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Tuesday, Jan. 24th, 2012 # 1191 |
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 | It's a gorgeous Tuesday morning...get inspired!
Mark Renz photo
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http://info.pewtrusts.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=4534.0&dlv_id=7223
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Take action: Bad fisheries bill resurfaces; don't let your senators be fooled!
Like a predator lurking in the deep, the so-called Fishery Science Improvement Act (S. 1916), a bad fisheries bill in disguise, has surfaced in the Senate. We need your support to ensure members don't take the bait by supporting the legislation.
Thanks to America's ocean fishing law, we are on the cusp of having annual catch limits in place to protect all our federally managed species, and fish stocks are recovering. S. 1916 would turn back the clock on our valuable fish populations by:
- exempting federal managers from setting catch limits for many of the U.S.'s ocean fish stocks, including some of the most recreationally valuable species such as dolphinfish (pictured), leaving them vulnerable to overfishing; and
- taking away the incentive for managers to collect crucial information on recreationally important fish in order to set catch limits. Instead, managers would focus limited research dollars on commercially important species where the catch limit requirement remains.
Senators should reject this bill and set their sights on real opportunities to improve fisheries science and conservation by prioritizing funding for fisheries data collection and analysis.
Ask your senator to support sustainable fishing and real scientific progress.
Thank you,
Lee Crockett
Director, Federal Fisheries Policy
Pew Environment Group |
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Conference call on the Farm Bill. Farm Bill conservation programs provide millions of dollars for restoration efforts around the country. Congress will begin debating those programs this year - including their funding levels and other policy changes - as it considers the reauthorization of Farm Bill programs. What: Great Waters Coalition conference call on Farm Bill Reauthorization When: Wednesday, January 25 at 3:00 p.m. eastern Who: Tina May, Senior Professional Staff, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Sara Hopper, Environmental Defense Fund Julie Sibbing, National Wildlife Federation HOW: Dial: 1-877-890-9502; Participant Passcode: 8599270# Sincerely, Chad Lord National Parks Conservation Association (202) 454-3385 |
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Corkscrew video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3507Wkj3_yE&feature=youtu.be&hd=1
Great video of one of Florida's Special Places - If this inspires you to visit Corkscrew, make sure to check out LINC's Florida Forever Exhibit on display there now!
Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary is a 14,000 acre preserve located near Naples, Florida in the heart of the Western Everglades. It is home to the largest ...
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 | Lost on Alligator Alley
with sounds of Corkscrew Swamp
(Click photo for Mark Renz slideo and song)
Okay, so my song and slideo, "Alligator Alley" won't win any awards. But if you've had a good supper and perhaps a wee bit of wine...and can play it without interruptions Maybe... Just maybe... it will bring a smile to your face.
(In support of Corkscrew Swamp, I included a brief video at the end that I filmed there. A 10 ft. bull gator was flirting with an 8 ft. female...Their throaty roars are likely the same sounds you would have heard had you lived alongside dinosaurs.)
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 The Legislative session is off to a busy start. Once again, Fertilizer legislation has been drafted to pre-empt the right of communities to continue implementing local fertilizer ordinances to address sources of pollution. On Wednesday, HB 421, the Fertilizer bill was TP'd (Temporarily Postponed) by the Florida House Community and Military Affairs Committee.
It is coming back for a vote on Wednesday, January 25 at 8 am. Your calls are needed now to stop this bill in committee!
One of our House Representatives, Matt Caldwell is on this committee. Please contact him and as many of the other committee members as possible, asking them to NOT support HB 421 because it undermines local pollution prevention strategies.
Take Action:
1. Phone and/or email members of the Florida House Community and Military Affairs committee asking them to vote AGAINST HB 421 as amended.
What You Need to Know / Message
The City of Sanibel and Lee County were the first in the State to pass fertilizer ordinances to address nutrient pollution of our rivers, streams and coastal beach waters.
Our ordinances were drafted to do all we can to address local sources of water pollution in order to clean up our water.
Today, 45 additional communities throughout Florida have followed our example and passed strong fertilizer ordinances, all of which include a summer rainy season ban. More communities every month are taking similar actions, understanding it is cheaper to prevent water pollution than clean it up.
Amended HB 421 would exempt commercial fertilizer applicators from all existing and future summer rainy season (June to September) fertilizer application bans. Fertilizing in the summer means more fertilizer runoff into waterways, supplying nutrients that feed harmful algal blooms and red tide that harms and kills aquatic species.
