Politics & Government
DEP Secretary Valenstein Resigns; Says He Will Continue To Work In ‘Environmental Community'
Noah Valenstein, secretary of Florida's Department of Environmental Protection, resigned, effective Friday, June 4.
May 27, 2021
Noah Valenstein, secretary of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, resigned Thursday, effective on Friday, June 4.
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He has worked at DEP since the administration of former Gov. Rick Scott and has served as secretary since 2017.
Valenstein wrote in a letter he addressed to his “team” on Thursday that Shawn Hamilton will succeed him as interim secretary of the department. Hamilton is deputy secretary over the Division of Land and Recreation, which manages state parks and the Florida Forever land-conservation program. Hamilton has been with DEP for 13 years.
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“With the new agency framework completed and the largest environmental budget in the state’s history secured, it is time for me to step back and DEP to move forward with implementation under a new leader,” Valenstein wrote.
Valenstein said in the letter that he intends to “carry on my passion for the environment in the environmental community.” He provided no details.
This story was originally published by the Florida Phoenix. For more stories from the Florida Phoenix, visit FloridaPhoenix.com.
