SIERRA CLUB -- FLORIDA CHAPTER
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SIERRA CLUB -- FLORIDA CHAPTER
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Action Items
Follow the legislative process
The short session of the Florida legislature is in full swing and there are many bills being considered that will impact Florida's environment. You can follow the process using the Florida Sierra Club's legislative tracker.
Some of the more important bills are discussed in the following issue briefs:
Three Sisters Springs is a complex of three spring areas, with many vents and sand boils that help feed Kings Bay, the headwaters of Crystal River, in Citrus County, Florida. These springs also constitute one of the most important natural warm-water refuges for the endangered Florida manatee.
But the Three Sisters Springs property is in danger of being developed and land acquisition of the springs and vulnerable parts of the spring basin remains the single most important protection strategy.
The only way to stop the destruction of Florida's future is to put the voters in charge of their hometown land use plans, it's that simple. Do your part to take back Florida's future. Sign the petition today if you are a registered Florida voter… mail it in…and send us more petitions. Florida's future will thank you.
In The News
Prevent treasure from turning into development's spigot
Plan to tap St. Johns River alarms eco-activists; water district downplays fears
A national environmental group today named the St. Johns River one of the 10 most-endangered rivers in America because of Central Florida's growing thirst for drinking water.
Legislation Buries Public, Resources
There is never any shortage of arrogance in the Florida Legislature, but Sen. Charles Dean, an Inverness Republican, may offer the most presumptuous bill of the session.
House Leadership Would Abandon Effort To Save Natural Florida
It's too bad Marco Rubio doesn't seem to have much interest in others' opinions. The cocksure 36-year-old House speaker could learn a lot about the importance of natural Florida from former Gov. Bob Martinez.
Enviro-friendly mine? Dig just a little deeper
The state would get 2,200 acres of land for free. Lake Okeechobee could be cleaner. Palm Beach County could have an emergency source of water. It all sounds very exciting. At this point, it also sounds too good for the South Florida Water Management District board to believe.
Our position: State Rep. Cannon isn't doing enough to strengthen growth law
What's the state's growth-management chief, Tom Pelham, getting in return for his needed push to reinvigorate laws regulating use of land in Florida?
A few months ago, Bill Reily, developer of the controversial Pitchford's Landing project in Jensen Beach, approached me during a recess at a Martin County Commission meeting. He smiled pleasantly.
Developers bypass local politicians
Former Gov. Bush preached local control of development to weaken the state's restrictive hand. Slow-growthers abhorred it. Developers, they believed, would run amok if left to the locals, who we now know are susceptible to bribes.
Proposal pits land swap vs. mining
State water managers could get 2,200 acres worth about $53 million in western Martin County for free to help clean water from Lake Okeechobee.
Proposed budget cuts threaten Everglades conservation, beach renourishment funds
Critical funding that helps restore eroded beaches and provides clean drinking water to 5 million South Floridians is at risk this year.
2 rock mines in west Palm Beach County win key endorsements
Two rock mines that would open more of the Everglades Agricultural Area to decades of digging moved a step closer to approval on Thursday.
House Republicans bail on Everglades preservation, cleanup
Until House Republican budget writers were handed sharp pens last month, land preservation and Everglades cleanup enjoyed enduring bipartisan support in Florida. Now, as far as the House budget is concerned, preservation is yesterday's news.