Speak Out Against the Anti-Springs Bill!

[DeepSea]

My apologies for those that have already received this from me in e-mail. However, this is critically important!

This session, conservationists were excited at the prospect of meaningful legislation to finally protect Florida's freshwater springs. A pair of modest bills, SB 1486 by Sen. Steve Oelrich (R-Gainesville) and HB 299 by Rep. Debbie Boyd (D-High Springs), have been slowly making their way through both chambers. However, last week Rep. Boyd chose to amend her bill with language that makes it in effect ANTI-SPRINGS LEGISLATION. Springs advocates were hopeful that Sen. Oelrich would not choose to similarly amend his version, however we have just learned that he intends to do just that before the Senate Community Affairs committee this Wednesday.

If amended, SB 1486 will not only NOT help springs, it will limit our ability to conserve springs in the future.

It will:
· Enshrine language in Florida law that would say regulation of water quality is not cost-effective
· Undercut the real momentum built for Florida springs protection by the State's existing Springs Initiative
· Postpone real springs protection by directing a stacked "task force" to "study" the already well understood issues facing springs.


This is amazing that they are doing this. Taking something that was GREAT and making it something HORRIBLE!

Please go to http://audubonaction.org/campaign/springs/

All you have to do is enter your e-mail, first name, last name and then click "Send This Message".

[FW]

I sent mine in, even though I am not a FL resident :-)

[Daedalus]

Here is contact information for Senator Oelrich on this page: http://www.flsenate.gov/Legislators/index.cfm?Members=View+Page&District_Num_Link=014&Submenu=1&Tab=legislators&chamber=Senate&CFID=35257349&CFTOKEN=25374250

If some of the numerous cave divers and springs enthusiasts in his district were to contact him this afternoon hopefully we can help change his mind regarding this amendment.

[DeepSea]

Here is contact information for Senator Oelrich on this page: http://www.flsenate.gov/Legislators/index.cfm?Members=View+Page&District_Num_Link=014&Submenu=1&Tab=legislators&chamber=Senate&CFID=35257349&CFTOKEN=25374250

If some of the numerous cave divers and springs enthusiasts in his district were to contact him this afternoon hopefully we can help change his mind regarding this amendment.

The link I sent will automatically send e-mails to him as well as all of the other people on the bill.

[Daedalus]

I just got off the phone with Oelrich's office and the staffer said that Boyd requested Oelrich add the amendment because otherwise the bill does not have enough support to pass. I told the staffer that it is my preference that a "clean" bill were to be on the floor and fail than a "tainted" one passed.

[Mike]

I don't live in Fla. either, but I sent the E-mail any way.

This is typical government BS!!!!

Mike M

[skip]

So just what do the two bills actually say? where can one find them to read them?

-skip

[Daedalus]

So just what do the two bills actually say? where can one find them to read them?

-skip

House Bill (http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=34619&BillText=springs&HouseChamber=H&SessionId=54&)

Senate Bill (http://www.flsenate.gov/session/index.cfm?Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&BillNum=1486)

[DR2K]

I am not from Florida or even from this great Country, but it is my duty to raise my voice to protect the underwater caves of Florida. I fell in love with Cave Diving from my first cave dive and I have had the opportunity to meet great people who share my own passion -Scuba diving-.

As others members of this Forum, I already sent my e-mail.

Safe diving.

ED

[JoeB]

email sent...

[tomhauburn]

E-mails sent also after reading the different versions. I've got to agree with Walter that it went from a good bill to a bad one with the changes.
Tom

[jeandiver]

E-mail sent !
And I am a Florida Resident ...

Jeano Beano

[Oceanus]

FYI: It worked
http://audubonaction.org/campaign/springs/


Yesterday, we sent you an alert on proposed amendment language that would undermine our ability to protect Florida's freshwater springs.
In response, advocates like you generated more than 600 letters to each of the members of the Senate Community Affairs committee, which was scheduled to hear the bill and bad amendment today, as well as more than 150 letters to Sen. Oelrich, the bill's sponsor, largely from advocates in his district.
Today in committee, Sen. Oelrich had his staff introduce the concerning amendment. Audubon of Florida and other conservation groups testified against it, and upon voting, the amendment failed to pass the committee.
Congratulations and thank you for your advocacy! Your letters made all the difference in stopping this undermining legislation. After the amendment failed, the entire bill was "temporarily postponed." Audubon will now have the opportunity to work with the bill's sponsors in both the House and the Senate to seek more meaningful protections for springs in this pair of bills. Stay tuned for updates on its progress.

[DeepSea]

Thanks for posting that. In my joy I forgot to.

THANK YOU to everyone who sent a message!