Living Green
The FL Water and Land Conservation Initiative
By Bryan Hayes
With every election there are winners echoing a chorus of cheers and losers bellowing a chorus of boos. This latest election was no different, and like all elections there will be short-term as well as long-term ramifications. The winners will say that we are headed in the right direction while the losers will say that we are not. Like most of life, it is probably not quite that simple. What elections do prove is what is in the hearts and on the minds of voters. What is most important? What is not?
For those who voted, conservation is an important issue with almost 75 percent being in favor of Amendment 1, the Florida Water and Land Conservation Initiative, which will delegate funds for land management and purchases over the next 20 years with the money coming from a real estate transaction document tax. According to the Florida department of Environmental Protection, 35% of the money will be distributed to Division of State Lands, 30% going towards Water Management Districts, 21% to the Florida Communities Trust, 3.5% will go to Rural and Family Lands, 2.5% to the Stan Mayfield working Waterfront, 2% to the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, and 1.5% awarded to the Division of Recreation and Parks, Office of Greenway Trails, Florida Forest Service, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
According to State Representative (District 90) Lori Berman, who is very excited about the passing of Amendment 1, the passing ensures the protection of land and water in our state. That is important, because it provides “continual financial resources to protect environmentally sensitive land, restore the Everglades and protect our water resources not only now, but in the future as well.” She sees this as being sorely needed because in the past, money has not been set aside for these invaluable resources. Representative Berman also hopes that this will lead to the crafting of a budget that addresses Everglades conservation, land conservation and water conservation.
While the preservation of the Everglades is a local issue, land and water preservation is a key topic worldwide. The ever expanding population is only one of the many issues facing the world going forward including the subsequent strain on resources. One of those resources is water. While we may take clean drinking water for granted, much of the current population around the globe are not so fortunate. What would our future be like if clean drinking water, and even access to water all together, became a luxury item?
Land is something else we often take for granted. In Florida, there is a lot of biodiversity as well as a wide array of ecosystems. If any of these ecosystems are disturbed, altered or destroyed, there is a negative effect on plants and wildlife. By preserving the natural resources that we have now, we are also securing our future.
Before we can look ahead there are some very practical reasons for conservation efforts right now. Florida businesses receive a lot of revenue by way of tourism. Certainly people flock to the state for the theme parks, the great restaurants and the other amazing amenities Florida has to offer, but they also come to see nature conservatories, state parks, local parks, take advantage of all that our lakes and oceans offer, and much more. This revenue also helps attract more business to the state.
Our lands, our waters, and everything that is sustained by those, cannot be taken for granted. Part of our responsibility is to care for our planet and the Florida Water and Land Conservation Initiative is part of that. Funding is essential to preserve what makes Florida such a beautiful place to visit, to live and to do business.
The passing of the initiative can be summed up by United States Representative Patrick Murphy (FL-18) who had this to say, “The health of our environment is connected to the well-being of our economy, our tourism industry, and our entire way of life across the state of Florida. I am encouraged by the passage of Amendment 1 and that the state will be able to be more proactive on conservation issues which are so important for our local economies, protecting our precious ecosystems for future generations.”
***
What “Living Green” tips do you have? Feel free to post them to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/665875730094017/. You can like “Living Green” on Facebook or join the “Living Green” group.
***
Bryan Hayes is an actor, amateur photographer, business consultant and full-time lover of all things living. To check out more from Bryan Hayes, please visit his blog at:http://outofthehaze.wordpress.com/