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About CPF
The CPF is now a group of hundreds and is growing daily. Members are not just from Hernando County, but from all parts of the United States and Canada. Why? Because the Withlacoochee State Forest is a treasure...a utopia, of sorts, not only for its pristine, natural beauty as a wildlife haven, but also a place to enjoy all sorts of activities, including horseback riding, hiking, and ATVing. People come from all across the US to enjoy the raw, natural beauty provided by the Withlacoochee. The World Wildlife Fund has named the Withlacoochee as "One of The Top 10 Coolest Places You've Never Been in North America"... and for a very good reason. The CPF was organized to inform people about the proposed landfill and allow their voices to be heard.
The suffering of many for the profit of a few is a nationwide epidemic. It's time that we join forces to do something about it. If we continue complaining, without action, all of the problems that we currently have will be ten-fold. We MUST stand up for what we believe: Our RIGHTS and the good ol' "American Dream"!!
We are so thankful that you have taken the time to learn about this issue, and we look forward to having you as a part of our group.
About the Attorney - John R. Thomas
Mr. Thomas not only proves himself with his excellent reputation but he continues to prove himself to us on a daily basis. Mr. Thomas has
been practicing law for many years with a focus on environmental and quality of life issues. He works on cases such as ours simply because
he cares and wants to make a difference - and that is evident in many things that he does. Mr. Thomas came HIGHLY recommended from
several reliable sources. Even after we retained him as our attorney - more people stepped up to mention his excellent reputation and work
ethic. Here is what one of our CPF group members said:
"Our local civic association and me and my husband hired John several years ago to battle Hillsborough County and the School Board over the
location of a school that violated our community plan. We think he is SUPER - can't say enough nice things about him. The legal route is
expensive, but not nearly as expensive as the loss of your property values and your way of life. We don't begrudge the doctor or dentist their fees,
nor should we begrudge the attorney his. It is the price of living in a democracy and participating in our legal system. And we watched John single-
handedly make a room filled with 8 opposing lawyers plus staff absolutely squirm - glad we had him on our side!!!!!!
Mr. Thomas has made more progress in days than we have in weeks due to his superior knowledge and contacts. While we depend on him
to advise us on how to win this battle - we are depending on you all to donate to the group in order to keep our fight strong. Please visit
our Get Involved page to learn how you can help.
For more info on John - please see his resume below:
Thomas & Associates, P.A.
John R. Thomas
Ph: 727-550-9072
Fax: 727-550-9073
233 Third Street N. Suite 102
St. Pete, FL 33701
LEGAL EXPERIENCE IN PRIVATE PRACTICE
Thomas & Associates, P.A.
President (1997 to present)
Duties: Civil and administrative practice concentrated in environmental law (wetland and water-related resources), land use and
comprehensive plan litigation, regulatory compliance, permitting, property damage, inverse condemnation, and other real property issues;
contract and tort litigation including construction litigation, and government litigation. Representative Clients past/current: City of Arcadia,
City of Venice, Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, Tierra Verde Community Association, Keystone Civic Association,
Dolphin Cay Condominium Owners Association, Lewis Environmental Services, Inc., Putnam County Environmental Council
de la Parte, Gilbert & Bales, P.A.
Associate, Senior Associate, Partner (1990-1997)
Duties: Responsible for all areas of law firm practice; concentration in environmental permitting and litigation, governmental and
administrative law. Co-counseled Pinellas County’s successful efforts to renew St. Petersburg’s wellfield water use permits. Co-counseled
invalidation of numerous Southwest Florida Water Management District rules. Successfully used rulemaking petition to move the Southwest
Florida Water Management District to implement Minimum Flows and Levels. Represented numerous municipal utilities in their Clean Water
Act compliance matters. Negotiated and drafted multi-million dollar pipeline privatization project agreements. Clients included: Pinellas
County, Pasco County, Sarasota County, DeSoto County, Manatee County, West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority, City of Sarasota,
City of Cocoa, City of Brooksville, City of Arcadia, City of Venice, Old Fort Denaud Land Trust
Fowler, White, Gillen, Boggs, Villareal & Banker, P.A.
