Momentum Builds for Florida Conservation Vote
Posted October 2, 2013 05:45 am
ST.
PETERSBURG, FL - It's about protecting Florida's forests
and fish, wildlife and wetlands. A constitutional
amendment that would fund conservation projects in the
state has the okay of the state Supreme Court, but it
won't get on next year's ballot unless supporters
collect an additional 300,000 signatures - to reach the
goal of more than 680,000.
Campaign manager Pegeen Hanrahan with Florida's Water and Land Legacy Campaign said conservation cuts have been devastating over the past five years, and the amendment would boost critical protections for the state's natural resources.
"Our quality of life depends on it, our economy depends on it, and we think it's important for our children and grandchildren," Hanrahan said.
Supporters have just 59 days to get enough signatures
to get the constitutional amendment on the ballot. (Get
the petition here)
Defenders of Wildlife Florida program director Laurie
Macdonald said the constitutional amendment would ensure
there is funding to protect habitat for species special
to the state, like the Florida black bear, the panther,
manatees, and sea turtles.
"Florida's a really special place with respect to the
array of wildlife, just diverse wildlife. But, it also
is one of the states with the highest number of
imperiled species," Macdonald said.
The amendment sets aside one-third of Florida's existing
documentary stamp tax revenues, paid when real estate is
sold, and guarantees those funds can be used only for
conservation purposes, which include restoring, buying
and managing land.
Hanrahan said without it, the state's tourism economy
could suffer.
"Nobody's going to want to come to Florida if they hear
about murky rivers, if they hear about manatees dying.
These are the kinds of things that we want to take
proactive stances on," Hanrahan said.
Photos and links added by the Observer