Statewide Planning and Conservation Groups
Call for Refinements to Florida’s Land Planning Process
January 10, 2011
Media coverage from January 11, 2011:
Sarasota Herald-Tribune -- Caution urged on Scott's plan to combine agencies
Daytona Beach News Journal – Conservation groups release growth suggestions
Miami Herald -- Environmental groups talk DOT, DEP, DCA merger
Palm Beach Post -- Economy tied to environment, conservationists tell governor in land-use recommendations
St. Petersburg Times -- Environmental, growth-management groups weigh in on possible DCA, DEP, DOT merger
Florida Environments – Groups back off merger criticism in growth recommendations
Recognizing the need to refine the way Florida manages growth, Florida’s leading planning and conservation groups have developed a series of recommendations for Gov. Rick Scott, House Speaker Dean Cannon, and Senate President Mike Haridopolos as they assume leadership roles in Florida. 1000 Friends of Florida, Audubon of Florida, the Florida Wildlife Federation, Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy, and Tropical Audubon Society have transmitted two documents to Florida’s incoming leadership.
Explains 1000 Friends President, Charles Pattison, FAICP, “We look forward to working cooperatively with Florida’s new leaders to develop positive, workable approaches to managing growth in our state.” He maintains, “Major corporations plan for the future, and Florida should too.”
The two documents, Planning for Quality Growth and Economic Prosperity for Florida’s Future¸ and Why Planning is an Effective Economic Development Tool for Florida, identify refocused planning strategies to protect significant statewide interests, save taxpayer dollars, streamline the state planning process, and explain why effective planning is essential for sustained economic recovery.
Major recommendations include lessening state oversight in appropriately designated urban infill and redevelopment areas while increasing focus on rural and “edge” areas with significant natural resources. The report also includes the recommendation that new development cover the cost of associated infrastructure and services so taxpayers are not forced to subsidize development through higher taxes. While calling for an independent state land planning agency, the groups recognize that it may be appropriate to unite growth management functions at the state level with other related and compatible government missions.
"In his inaugural address, Governor Scott expressed his desire to make Florida the most attractive place in the world for employers to locate their businesses. We share his desire to quickly provide job opportunities for nearly one million unemployed Floridians," said Kirk Fordham, CEO of the Everglades Foundation. "At the same time, our state is currently struggling to provide an adequate supply of water to existing residents, businesses and farmers. It is imperative that we immediately implement plans to protect our water supply and our spectacular natural resources while thoughtfully managing future growth."
Audubon of Florida’s Charles Lee notes, “There is an important tradeoff to be made in restructuring the state level approach to growth management. Reducing state oversight in the urban areas where more growth should be encouraged is a good idea. Likewise, more careful state oversight assuring new development takes place in appropriate locations outside the urban boundary and better protecting sensitive ecosystems is essential.” Lee explains, “Increased emphasis should be placed on protecting Florida’s most significant natural areas like the Everglades, Green Swamp and Wekiva.”
“Florida’s environment is this state’s most important economic development asset,” says Florida Wildlife Federation President Manley Fuller. “Protecting the state’s natural assets is key to long-term economic vitality.”
Rudy Scheffer of the Sierra Club Florida Steering Committee explains, “Cost-efficient development saves taxpayer dollars now and in the future.” He notes, “Common sense planning measures reduce costs associated with infrastructure and services and protect natural lands that perform vital functions Florida's citizens depend on.”
“Florida needs a vision-based comprehensive plan to promote cost-effective land development that does not harm the state’s most significant resources,” says The Nature Conservancy’s Florida Chapter Director Jeff Danter. “The state budget should be tied to this plan to ensure most efficient use of taxpayer dollars.”
“It’s important to recognize that a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach won’t protect the state’s most sensitive ecosystems, ” explains Laura Reynolds, Executive Director of the Tropical Audubon Society. “We believe that a stakeholder-driven consensus process should be established to protect this state’s most sensitive lands.”
1000 Friends’ Pattison concludes, “Not only do these recommendations protect natural lands and streamline planning programs, but they also are in the best interest of the taxpayers of Florida as we all work to achieve the quickest possible economic recovery.”
