Colin Dale`s (CKN Editor) note: We should all know by now that Florida faces inumerable environmental problems. We might sometimes also think that the rascals in Tallahassee have seen the light. But then we find that the legislature has sent House Bill 999, anti-environmental legislation sponsored by Rep. Jimmy Petronis, R. Panama City, to the Governor for signature. The excessive development that will be encouraged by this latest assault on our fragile environment is a critical issue for the future of Florida, and the Cedar Key News asks you to study the following editorial which has already appeared in the Ocala Star-Banner and The Ledger (Lakeland) and make your feelings known as widely and as loudly as you possibly can.
The Florida Legislature has sent anti-environmental legislation to Gov. Rick Scott. It would not only harm our woods and water, but also would have a negative long-term economic impact on the state. House Bill 999 - passed by the state House and Senate - is the latest assault on Florida`s environment by those who hold the most power and responsibility to protect it. First, the Legislature gutted growth management, then it weakened our water-management districts. Now it seeks to roll back protections on wetlands, allow for more pumping of our aquifer, make it harder for local governments to hold developers accountable, make it easier to pollute our waters and award 30-year, no-bid leases to big sugar for land critical to restoration of the Everglades. The Florida Conservation Coalition, led by former governor and Sen. Bob Graham, reports these bills would "weaken or eliminate" 20 environmental regulations. The bills - labeled "environmental regulation" measures - are nothing more than a massive effort toward deregulation. This at a time when half of Florida`s waterways already are deemed polluted by state regulators. IRRATIONAL REASONING The support of such legislation by Florida lawmakers is inexplicable. The state is too dependent economically on its beautiful and often unique natural resources to attract visitors from around the world to endanger them in the name of, as HB 999 sponsor Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, put it, making Florida "more business-friendly." Florida already is among the most business-friendly of the 50 states. Further decimating its already fragile and increasingly polluted environment will not make it more attractive to the kinds of businesses we want as corporate citizens. Gov. Rick Scott should veto HB 999 because it is more than what Patronis laughably termed "tweaks and fixes." It is the latest assault on environmental protection and growth management. Consider one segment of the legislation that limits the number of inquiries cities and counties can make about a development permit application to three, no matter how big or intrusive the project. By vetoing this reckless legislation, Gov. Scott has an opportunity to show that he is more concerned about everyday Floridians and the health of their communities than about pandering to big business. The governor has the opportunity to show he has learned the importance to Florida`s economy of a vibrant, protected environment. Let Gov. Scott know that the environment matters to Florida`s residents and to their future. Email: rick.scott@eog.myflorida.com. Phone: 850-488-7146. Beseech him to veto HB 999. | 