photo by Stig Nygaard
CC BY 2.0

Take Action: Keep the River of Grass Alive!

On March 10th and 11th, the South Florida Water Management District's Governing Board (SFWMD) will make a decision on the River of Grass land acquisition contract.

Take Action: Tell the EPA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that Florida's waters should be protected!

photo by Justin Henry

On January 15, 2010 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released new pollution limits that may finally make it possible to protect Florida's waters. Unfortunately, special interest industry insider's who don't want to pay for polluting our water are gearing up in opposition!

Low and unenforceable water quality standards in Florida have resulted in runoff triggering harmful algae blooms which poison water supplies, kill fish and choke marine life. Excess nitrogen and phosphorus have led to significant water quality problems and declines in wildlife habitat in both our inland and coastal waters.

Although they did not yet have a majority, Miami-Dade Commissioners Edmonson, Sorenson, Sosa and Chairman Moss unified their voices, listened to their constituents and bucked the majority of commissioners who voted to advance a retail development proposed outside the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) at a November 4th hearing.

Last week, the Florida State Legislature passed Senate Bill 360 the so called "Community Renewal Act" which is an attack on communities that want planned growth to protect the quality of life of residents, control costs, and protect public health and the environment.

Senate Bill 360 would allow developers to gobble up sensitive and rural lands by easing restrictions, extending building permits and allowing unchecked development.

Florida is vulnerable to the effects of global warming and climate change driven by greenhouse gas emissions. Our leaders must act now to prevent sea level rise and water shortages and other impacts linked to climate change by moving ahead with renewable, sustainable, less water-intensive energy technologies.

Take Action: Tell your Representative that strong legislation is needed to create an investment in renewable energy and protect Florida's environment, health and economy.

Don't let your elected official destroy a deal that protects Florida's economic and water security! The River of Grass Initiative is our only chance to secure necessary land critical to the Everglades and safeguard our water supply. Florida can't afford to pass it up!

Did you know that Lennar Corporation is again seeking a bailout from developer-friendly Miami-Dade County by requesting to move the Urban Development Boundary?

We must tell our Commissioners to say no to building the "Parkland" Development and adding 6,941 homes within 2 miles of Everglades National Park.

You can help protect our economy, community, and the environment from the enormous costs of sprawl by taking action now!

The Florida Department of Community Affairs' (DCA) received thousands of comments from Hold the Line activists and Clean Water Action members and responded by strongly opposing Miami-Dade County's ill advised efforts to develop outside our Urban Development Boundary (UDB).

If County Commissioners do not rescind these amendments, the DCA's objections could cost the county hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal costs.

Let's keep the pressure on! Please tell Miami Dade Commissioners that it is wrong to waste our taxpayer dollars to help private development interests!