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Brought to you by a sponsor of Eco-voice:
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The Greater Charlotte Harbor Group was formed in January of 2006 to serve our membership and the wild and natural places in which we are so vitally interested. Whether your interest is in conservation, fundraising, or just enjoying one of our many outings, everyone with a love of nature and the outdoors is welcome to participate.
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Beach Umbrella Mark Renz photo art |
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Sen. Graham criticizes proposed environmental bills Sen
Sen. Graham criticizes proposed environmental bills
Gov. Bob Graham appealed to a group of mostly-Democratic lawmakers Tuesday to use this legislative session to roll back laws and policy initiatives passed last year that he says threaten the Everglades and the future of the state's precious River of Grass.
"There was considerable damage done last year to the state and one of its most precious assets, which is water," Graham said. "My hope is this legislative session will avoid any further damage and will begin the process of rolling back some of the improvident changes made last year."
He also asked lawmakers to "do no harm" and reject the water privatization effort and the bill that redefines the line between private and public lands.
The"water privatization bill," HB639/S1086, is said to be Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn's top legislative priority. It would allow local governments and utility companies to maintain control of treated waste water used mostly for watering lawns and agricultural irrigation.
"The history in Florida is that water belongs to the people of Florida,wherever it is and under whatever process it may be undergoing" Graham said.
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SWFWMD Public Land Parcels as Candidates for Surplus Sale Meetings
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has formed a sub-committee in an effort to examine the surplussing of environmentally managed lands and preserves. A general link for further info and online comment is available here :
http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/projects/surplus-lands/index.php
Additional Public Information Meetingsinclude:
Governing Board Subcommittee Meetings:
Charlotte Cultural Center, Port Charlotte February 15, 2012, 1:00 PM |
The South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force (Task Force) was established by section 528(f) of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1996. The Task Force consists of 14 members from four sovereign entities. There are seven federal, two tribal, and five state and local government representatives.
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Feathers & Friends Gala 2012
Thursday, Feburary 9, 2012, 6:30p.m. - 9:30p.m.
Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, Naples, FL, United States
Tickets are now available to join celebrated author, investigative reporter, columnist, and environmentalist Carl Hiaasen, the keynote speaker at the 2012 Feathers & Friends Gala.
As a reporter, columnist, and author, Hiaasen has used his columns and books to air his objections to environmental degradation in his own trademark humorous, satirical, and very powerful manner.
Collier Audubon supports environmental advocacy throughout south Florida. |
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Keeper of the boardwalk Sanibel Lighthouse -- Photo by Mark Renz |
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4 species of 'injurious' snakes banned in U.S. to protect Everglades
THE EVERGLADES -- Several dangerous snakes are being banned from sale and import to the United States in an attempt to stem an invasion that is affecting native life in the Florida Everglades.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced a rule Tuesday morning against the importation and interstate trade of four large exotic snakes - Burmese pythons, northern and southern African rock pythons and the yellow anaconda. Salazar was joined by Nelson and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe.
Burmese and rock pythons began turning up in the Everglades in large numbers a few years ago, released by irresponsible pet owners or from escaped from pet stores and importers during hurricanes.
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Conservation Encouraged for Coming Months
The SFWMD Governing Board has declared a water shortage warning to encourage vigilance and voluntary water conservation during the dry season. Frequent swings in South Florida's water conditions - and the drier-than-normal La Niņa forecast - indicate that a return to water shortage is possible in the spring.
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All-star panel debates Everglades restoration at Everglades Water Supply Summit
Gov. Rick Scott defended his environmental policy and discussed his views on water conservation with an all-star panel of legislators and environmentalists at Tuesday afternoon's Everglades Water Supply Summit.\
The talk was moderated by NBC's Chuck Todd.
Immediately, Todd honed in on Scott's "change of heart" from last year, when he was criticized for his cuts to Everglades spending. This year, Scott has proposed $40 million for the Everglades.
"My job is allocate the money as well as I can. The Everglades are important," he said. "Whether the number is $40 million, which is in this budget, or $200 million, you have to spend it right."
He added that Everglades restoration is good for business and for real-estate values.
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www.iwla.org
The Duck Stamp art contest juxtaposed with new trends in wetland losses reminds us what's at stake if Clean Water Act protections continue to erode. Too much is at risk - water quality, the hunting economy, American traditions - for efforts to restore the Clean Water Act to be sidetracked or deraile...
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UW-F opposes Florida SB 1362 by Senator Hays and HB 1103 by Rep. Goodson by Unanamous Board of Director's Vote |
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Florida House Bill - HB1103, submitted by Rep. Tom Goodson, Titusville. This is the sovereign submerged lands bill that will take away our public lands and waters, land and waters where we hunt and fish.
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Florida wetlands have been the home of sportsmen and women and outdoors enthusiasts since long before they invented bug spray. 100 years ago, you could pretty much tramp anywhere and be on public land, hunt and fish, and enjoy the outdoors. But since Florida began draining the marshes about the same time, the Ordinary High Water Line (OHWL) has always defined the boundary of Florida sovereign ground.
Along the OHWL are littoral zones and buffers that protect our water supply and protect the native public lands. These buffer zones protect private lands from flooding and filter nutrients from runoff in urban and agricultural storm-water. They are the food web factories that feed the wildlife native to Florida and feed the migratory birds that visit here each and every winter. They are the hard-bottom spawning grounds for game-fish when flooded, and they are the public places where we hunt and fish.
Now some want to change these boundaries to give land away to private interests and shrink the buffers that are so vital to our fresh-water supply.
This bill could strip YOU of the marsh where you love to hunt!
This bill, if passed into law, will lead to the shrinkage of these buffers, and will eliminate hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands, meaning less public land to hunt and fish.
Contact your state congressman and tell them you oppose HB1103 and all similar bills this session in Florida... |
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Resilient Habitats:
Climate change is the largest threat that our natural heritage has ever faced. The effects of climate disruption are already being felt on even our most pristine landscapes. Setting aside areas where development is restricted is no longer enough - we must now actively work to create resilient habitats where plants, animals, and people are able to survive and thrive on a warmer planet. Click the images below to learn more. |
Interior Sec. Ken Salazar at Everglades Water Supply Summit: "We are interested in results. The Everglades is the latest ecosystem restoration project on the planet, and the President has taken a great interest in this."
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River hopper Leopard frog -- Mark Renz photo art
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Sometimes when I have nothing to say,
everybody is hungry for the right words.
Other times, when I am on fire to speak,
everybody's ears are full. -- Old Man River
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Sincerely,
Eco-Voice Moderator
Eco-Voice, Inc.
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License to solicit: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES By CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.'' REGISTRATION# CH31394. " |
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