HB 7065, which we informed you about last week, is headed towards a final vote in the Florida House. This bill jeopardizes the health and recovery of America’s Everglades by capriciously capping the amount large polluters must pay to restore the Everglades, despite the Constitutional requirement that those causing the pollution pay their fair share. It also restricts enforcement of pollution discharge permits in the Everglades Agricultural Area.
Take Action
Take action to protect the Everglades Today. Contact your representative today by phone and email and ask them to VOTE NO on HB 7065 *. It is essential that House Members from across the state know that voters are watching their actions on this bill and will not accept further damage to our Everglades. You can use the FCC's prepared email (just add your Representative's email address and your name and address) or draft your own.
Bill Specifics
· Caps the amount of money sugar growers pay to build and operate projects to clean up the polluted waters coming off their fields; shifting the burden of paying for Everglades restoration from the polluters to you, the taxpayer. This is in direct conflict with the will of the voters of Florida. In 1996 Floridians overwhelming passed the “Polluter Pays” amendment to the Florida Constitution stating “those in the Everglades Agricultural Area who cause water pollution within the Everglades Protection Area or the Everglades Agricultural Area shall be primarily responsible for paying the costs of the abatement of that pollution.”
· Prohibits discharges from being deemed to cause or contribute to any violation of water quality standards in the Everglades Protection area if the polluter has a permit, weakening the ability of our state agencies and environmental groups to enforce current regulations to protect the Everglades from further harm.
Take Action
Many Representatives, including legislative leaders, have already signaled their support for this bill. At this point only your voice can help protect the Everglades and assure that polluters pay their fair share for Everglades Restoration. The FCC supports SB 0768, filed by Senator Simpson, as it merely brings Florida statutes in line with the recent agreement between Florida and the federal government on Everglades restoration. We are hopeful that with your help the House will amend this bad bill to resemble Senator Simpson’s legislation.
Take action to protect the Everglades Today. Contact your representative today by phone and email and ask the to VOTE NO on HB 7065 *. It is essential that House Members from across the state know that voters are watching their actions on this bill and will not accept further damage to our Everglades. You can use the FCC's prepared email (just add your Representative's email address and your name and address) or draft your own.
It's your voice that counts.
Read the recent Tampa Bay Times Editorial opposing HB 7065.
Thank You.
Florida Conservation Coalition