Opinion ID: 1901409
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Degree of physical, chemical, and biological impacts on waters of the State

Text: ¶ 35. The order addressed this factor as follows: As discussed throughout this order Staff considered the degree of physical, chemical, and biological impacts on waters of the State. Staff recommends and the Commission finds that these impacts have been adequately addressed. That it finds that these impacts have been adequately addressed is not a finding. It is a mere conclusory statement. The Commission must provide reviewing courts with more than mere conclusory findings of fact and conclusions of law; it must set forth the reasons for its decision. McGowan, 604 So.2d at 324. This is exactly the type of conclusory statement that McGowan seeks to prevent. ¶ 36. The Commission notes significant unavoidable impacts. However, in the order the Commission does not delineate the environmental toll of this project. It does not discuss what changes in chemical levels may be expected in the water or in the soil, or in aquatic and terrestrial life that depend on them, what species of plant and animal life may be affected, and to what extent, long-term effects on wildlife populations, etc. ¶ 37. As previously discussed, the Commission has given us nothing in its order on which we may review the Commission's consideration of this factor. We cannot determine if this factor was even considered by the Commission. The order itself states that the Staff considered the degree of physical, chemical, and biological impacts on the waters of the State. This issue must therefore be once again placed before the Commission for further findings and analysis pursuant to McGowan.