Law Clerk (1988)
Duties: Legal research and writing regarding issues affecting local government clients and civil litigation
LEGAL EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENT
Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office
Law Clerk (1988)
Duties: Research and advise the County Attorney and Board of County Commissioners regarding infrastructure and growth management
issues.
LEGAL EDUCATION
Stetson University College of Law
St. Petersburg, Florida
J.D. Cum Laude May 1990
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut
B.A. Cum Laude May 1981
Major: Psychology
Minor: Sociology
HONORS AND ACTIVITIES
Member: Florida Bar, October 1990 (FBN: 0868043); Land Use and Environmental Law Section; Local Government/Administrative Law
Section; St. Petersburg Bar; U.S. Supreme Court (1994); U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit (1992); U.S. District Court, Middle
District of Florida (1991).
Professor: Stetson College of Law – Environmental Regulation of Water (1999).
Speaker: Florida Water Law Conference 1997 – CLE International; Florida Water Law Conference 1996 – CLE International; American Water
Works Association – Membrane Technology Conference, Reno, Nevada 1995.
Publications: “Minority Business Enterprise Programs Undergoing Change,” The Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer , January 1992,
at 20; “Liability of Utility Personnel,” Florida Water Resources Journal, December 1990, at 22.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
*2008-2009 – Lead Counsel for Putnam County Environmental Council efforts to restore and protect the Ocklawaha River
* 2007-2008 – Co-counsel in appeals relating to cumulative impacts of mining and standing to participate in environmental administrative
hearings and appeals
* 2001-2007 -- Co-counsel for water supply authority in (3) 5 - 8 week administrative proceedings regarding permits for phosphate
mining/reclamation
* 2006 – Prevailed against Department of Environmental Protection and Manatee County Port Authority in administrative litigation over
seagrass mitigation
* 2002 – Prevailed upon Manatee County Port Authority to restore and preserve 34 acres of Mangroves in Little Cockroach Bay
* 2001 - Prevailed against water management district issuance of permit for downtown re-development without adequate stormwater
treatment
* 1999-2001 – Co-counsel for St. Petersburg in utility fee litigation with St. Pete Beach and Arcadia in utility territory litigation with Florida
Water Services, Inc.
* 1996 - Prevailed on appeal to Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission to compel water management district to adopt schedule to
establish minimum flows and levels
* 1996 - Co-counsel for Pinellas County in 7 week administrative hearing on complex water resource-related impact issues relating to
simultaneous renewal of numerous wellfield water use permits representing entire St. Petersburg water supply
* 1995-1996 - Regulatory spokesman for a consortium of desalination facilities regarding needed regulatory changes for concentrate
disposal
* 1995 - Co-counsel in a 15 week hearing on the “SWUCA” rule challenge involving essentially all of the Southwest Florida Water
Management District’s water use rules and the limits on water management district authority
* 1994-Present - Special Utility and Administrative Counsel for City of Arcadia
* 1993 - Represented the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Dahl-Eimers v. Mutual of Omaha, establishing
“experimental treatment” health insurance exclusions are unenforceable as to bone marrow transplant procedures
* 1992-Present - Defend owners in proceedings regarding groundwater contamination consent orders, including landfills, hazardous waste
sites and petroleum sites
* 1991-1997 - Represented local government in water, wastewater and contamination matters
REPRESENTATIVE CASES IN RECENT DECADE
• Advocating for Quality of Life:
Tierra Verde Community Association v. City of St. Petersburg - Protecting Barrier Island Bedroom Community Against High Rise Development
Keystone Civic Association v. Hillsborough County - Protecting Equestrian Community Against Intense Commercial Development
• Protecting Natural Resources:
Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority v. FDEP and Mosaic Phosphate Company - Protecting Wetlands and Streams Against
the Ravages of Phosphate Mining
Lewis v. Manatee County Port Authority - Protecting Seagrass Habitat Against Dredging Impacts
• Demanding Sustainable Resource Use:
Pinellas County v. SWFWMD - Forcing Establishment of Environmentally Protective Minimum River Flows and Lake and Aquifer Water Levels
Putnam County Environmental Council v. SJRWMD - Protecting the Ocklawaha River Against Excessive Water Withdrawals
The CPF is now a group of hundreds and is growing daily. Members are not just from Hernando County, but from all parts of the United States and Canada. Why? Because the Withlacoochee State Forest is a treasure...a utopia, of sorts, not only for its pristine, natural beauty as a wildlife haven, but also a place to enjoy all sorts of activities, including horseback riding, hiking, and ATVing. People come from all across the US to enjoy the raw, natural beauty provided by the Withlacoochee. The World Wildlife Fund has named the Withlacoochee as "One of The Top 10 Coolest Places You've Never Been in North America"... and for a very good reason. The CPF was organized to inform people about the proposed landfill and allow their voices to be heard.
