Goodson Doesn't Understand His Own Bill; Opposition to HB 1103 Grows

The following is an open letter to state Rep. Tom Goodson, R-Rockledge, by Al Grubman, President of TOOFAR, Inc.      -Sandspur

TOO FAR against HB 1103

Al Grubman,

Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 12:00 am

When the TOO FAR board voted to oppose HB 1103 (Ordinary High Water Line or OHWL), I was proud to announce the results: “At our last meeting Thursday evening, the TOO FAR board of directors voted unanimously to stand against this legislation.” Al Grubman, president.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a response from you, the sponsor of the bill. I took your comments very seriously. I not only read every word of HB 1103 but I also read the staff analysis (both the Summary Analysis and the Full Analysis). I listened to every word of the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee discussion on the subject. I set aside your conclusions about the opponents — “In all fairness, HB 1103 has been misunderstood…” and “Unfortunately there are certain groups resorting to scare tactics when it comes to this very clear and simple piece of legislation.” I question your accusations and prefer to hear and read statements directly.

It was difficult to ignore my prejudices, such as respect for established environmental groups and others, but I believe I was objective. Since I have no prior familiarity with you, I was objective.

I considered statements and positions from many sources including Florida Conservation Coalition, Audubon, Sierra, Florida Wildlife Federation, EARTHJUSTICE, Florida Airboat Association, United Waterfowlers of Florida, Florida Sportsman, 1000 Friends of Florida and Florida Cattlemen’s Association. Only the Cattlemen supported the bill and they appear to be a beneficiary.

Friends, blogs and associates, most with substantial experience and technical backgrounds, are unanimously against the bill. Numerous newspapers have spoken up against the bill and I have found none supporting the bill.

The bill, as I read it, clearly would move property lines downhill to the advantage of property owners and to the detriment of the public and the state of Florida. Knowing Florida topography, the estimated loss of hundreds of thousands of acres of public land seems to be a reasonable expectation.

Having researched the basis of the TOO FAR board decision and examined even more information, I continue to support and am proud of the board’s decision.

TOO FAR is an environmental and water activist organization of only about 1,000 members, but we stand with the many thousands of others who are opposing this legislation.

Subsequent statements reported to be by you and the subcommittee chairman indicate that the bill “…. it’s not going anywhere” and “is most likely dead.” We hope this is not a big disappointment for you and that maybe it is like getting an ugly monkey off your back.

Al Grubman is president of TOO FAR Inc.

This letter was also published in the Citrus County Chronicle this morning.  Here's the direct link.

Public Lands Headed for Degradation and Defacement

The Florida Conservation Coalition published a Legislative Alert this afternoon saying the legislature is considering proposals that would allow oil and gas drilling on any onshore state land without regard for its environmental value.  Could lead to advertisements and commercial messages where only natural Florida habitat is now preserved.

Estus Whitfield of the FCC, author of the alert, says, “Signs or displays for advertising and public relations may be placed at trailheads, trail intersections, directional or distance markers, interpretative exhibits and parking areas.  One has to ask – will this bill enhance my outdoor, nature experience?”

Estus Whitfield was the primary environmental advisor for four governors of both parties: Graham, Martinez, Chiles, and Bush.

In Sandspur’s view, this is just more of CEO Scott’s uninformed disdain for what has been carefully and in some cases painfully established for Floridians and its visitors over the last 40 years, hopefully to protect and preserve a little bit of nature for our children and theirs.  These bills reflect no understanding of and no appreciation for natural Florida.  They are foolishness. 

While Scott didn’t introduce the legislation, he is probably behind the maneuver.  He has proposed such nonsense before through his henchman, Herschel Vinyard in the past.  Vinyard’s last attack on state parks was a proposal to construct a campground at Honeymoon Island that would accommodate huge campers and rolling motorhomes.  He has defended his decision to push for campgrounds at Honeymoon Island and 55 other state parks as a way to raise revenue for the state.

After a number of very vocal crowds showed up at public hearings to oppose the move at Honeymoon Island, however, Scott backed off and sent out a news release saying, “After seeing the public's reaction, it is clear that this is not the right time to expand camping at Honeymoon Island State Park. . . These natural treasures belong to all the tax-paying citizens of this state and it would be unfair to proceed with a plan that so many Floridians are so adamantly opposed to."

