National Audubon Society

One More Week Left in Annual Lawmaking Session

As the 2017 legislative session comes in for a landing, both chambers are working feverishly to negotiate a budget and end on time next Friday. Now is the time when unexpected amendments are popping up, as it becomes more certain which bills have a good chance of passing and which will likely fail to cross the finish line. Thanks to all our advocates who have been responsive to our urgent calls for emails to legislators about late-breaking amendments. Your voices are making a difference—read on for just a few examples!

Limpkin | Photo: David Moynahan

Bills Requesting State Assumption of Clean Water Act Permitting Poised to Become Law

Despite objections from the conservation community, Senate Bill 1402 and House Bill 7403 are identical and poised to pass. This legislation would give the state authority to take over a critical federal permitting program.

HB 7403 passed on the House floor and has been sent to the Senate for concurrence. Audubon raised concerns about the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection's (DEP) assertion that it can take on this essential program without any additional staffing. Nevertheless, this priority bill for the leadership of both chambers, as well as DEP, is moving swiftly toward becoming law.

Prothonotary Warbler | Photo: David Boltz

Bills Changing Local Tree Protections Stalled

Senate Bill 574 and House Bill 521, which would limit local governments’ tree protections, were introduced this legislative session. When filed, the language in both bills was strongly opposed by Audubon. As a result of input from Audubon and others, Representative Katie Edwards-Walpole made major improvements to the House version—we are grateful. Nevertheless, with the 2018 session nearing its end and major differences remaining between the House and Senate versions, the likelihood of these bills passing and impacting local tree ordinances is waning.

Red-shouldered Hawk | Photo: Scott Phillips

Land Conservation at the Center of Environmental Budget Negotiations

The House and Senate environmental and agricultural budget conference committee has resolved a number of spending items related to environmental programs. Remaining differences between the two chambers were "bumped" to the budget chairs this morning for negotiation. Florida Forever is still unresolved; with the Senate proposing $210 million for land buying and programs while the House has $42 million in total ($35 million for Rural and Family Lands and $8 million for Florida Forever). The House and Senate also agreed to fund springs at $50 million, Audubon’s goal. They also reached a deal on Everglades, which includes full funding under Legacy Florida law. Audubon is closely monitoring budget negotiations and continues to express support for Florida Forever, Rural and Family Lands, and other land acquisition programs, as well as land management.

Anhinga | Photo: Rosemary Gillan

Springs Advocates Succeed in Influencing Withdrawal of Harmful Springs Amendment

Late Wednesday, Rep. Blaise Ingoglia filed an amendment to House Bill 1149 that would indefinitely delay much-needed requirements for high-performance septic tanks to protect Florida’s vulnerable springs. This issue has not been discussed in any legislative committee this session. Audubon advocates were quick to reach out to their representatives, urging them to oppose this sneak attack on springs.

As a result of intense pressure and scrutiny, Rep. Ingoglia withdrew the bad amendment today, lest it jeopardize its intended vehicle. Thanks and congratulations to all the advocates who heeded our call with little notice—you made a difference!

Brown Pelicans and other seabirds are particularly vulnerable to oil spills. | Photo: Joanne Bartkus

Alert: Stop Plan to Vastly Expand Offshore Drilling in Florida

The administration has proposed a plan that would significantly expand leasing areas for oil and gas drilling off of Florida's coasts in the Gulf of Mexico and in the Atlantic. Expanded oil and gas drilling puts our birds and numerous coastal communities at great risk. Here in Florida, tar balls from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Disaster still wash up on our shores after storms.

Write to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and ask them to reject this plan significantly expanding offshore drilling.

Audubon Florida's Legislative Priorities

Land Conservation Funding
Audubon supports agency budget requests for Florida Forever and the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program that recommend strong funding for land acquisition and conservation easements. Audubon is seeking $150 million for land conservation.

Everglades Funding
With the successful passage of the Legacy Florida Act in 2016 and Senate Bill 10 in 2017, we must continue to follow through on commitments to restoring America’s Everglades. Audubon supports the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Legislative Budget Request that seeks $305.8 million in Everglades funding- the largest single request ever by the agency.

Springs Funding
Funds appropriated by the Florida Legislature can be leveraged with other funding sources to advance springs projects and programs to improve water quality and increase freshwater flows. Audubon is seeking $50 million for Florida’s springs.

Other Issues
Audubon is seeking $5 million for Lake Apopka Restoration.

Support Audubon's Work Today

Audubon Florida
4500 Biscayne Blvd., Suite 350, Miami, FL 33137
(305) 371-6399 fl.audubon.org

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