The suffering of many for the profit of a few is a nationwide epidemic. It's time that we join forces to do something about it. If we continue complaining, without action, all of the problems that we currently have will be ten-fold. We MUST stand up for what we believe: Our RIGHTS and the good ol' "American Dream"!!
We are so thankful that you have taken the time to learn about this issue, and we look forward to having you as a part of our group.
About the Attorney - John R. Thomas
Mr. Thomas not only proves himself with his excellent reputation but he continues to prove himself to us on a daily basis. Mr. Thomas has
been practicing law for many years with a focus on environmental and quality of life issues. He works on cases such as ours simply because
he cares and wants to make a difference - and that is evident in many things that he does. Mr. Thomas came HIGHLY recommended from
several reliable sources. Even after we retained him as our attorney - more people stepped up to mention his excellent reputation and work
ethic. Here is what one of our CPF group members said:
"Our local civic association and me and my husband hired John several years ago to battle Hillsborough County and the School Board over the
location of a school that violated our community plan. We think he is SUPER - can't say enough nice things about him. The legal route is
expensive, but not nearly as expensive as the loss of your property values and your way of life. We don't begrudge the doctor or dentist their fees,
nor should we begrudge the attorney his. It is the price of living in a democracy and participating in our legal system. And we watched John single-
handedly make a room filled with 8 opposing lawyers plus staff absolutely squirm - glad we had him on our side!!!!!!
Mr. Thomas has made more progress in days than we have in weeks due to his superior knowledge and contacts. While we depend on him
to advise us on how to win this battle - we are depending on you all to donate to the group in order to keep our fight strong. Please visit
our Get Involved page to learn how you can help.
For more info on John - please see his resume below:
Thomas & Associates, P.A.
John R. Thomas
Ph: 727-550-9072
Fax: 727-550-9073
233 Third Street N. Suite 102
St. Pete, FL 33701
LEGAL EXPERIENCE IN PRIVATE PRACTICE
Thomas & Associates, P.A.
President (1997 to present)
Duties: Civil and administrative practice concentrated in environmental law (wetland and water-related resources), land use and
comprehensive plan litigation, regulatory compliance, permitting, property damage, inverse condemnation, and other real property issues;
contract and tort litigation including construction litigation, and government litigation. Representative Clients past/current: City of Arcadia,
City of Venice, Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority, Tierra Verde Community Association, Keystone Civic Association,
Dolphin Cay Condominium Owners Association, Lewis Environmental Services, Inc., Putnam County Environmental Council
de la Parte, Gilbert & Bales, P.A.
Associate, Senior Associate, Partner (1990-1997)
Duties: Responsible for all areas of law firm practice; concentration in environmental permitting and litigation, governmental and
administrative law. Co-counseled Pinellas County’s successful efforts to renew St. Petersburg’s wellfield water use permits. Co-counseled
invalidation of numerous Southwest Florida Water Management District rules. Successfully used rulemaking petition to move the Southwest
Florida Water Management District to implement Minimum Flows and Levels. Represented numerous municipal utilities in their Clean Water
Act compliance matters. Negotiated and drafted multi-million dollar pipeline privatization project agreements. Clients included: Pinellas
County, Pasco County, Sarasota County, DeSoto County, Manatee County, West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority, City of Sarasota,
City of Cocoa, City of Brooksville, City of Arcadia, City of Venice, Old Fort Denaud Land Trust
Fowler, White, Gillen, Boggs, Villareal & Banker, P.A.
Law Clerk (1988)
Duties: Legal research and writing regarding issues affecting local government clients and civil litigation
LEGAL EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNMENT
Hillsborough County Attorney’s Office
Law Clerk (1988)
Duties: Research and advise the County Attorney and Board of County Commissioners regarding infrastructure and growth management
issues.