Apparently, the CEO Governor is beginning to "get" the significance of numbers, especially as re-election time gets closer.

Time for Florida’s Environmental Conscience to get vocal once again and show it is “adamantly opposed.”   Your emails and calls do have an impact.  Believe it.

Read FCC’s Alert in your browser HERE, or in full blow … and ACT;

Florida Conservation Coalition

Legislative Alert February 5, 2012,

by Estus Whitfield

DEGRADING PUBLIC LANDS

HB 695 (SB 1158) and CS/HB 181 (SB 268)If you believe that our public state lands –state parks, preserves, forests, wildlife management areas, and greenways and trails- should be protected against degradation and defacement, then you should take notice and pay careful attention to these bills.

CS/HB 695 (Ford and Smith) and it Senate companion SB 1185 (Evers) would allow the state to authorize exploration, development, and production of oil and gas on any onshore state land regardless of whether it is a park preserve, or forest, or environmentally valuable and sensitive.  This is presented as a potential state revenue producer.

CS/HB 695 is now in the Appropriations Committee and has another referral to the State Affairs Committee.  SB 1185 has referrals to the Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee, Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee, and Budget Committee. 

CS/HB 181 (Slosberg) and its Senate companion CS/CS/ SB 268 (Wise) would allow the DEP to enter concession agreements with a private business or a not-for-profit for naming rights of state greenway and trail facilities or property, or for commercial sponsorship to be displayed on the facilities or property.  Signs or displays for advertising and public relations may be placed at trailheads, trail intersections, directional or distance markers, interpretative exhibits and parking areas.  One has to ask – will this bill enhance my outdoor, nature experience?  Will it even bolster the sale of walking shoes? The bill, if it passes, will be known as the “John Anthony Wilson Bicycle Safety Act”.

CS/HB 181 is now in the Appropriations Committee and has a referral to the State Affairs Committee.  CS/CS/ SB 268 is ON THE AGENDA of the Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee for Feb. 6, 3:00 P.M. (This is the last committee.)

Please contact the following senators: CS/CS/SB 268 Sponsor:

Senator Steven Wise (R), Committee Chair:

Senator Charles S. "Charlie" Dean, Sr. (R), Vice Chair:

Members: 

Senator Steve Oelrich (R),

Senator Nancy C. Detert (R),

Senator Dennis L. Jones, D.C. (R),

Senator Jack Latvala (R),

Senator Nan H. Rich (D),

Senator Eleanor Sobel (D).                                 

Florida’s Environmental Conscience Stirring

 

An Ignominious End

 In the late sixties and early seventies songs often hinted of “something in the wind,”  “something happening” and “something coming” referring to growing discontent and rejection of the Vietnam War by the American public.  It was a time when the political “norm” was arrogantly moving more and more out of sync with the hearts and minds of America.  It was a time of growing distrust toward authority and officialdom gone awry. 

Eventually, those in power caved, excuses were found and a terrible national mistake was brought to an ignominious end.

Forces Find Compromise; HB 639 Moves Closer to Becoming Law

According to a “Friendly Alert” sent out today (02-01-12), Vicki Tschinkel of the Florida Conservation Coalition announced that a compromise had been reached on HB 639, the bill that would have removed reclaimed wastewater from the statutory definition of “waters in the state” and create a first step toward privatizing water in the State of Florida.  Here’s the alert:

Tampa Bay Times and Florida Sportsman: Oppose Public Land Giveaway!

The Tampa Bay Times published an excellent editorial this morning urging the Florida legislature to stop the environmental land giveaway that will happen if HB 1103 and SB 1362 are passed and become law.  Please follow the original story link HERE to see the article as published by the Times if you have the capability, or you can read it in full below.

Proponents of these identical bills include the Florida Cattlemen’s Association and other large land owners who stand to gain ownership of hundreds of thousands of acres of water front property.  This is land now held in public trust for you, the camper, fisherman, kayaker and hunter as well any resident or tourist who wants to enjoy Florida’s vast flowing waterways and lakes.  (See Sandspur’s earlier post on this HERE or at http://swfwmdmatters.blogspot.com/2012/01/hb1103-sb1362-public-ripoff-in.html.)