To: Sen. Charlie Dean, Sen. Wilton Simpson, Sen. Joseph Abruzzo, Sen. Thad Altman, Sen. Dwight Bullard, Sen. Andy Gardiner, Sen. Denise Grimsley, Sen. Jack Latvala, Sen. Darren Soto, and Rep. Jimmy Patronis
Senate Bill 1464
Just last week the members of the Senate Environmental Preservation & Conservation Committee stood with Florida’s waters and citizens when they unanimously passed the Springs and Aquifer Protection Act. Now we must call on them to do so again, by voting against Senate Bill 1464
Why is this important?
This Wednesday Senate Bill 1464, companion legislation to Representative Jimmy Patronis’ House Bill 703, will be heard in the Senate Environmental Preservation & Conservation Committee. Conservation groups, local governments and newspaper editorial boards have all expressed opposition to what has been called “the worst bill of the legislative session” by the Gainesville Sun, “toxic” by the Martin County Times, and a “bill (that) would harm Florida” by the Lakeland Ledger.
This legislation poses a direct threat to the health of Florida’s springs, rivers, estuaries, and natural lands by undermining the authority of local governments to make land use decisions, rolling-back springs and wetlands protections, and allowing for long-term consumptive use permits. In some cases consumptive use permits could be granted for up to 50 years, essentially removing this water from the control of the public and its elected and appointed representatives for a half century during a time when we know certain areas of our state will be unable to meet water demands in the near future.
Among the most environmentally damaging aspects of this legislation are provisions which:
•Preempt local government authority to protect wetlands and springs and regulate stormwater runoff on agricultural lands.
•Preempt local government authority to require a supermajority vote on comprehensive plans and amendments.
•Allow 50-year consumptive use permits for dispersed water storage projects.
• Allow 30-year consumptive use permits for water projects associated with Developments of Regional Impact.
This legislation poses a direct threat to the health of Florida’s springs, rivers, estuaries, and natural lands by undermining the authority of local governments to make land use decisions, rolling-back springs and wetlands protections, and allowing for long-term consumptive use permits. In some cases consumptive use permits could be granted for up to 50 years, essentially removing this water from the control of the public and its elected and appointed representatives for a half century during a time when we know certain areas of our state will be unable to meet water demands in the near future.
Among the most environmentally damaging aspects of this legislation are provisions which:
•Preempt local government authority to protect wetlands and springs and regulate stormwater runoff on agricultural lands.
•Preempt local government authority to require a supermajority vote on comprehensive plans and amendments.
•Allow 50-year consumptive use permits for dispersed water storage projects.
• Allow 30-year consumptive use permits for water projects associated with Developments of Regional Impact.