LEGAL EDUCATION
Stetson University College of Law
St. Petersburg, Florida
J.D. Cum Laude May 1990
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION
University of Connecticut
Storrs, Connecticut
B.A. Cum Laude May 1981
Major: Psychology
Minor: Sociology
HONORS AND ACTIVITIES
Member: Florida Bar, October 1990 (FBN: 0868043); Land Use and Environmental Law Section; Local Government/Administrative Law
Section; St. Petersburg Bar; U.S. Supreme Court (1994); U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit (1992); U.S. District Court, Middle
District of Florida (1991).
Professor: Stetson College of Law – Environmental Regulation of Water (1999).
Speaker: Florida Water Law Conference 1997 – CLE International; Florida Water Law Conference 1996 – CLE International; American Water
Works Association – Membrane Technology Conference, Reno, Nevada 1995.
Publications: “Minority Business Enterprise Programs Undergoing Change,” The Hillsborough County Bar Association Lawyer , January 1992,
at 20; “Liability of Utility Personnel,” Florida Water Resources Journal, December 1990, at 22.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
*2008-2009 – Lead Counsel for Putnam County Environmental Council efforts to restore and protect the Ocklawaha River
* 2007-2008 – Co-counsel in appeals relating to cumulative impacts of mining and standing to participate in environmental administrative
hearings and appeals
* 2001-2007 -- Co-counsel for water supply authority in (3) 5 - 8 week administrative proceedings regarding permits for phosphate
mining/reclamation
* 2006 – Prevailed against Department of Environmental Protection and Manatee County Port Authority in administrative litigation over
seagrass mitigation
* 2002 – Prevailed upon Manatee County Port Authority to restore and preserve 34 acres of Mangroves in Little Cockroach Bay
* 2001 - Prevailed against water management district issuance of permit for downtown re-development without adequate stormwater
treatment
* 1999-2001 – Co-counsel for St. Petersburg in utility fee litigation with St. Pete Beach and Arcadia in utility territory litigation with Florida
Water Services, Inc.
* 1996 - Prevailed on appeal to Land and Water Adjudicatory Commission to compel water management district to adopt schedule to
establish minimum flows and levels
* 1996 - Co-counsel for Pinellas County in 7 week administrative hearing on complex water resource-related impact issues relating to
simultaneous renewal of numerous wellfield water use permits representing entire St. Petersburg water supply
* 1995-1996 - Regulatory spokesman for a consortium of desalination facilities regarding needed regulatory changes for concentrate
disposal
* 1995 - Co-counsel in a 15 week hearing on the “SWUCA” rule challenge involving essentially all of the Southwest Florida Water
Management District’s water use rules and the limits on water management district authority
* 1994-Present - Special Utility and Administrative Counsel for City of Arcadia
* 1993 - Represented the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Dahl-Eimers v. Mutual of Omaha, establishing
“experimental treatment” health insurance exclusions are unenforceable as to bone marrow transplant procedures
* 1992-Present - Defend owners in proceedings regarding groundwater contamination consent orders, including landfills, hazardous waste
sites and petroleum sites
* 1991-1997 - Represented local government in water, wastewater and contamination matters
REPRESENTATIVE CASES IN RECENT DECADE
• Advocating for Quality of Life:
Tierra Verde Community Association v. City of St. Petersburg - Protecting Barrier Island Bedroom Community Against High Rise Development
Keystone Civic Association v. Hillsborough County - Protecting Equestrian Community Against Intense Commercial Development
• Protecting Natural Resources:
Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority v. FDEP and Mosaic Phosphate Company - Protecting Wetlands and Streams Against
the Ravages of Phosphate Mining
Lewis v. Manatee County Port Authority - Protecting Seagrass Habitat Against Dredging Impacts
• Demanding Sustainable Resource Use:
Pinellas County v. SWFWMD - Forcing Establishment of Environmentally Protective Minimum River Flows and Lake and Aquifer Water Levels
Putnam County Environmental Council v. SJRWMD - Protecting the Ocklawaha River Against Excessive Water Withdrawals