U.S. court backs environment rules WASHINGTON (AP) - A federal appeals court has rejected a claim from a Florida developer for government compensation because of environmental restrictions on use of his land, handing property rights advocates a major defeat. The three-judge panel said the developer, who wanted to fill in wetlands to build a housing complex in the Florida Keys, was not entitled to compensation even though restrictions substantially reduced the value of his property. The decision was announced Thursday by the Justice Department. Lois Schiffer, assistant attorney general for environment, called the decision "a significant victory for environmental protection" and said it sets an important precedent for so-called property "takings" cases. See full story <http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2560984372-acf>