Eliminating the summer rainy season ban will render all local fertilizer ordinances ineffective since many communities have professional lawn services manage their yards during their summer absence.
Committee Members
Rep. Matt Caldwell
Delegation: Lee District: 73
matt.caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov
Capitol: 850-488-1541
Rep. Ritch Workman, Chair
Delegation: Brevard District: 30
ritch.workman@myfloridahouse.gov
Capitol phone: (850) 488-9720
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Fresh water needs of Caloosahatchee
The historically rich fisheries of the Caloosahatchee and estuary are the reason saltwater fishing license revenue in Lee County is the second highest in Florida. In Lee County, tourism employs 1 out of every 5 people, with over 5 million visitors a year generating over $3 billion in economic revenues. http://www.leevcb.com/content/value-tourism
Without healthy flows the productivity of the "public crop" of fish, blue and stone crabs, shrimp and shellfish and all of the services provided by tapegrass habitat to water quality, fishery production and ecosystem stability is greatly diminished and its recovery threatened.
This economic and ecological reality notwithstanding, year after year the Caloosahatchee is completely cut off from public water, while other water users receive 100% of their demand un fairly causing the natural system and public crop to suffer losses for the advantage and benefit of a private crop profits.
The numbers speak for themselves. Data from the National Agricultural Statistics Service reflect the healthy productivity and yields of sugarcane during our worst drought years when the Caloosahatchee has been completely cut off and suffered losses of tapegrass and fisheries.
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 | Wind Master
Mark Renz photo |
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Being an Eco-Traveler in Southwest Florida!
As a premier destination for ecotourism, Southwest Florida provides many opportunities for residents and visitors to experiences unique ecosystems and cultural awareness.
Join us for thisFREE public program series that will provide you with the inside tips and tricks of being a true eco-traveler here in Southwest Florida.
All programs take place at the Eco Living Center at Rutenberg Park
6490 South Pointe Blvd, between College Parkway and Cypress Lake Drive
While all programs are FREE to the public, space is limited and your
RSVP is suggested at 239-432-2163.
For more info contact: kisedajb@leegov.com
"Paddling The Blueway"
Thursday,January 26, 2012 from 7-8 pm
Betsy Clayton, Lee County Parks & Recreation Waterways Coordinator for the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail and Terri Krass, local paddler extraordinaire, will share kayaking info, basic paddling gear and beginner trip routes through Lee County waterways.
"The Nature of Southwest Florida"
Thursday,February 23, 2012 from 7-8 pm
Charles Sobczak, author of "The Living Gulf Coast - A Nature Guide to SW Florida" will share a photo presentation of his new book which includes the regional wildlife and 162 eco-destinations within the six counties of Southwest Florida. Autograph copies of his books will be available.
"A Time Gone By"
Thursday,March 29, 2012 from 7-8 pm
Terry Cain, Lee County Parks & Recreation Land Stewardship Coordinator andJohn Kiseda, Lee County Parks & Recreation Environmental Education Coordinator will share little known facts and folklore about the Lee Island Coastline. Your favorite Lee County parks/preserves to visit and how they got their names.
John Kiseda, CIG
Sustainability - Education Coordinator
Lee County Parks & Recreation
Support Services Facility - Eco Living Center
6490 South Pointe Blvd
Ft Myers, FL 33919
239-432-2163 office
239-229-0553 cell
239-432-2030 fax
"The Natural Place to Play"
SAVE PAPER ... THINK before you print!
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 | Feathered palette
Wood Duck Drake
Mark Renz photo
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Farm Subsidies Birds And Fish Would Choose : NPR In farm communities, there are mixed feelings on conservation payments. Farmer Don Teske, of Wheaton, Kansas, says "the perception is that you're being paid to do nothing." They don't want to be park rangers, they want to farm.... |
South Florida Water Management District
Water Watch Briefing
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- Contour maps depicting water quality for coastal waters within the Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP) study area are generated monthly and can be downloaded or viewed in comparison to one another. Maps are available for 11 different water quality indicators. Users are able to generate unique maps for indicators and dates they specify. The maps are generated by a GIS tool called the Water Quality Contour Mapping (WQCM) tool. Click here to see more ยป
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| Greetings!
