Yesterday, Jan. 27, 2019, SB 1382 passed unanimously at the four o’clock session in Tallahassee. This bill would preempt local counties from passing a nature’s rights protection in their constitution. In our case the Santa Fe Bill of Rights (SAFEBOR) on tap for Alachua County which potentially would offer the protection for the river due but not provided by the DEP nor the water districts.
Albritton, sponsor of the bill, represents a frightened industry out to squash all possibilities of impediments to their profits, at the expense of our environment.
The preemption portion does not appear in the bill description but was added later.
Thanks to all who went to Tallahassee with thousands of signed petitions. OSFR was well represented by President Mike Roth and board member Merrillee Malwitz-Jipson.
Our thanks go also to Chuck O’Neal for permission to use his photos.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
SB 1382: Environmental Resource Management
GENERAL BILL by Albritton
Environmental Resource Management; Providing that basin management action plan management strategies may include certain water quality improvement elements; requiring the Department of Environmental Protection, in coordination with the Department of Health or water management districts, to develop and implement a cooperative urban, suburban, commercial, or institutional water quality improvement element; requiring the Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences of the University of Florida, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, to develop a research plan and a legislative budget request, etc.
Effective Date: 7/1/2020
Last Action: 1/27/2020 Senate – CS by Environment and Natural Resources; YEAS 4 NAYS 0
