Dear Guardians of Martin County:
Please contact your legislators immediately via the enclosed email link below, in order to head off bad Bills and Amendments. These are currently scheduled for a vote in Tallahassee, on Thursday, May 2, near the conclusion of the annual Florida legislative session.
We’ve learned the hard way that all too often our elected officials represent special interests more than the will of our citizens, and these bills demonstrate that tendency yet anew.
An alarming recent trend has been the state legislature’s attempts to prohibit local governments from maintaining control over various activities. As you read this e-mail, Senate and House bills are being considered that would require that local governments relinquish their existing protection of wetlands in areas that are within the boundaries of critical drainage districts. If these bills pass, Martin County would lose protection of thousands of acres of wetlands that are currently being protected through our Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations. These protections are essential for our waters, our rivers, our environment, and our economy.
We urge you please to join The Guardians, 1000 Friends of Florida, The Florida Conservation Coalition, the Martin County Conservation Alliance, Audubon Florida, and others to tell the Senate Appropriations Committees and our legislative delegation (see contact info below) to:
Vote NO on any amendment dealing with Chapter 373: This more than likely would address local government fertilizer pre-emption that is currently part of HB999. This totally irresponsible amendment prevents local governments from setting standards that protect water quality in their area; and
Vote NO on any amendment dealing with Chapter 298: This would most likely involve the elimination of wetland permitting requirements for Chapter 298 Special Districts by local government (including the Pal-mar Water Control District and the Hobe-St. Lucie Conservancy District in Martin County). There are 87 districts of this type throughout Florida, and more than ONE MILLION acres of wetlands are at risk.
Also please renew your opposition to both HB999 and SB1684. HB 999 passed in the House last week, while its companion Senate bill, SB 1684, is still awaiting a vote on the Senate floor.
Click the links below and send your opposition to the decision-makers.
Thank you for taking action to help protect the Martin County Difference!
Yours sincerely,
Peter H. Conze, Jr.
President, The Guardians of Martin County
Editorials from the Tampa Bay Times and the Ocala Star Banner
http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-assault-on-environment-unabated/2118148
http://www.ocala.com/article/20130426/OPINION01/130429784/0/local?p=2&tc=pg
Martin Legislative Delegation:
Florida Senator Joe Negron 850-487-5032 or 219-1665 negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov
Florida Representative Gayle Harrell 850-717-5083 871-7660 gayle.harrell@myfloridahouse.gov
Florida Representative MaryLynn Magar 850-717-5082 5450-3481 MaryLynn.Magar@myfloridahouse.gov
Senate Appropriations Conference Committee At LargeChair: Senator Joe Negron (Palm City-R), Capitol #:850-487-5032, District #: 772-219-1665 negron.joe.web@flsenate.gov
Vice Chair: Senator Lizbeth Benacquisto (Ft. Myers-R), Capitol #:850-487-5030, District #: 239-338-2570 benacquisto.lizbeth.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Andy Gardiner (Orlando-R), Capitol #:850-487-5013, District #: 407-428-5800 gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Gwen Margolis (Miami-D), Capitol #:850-487-5053, District #: 305-571-5777 margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Garrett Richter (Naples-R), Capitol #:850-487-5023, District #: 239-417-6205 richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Chris Smith (Ft. Lauderdale-D), Capitol #:850-487-5031, District #: 954-267-2114 smith.chris.web@flsenate.gov
Senator John Thrasher (Jacksonville-R), Capitol #:850-487-5006, District #: 904-287-4222 thrasher.john.web@flsenate.gov
Senate Appropriations Conference Committee on General Government
Chair: Senator D. Alan Hays (Umatilla-R), Capitol #:850-487-5011, District #: 352-742-6441 hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Oscar Braynon (Miami Gardens-D), Capitol #:850-487-5036, District #: 305-654-7150 braynon.oscar.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Charles Dean (Inverness-R), Capitol #:850-487-5005, District #: 352-860-5175 dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Wilton Simpson (New Port Richey-R), Capitol #:850-487-5018, District #: 727-816-1120 simpson.wilton.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Darren Soto (Kissimmee-D), Capitol #:850-487-5014, District #:407-846-5187 soto.darren.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Kelli Stargel (Lakeland-R), Capitol #:850-487-5015, District #: 863-284-4430 stargel.kelli.web@flsenate.gov