This morning Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam gave his recommendations to the Senate Energy Committee. After his presentation, the Commissioner answered questions from Senators. At that time, one of renewable energy's true champions, Senator Thad Altman, had some questions for Commissioner Putnam, essentially asking why a free market, zero subsidy approach to renewable energy development through property owner and 3rd party PPAs couldn't be included in the legislative recommendations. Commissioner Putnam answered that this was an approach that was "sticky", and too controversial. What he may have meant to say was that the utility companies just don't like it and nobody was going to stick their neck out to act against the utility monopoly. Senator Altman was quick to remind Commissioner Putnam of such concepts as American competition and free enterprise and property owners rights, but these concepts likely fell on deaf ears. After all, competition just doesn't fit the utility company business model.
Commissioner Putnam has stated in the past that "you can either make a statement, or you can pass a law", right now the only statement that we are hearing from him is the statement that if you are a utility company, you are worthy of billions of dollars in additional taxpayer/ratepayer money, but if you are a small scale independent producer of electricity or if you are an electrician or a roofer or a solar contractor and you aren't seeking even one red cent in subsidies, that our leaders are not even willing to attempt to stand up for you and your "sticky issue".
Folks -please forgive my jadedness here, but this year is going to be exactly like the past 4 years. The utilities will attempt with all their muscle to pass a Bill that will allow them to build hundreds of megawatts of renewable energy at your expense while simultaneously blocking legislation that will allow anyone to produce their own energy and sell it. The Legislature, and now clearly the Energy Office and the Department of Agriculture, seem eager to help them with this objective.
We must bring the fight to our elected officials. Elections are coming and we must remind them of who they were elected to serve. We must hold our elected officials accountable if they choose to serve only the utility companies at the deliberate exclusion of the rest of the industry. We must act together and not allow them to pass this lopsided legislation without inclusion of a proper renewable energy incentive (besides just more ratepayer-funded handout rebates that last for 3 minutes before they are swallowed up).
If you haven't renewed your membership in FARE for 2012, please do it now. If you haven't signed up to be part of your local chapter, please do it now. And if you want to make your voice heard, please plan to join us in Tallahassee on February 9th!
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Florida Community Steward Webinar Series
Reframing the Debate: Building Better Communities through Effective Engagement
Free On-line Webinar
Tuesday, January 24th, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Hosted by 1000 Friends of Florida and ActionMedia Please RSVP to kmorris@1000fof.org by providing the following information: Name:
Organizational Affiliation (if any):
Mailing Address:
Telephone Number:
Email Address:
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Learn how to communicate more effectively on growth and planning issues in Florida!
Since its founding in 1986, 1000 Friends has firmly believed that the citizen must play an active role in the planning process in order to create sustainable, vital and livable communities. With passage of the 2011 Community Planning Act, it is more important than ever for citizens to get involved in the decision-making process in their community.
To be effective advocates in your community, individuals and groups must enhance their communications, starting with being thoughtful about the terms of the discussion. With this in mind, we invite you to participate in a webinar designed to enhance your knowledge about how important it is to speak in terms of widely held values and to gain specific skills and strategies to make a difference through your participation.
The one-hour event will take place on January 24th at 7:00 p.m. ActionMedia is a public interest communications firm with extensive experience helping nonprofits working in the natural and built environments get results through effective communications.
This webinar will complement two new 1000 Friends of Florida publications Growth Management 101 under Florida's 2011 Community Planning Act and Citizen Participation under Florida's 2011 Community Planning Act. We will focus on local decision-making but the lessons will also help those engaged with 1000 Friends on state-level work.
This is the first in a series of "Community Steward" webinars being held by 1000 Friends over the coming months. Tentative topics and dates for future webinars include:
February 21-Florida Legislative Update-find out what's happening on key legislation related to growth and water management and the environment and how you can get involved.
Late March-Florida Legislative Wrap-Up-get an overview of major legislation that did and did not pass related to growth and water management and the environment.
Late April-Understanding Florida's Community Planning Act-discover how you can more effectively participate in your local planning process.
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 | "Regulation" is not a dirty word
Responsible regulations keep our oceans clean which provides the creatures that build the shells that wash ashore that look alluring that entice visitors who return again and create more jobs... Mark Renz photo and words
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Sincerely,
Eco-Voice Moderator
Eco-Voice, Inc.
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