FCC Legislative Action Alert - Oppose Senate Bill 1464

Received this in an email:

Dear FCC Members,

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.
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.

Please call or write the Senators below, and House sponsor Jimmy Patronis, and let them know that you care for Florida’s environment and oppose this bad bill.

Best,

Ryan Smart

FCC

Rep. Jimmy Patronis
(850) 717-5006 jimmy.patronis@myfloridahouse.gov
Sen. Charlie Dean

(850) 487-5005 dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov
Sen. Wilton Simpson (850) 487-5018 simpson.wilton.web@flsenate.gov
Sen. Joseph Abruzzo (850) 487-5025 abruzzo.joseph.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Thad Altman (850) 487-5016 altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Dwight Bullard (850) 487-5039 bullard.dwight.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Andy Gardiner (850) 487-5013 gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Denise Grimsley (850) 487-5021 grimsley.denise.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Jack Latvala (850) 487-5020 latvala.jack.web@flsenate.gov

Sen. Darren Soto (850) 487-5014 soto.darren.web@flsenate.gov




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Received this update :

Dear FCC Members,

Yesterday, Senate Bill 1464, companion legislation to Rep. Jimmy Patronis’ House Bill 703, passed the Senate Environmental Preservation & Conservation Committee by a 4-1 vote. Senator Soto was the lone vote against the bill.

Prior to passage, a strike-all amendment by Senator Simpson and additional amendments by Senators Altman and Latvala removed or modified some of the worst provisions of the bill.

Specifically, two of the most environmentally damaging sections of the bill – one allowing 50 year consumptive use permits for dispersed water storage projects and another preempting local governmental authority to protect wetlands and springs and regulate stormwater runoff on agricultural lands – were completely removed. Also stricken was a provision exempting certain water control districts from local permitting when constructing dykes, ditches, canals, and other water control structures. In addition, Section 9 of the bill, dealing with water management district regional water supply plans, and Section 13, allowing for an automatic two year extension of certain building permits, were improved.

Despite these positive developments, several sections harmful to Florida’s waters and growth management policies remain in SB 1464. Most notable are provisions which:

Allow 30 year consumptive use permits for developments of regional impact in rural areas of critical concern.
Preempt local governmental authority to require a supermajority vote on comprehensive plans and amendments.
Require water management districts to incorporate water needs, sources, and development projects into regional water supply plans.
Senate Bill 1464 will now go to the Senate Community Affairs Committee.

The House version of the bill, which has not been amended to remove or modify the sections discussed above, will next be heard in the Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee.


Best,

Ryan Smart

FCC


Founder and Chairman, Bob Graham; Vice-Chairmen, Nathaniel Pryor Reed & Lee Constantine


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