Meet Kirby - Our New Water Czar?

It is not too late! Governor Charlie Crist can still veto Senate Bill (SB) 2080. This bill was originally crafted with good intent to help promote Florida Friendly landscaping practices throughout our state.

However, it was corrupted by a "poison pill" amendment that was tacked on at the last minute that would essentially hand over power to issue all water use permits (Consumptive Use Permits - CUPs) and wetland permits (Environmental Resource Permits - ERPs) to the executive directors of the five water management districts.

This would mean that all permitting decisions regarding water withdrawals from the St. Johns and groundwater withdrawals within the river's watershed would be made by one unelected individual, the St. Johns River Water Management District's Executive Director Kirby Green.

This would remove the Governing Board from the decision-making process (unless Mr. Green denies a permit, then the applicant gets another chance before the Board) and limit opportunities for citizens to voice their concerns regarding important permitting issues.

Here are a couple of editorials opposing the bill that provide more information about why Crist should veto SB 2080.

http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2009/jun/09/editorial-crist-needs-to-veto-controversial-bill/

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/orl-edped-water-permits-060409060409jun04,0,4855405.story

Contact Governor Charlie Crist immediately and ask him to veto SB 2080.

Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com

Phone: (850) 488-7146, Fax: (850) 487-0801

More to come on this controversial bill very soon.