most dedicated professionals to protect Florida’s environment, restore natural resources and preserve lands for future generations.”

Secretary Castille was recognized for her contributions to Everglades restoration through partnering with the South Florida Water Management District to accelerate eight critical Everglades restoration projects as part of the nation’s largest environmental program to restore the River of Grass.

At the direction of Governor Jeb Bush and with the support of the 2005 Legislature, Secretary Castille played a major role in overhauling Florida’s growth management laws for the first time in two decades, developing a pay-as-you-grow plan to ensure roads, schools and the water needed to support growing communities is in place. She was awarded the 2003 Conservationist of the Year Award for her leadership in spearheading the plan to provide additional protection for the Wekiva River Basin, resulting in the 2004 Wekiva Parkway and Protection Act, a national model for balancing economic growth with environmental protection.

After the devastation of the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, a statewide energy plan was championed by Secretary Colleen Castille, leading to the 2006 Florida Energy Act, a four year, $100 million plan to reduce Florida’s dependence on imported oil, spurring the development of alternative energy technologies.

Under her leadership and with the approval of the Florida Cabinet, Secretary Castille brought to near completion a natural land corridor from Lake Okeechobee to the Gulf of Mexico, leading Florida’s effort in the acquisition of the 74,000 acre Babcock Ranch, one of the largest land acquisitions in Florida’s conservation history.

As Secretary of DEP, Ms. Castille oversees Florida’s environmental regulatory and law enforcement programs, the acquisition and management of public lands, including Florida’s award-winning state parks, and the development and regulation of Florida’s water resources through the state’s water management districts.

Before this appointment, Ms. Castille served as Secretary of the Florida Department of Community Affairs where she supervised community growth, environmental assessment, disaster planning, community rehabilitation, local and state comprehensive planning and affordable housing provisions. From 1999 to 2003, Ms. Castille was the chief cabinet aide for Governor Bush, before which she served as chief cabinet aide for Education Commissioner Frank Brogan and was instrumental in the passage of education reforms used to build the Bush-Brogan A+ Plan.

To see the Cabinet resolution, visit http://www.dep.state.fl.us/secretary/events/resolution2.pdf.