From the Florida Conservation Alliance:
ITS BACK...SB 716, the "Agriculture Enclave" bill...
Just as signs are that Governor Bush and Senate President Tom
Lee want to push for improving Florida's Growth Management
process this year, a Growth Management nightmare from last
year's legislative session has emerged in Tallahassee.
This bill would force local governments to approve plan
amendments to allow farmland parcels up to 5120 acres to be
converted to development if 75% or more of their boundary is
adjacent to other land approved for urban development.
This bill threatens ecosystems like the Everglades and the
Wekiva. Act now to urge members of the Florida Senate to vote
"NO" on SB 716!
You can take action on this alert either via email (please see
directions below) or via the web at:
http://ga1.org/campaign/sprawlbill/s3isi4f76em88
Visit the web address below to tell your friends about this.
http://ga1.org/campaign/sprawlbill/forward/s3isi4f76em88
We encourage you to take action by May 6, 2005
Stop The "Sprawl Machine" Bill
INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPOND VIA THE WEB:
If you have access to a web browser, you can take action on this
alert by going to the following URL:
http://ga1.org/campaign/sprawlbill/s3isi4f76em88
----THIS LETTER WILL BE SENT IN YOUR NAME----
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
I am gratified that both Senate President Tom Lee and Governor
Jeb Bush have announced that improving Florida's Growth
Management effort is a major priority for this year's
legislative session. Florida's Growth Management process needs
improvement; our natural areas are rapidly being lost under the
current system.
Unfortunately, Senate Bill 716 by Senator Argenziano would throw
a monkey wrench into Florida's Growth Management system and make
matters much worse.
This bill would allow "farmers" who own tracts of land up to
5,120 acres (that's eight square miles!) to force local
governments to consider allowing such "enclaves" to be opened to
development similar to that which surrounds 75% or more of their
boarders. An area 8 square miles in size is as large as many
Florida towns and cities. If local governments refuse to allow
increased development in such areas, Senate Bill 716 also
threatens such local governments with lawsuits under an amended
version of the "Bert Harris Property Rights Act".
Senate Bill 716 is very similar to legislation that Governor
Bush vetoed last year. Please help prevent a further weakening
of Florida's Growth Management effort by voting against SB 716.
----END OF LETTER TO BE SENT----
Florida Conservation Alliance
2507 Callaway Rd. #105
Tallahassee, FL. 32303
phone: 850-386-2002