TAMPA — For years, Florida's largest environmental consulting firm, Biological Research Associates, has helped private companies win government permits to pave over wetlands and destroy wildlife habitat. Even government agencies, including the state Department of Environmental Protection, have hired the firm known as B.R.A.

But over the years, records show, B.R.A. has produced information of questionable accuracy:

• In Hillsborough County, B.R.A. reported finding no wildlife habitat on a development site, only to have county officials discover more than 100 acres still being used by wildlife. That part of the property was thus off-limits for development.

• In Miami-Dade County, B.R.A. said mining near Everglades National Park would have no effect on endangered wood storks there. A federal judge called the assessment "patently absurd."

• In Levy County, B.R.A. told state officials that a zoning change for a rock mine had been approved by a unanimous vote of the County Commission. Actually, the commission had not even considered it. (story here)