| NATURAL RESOURCES AND THE ENVIRONMENT |
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| Local Program 2008-2009: To promote an environment beneficial to life through the protection and wise management of natural resources in the public interest. |
| Articles of Interest Lee County Commissioners Water Issues Friends of Billy Creek Road Construction |
| Updated 5/22/2008 |
| Issues Currently Being Followed |
Babcock Ranch Purchase: The League of Women Voters of Lee County
supports the purchase of Babcock Ranch (91,000 acres) by a consortium
made up of state and local governments and private funding since the
Ranch went on the market in 2004. The League supports the preservation of
the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the ecosystem and
maximum protection of public health and environment. League members
travel by bus to Tallahassee to attend the "Rally for Tally" event where
participants addressed the Acquisition and Restoration Committee that
determines the ranking of property purchases around the State of Florida.
The League attends update meetings sponsored by the Babcock Ranch
Preservation group, and watches developments as the sale proceeds to
closure. On July 21, 2005, Kitson & Partners made an offer to the Babcock
family to purchase 100 per cent of the stock of the Babcock Florida
Company. In making the offer Kitson & Partners seek to develop 19,000
acres of land for a community development and to sell 71,000 to the state for
preservation.
Growth Management: On October 18, 2005, the Department of Community
Affairs in partnership with the Regional Planning Councils, launched a
series of regional workshops to help educate local officials about
requirements contained in Florida's new growth law, SB 360. Planning for
schools, transportation infrastructure, water supply, capital improvements
and financial feasibility studies, technology, visioning, and fiscal impact
analysis must now be involved in community comprehensive plans.
Participants received in-depth explanations about provisions of the law and
the state's financial investment in it.
Conservation 20/20, an initiative that came about through the efforts of the
League and many community organizations, seeks to acquire and manage
land critical to help sustain water supply and quality, to protect against
flooding, to ensure wildlife habitat, and for passive recreation. It is overseen
by Lee County taxpayers through the Conservation Lands Acquisition and
Stewardship Advisory Committee with the help of Lee County
Commissioners and county government staff.
Water Quality: Commissioner Ray Judah recently appointed as liaison to
the South Florida Water Management District, will focus on water quality
projects and the C-43 reservoir.
supports the purchase of Babcock Ranch (91,000 acres) by a consortium
made up of state and local governments and private funding since the
Ranch went on the market in 2004. The League supports the preservation of
the physical, chemical, and biological integrity of the ecosystem and
maximum protection of public health and environment. League members
travel by bus to Tallahassee to attend the "Rally for Tally" event where
participants addressed the Acquisition and Restoration Committee that
determines the ranking of property purchases around the State of Florida.
The League attends update meetings sponsored by the Babcock Ranch
Preservation group, and watches developments as the sale proceeds to
closure. On July 21, 2005, Kitson & Partners made an offer to the Babcock
family to purchase 100 per cent of the stock of the Babcock Florida
Company. In making the offer Kitson & Partners seek to develop 19,000
acres of land for a community development and to sell 71,000 to the state for
preservation.
Growth Management: On October 18, 2005, the Department of Community
Affairs in partnership with the Regional Planning Councils, launched a
series of regional workshops to help educate local officials about
requirements contained in Florida's new growth law, SB 360. Planning for
schools, transportation infrastructure, water supply, capital improvements
and financial feasibility studies, technology, visioning, and fiscal impact
analysis must now be involved in community comprehensive plans.
Participants received in-depth explanations about provisions of the law and
the state's financial investment in it.
Conservation 20/20, an initiative that came about through the efforts of the
League and many community organizations, seeks to acquire and manage
land critical to help sustain water supply and quality, to protect against
flooding, to ensure wildlife habitat, and for passive recreation. It is overseen
by Lee County taxpayers through the Conservation Lands Acquisition and
Stewardship Advisory Committee with the help of Lee County
Commissioners and county government staff.
- Mid-Summer, 2005 - County purchased a 60-acre site on State Road 82,
Lehigh Acres, from Alan J. Baum. The site will be developed into a
preserve. Land Stewardship Plans for Wild Turkey Strand Preserve
(2,629 acres) and Deep Lagoon Preserve (383 acres) are being developed. - March, 2005 - County to share cost of purchase of 100-acre Boomer
estate in Estero that will be used as a preserve.
Water Quality: Commissioner Ray Judah recently appointed as liaison to
the South Florida Water Management District, will focus on water quality
projects and the C-43 reservoir.
- September 22, 2005 the South Florida Water Management District
hosted a workshop at Florida Gulf Coast University that presented
information about the current issues that create red tides and other
blooms in our river and estuary. Background on the watershed area
(900,000 acres) that feeds into the Caloosahatchee River was
presented. Phosphorous and nitrogen produced by animal feeding
operations, septic systems, industrial discharge and municipal
wastewater treatment are the major elements that produce the toxins
that damage the quality of water in our area. In-depth information
about the blue-green algae that create water discoloration and blooms,
and Karena Brevis, which creates the blooms known as red tide was
also presented. The presence of toxicity is recognizable by taste, odor,
and color. Conditions that must be present to initiate the growth of
toxins: sunlight and water temperatures were discussed. Scientists
still seek answers to why lakes and other waters bloom at the same
time and why blooms suddenly die and disappear from the surface of
the water.
- August 23, 2005 - Bimonthly briefing meeting of County
Commissioners by SWFWMD focused on four plans that are
considered successes: (1) environmental restoration of rivers and
Creeks (involved Estero Bay and the Caloosahatchee Rivers; (2) 10
Mile Canal Filter Marsh; (3) alternative water supply projects, and (4)
land acquisition.
- August 16, 2005 - Corps of Engineers and the Southwest Florida
Water Management District (SWFWMD) made an afternoon
presentation to the Board of County Commissioners. Topics for
discussion included: Federal and State Everglades Restoration,
Basin/Lake Okeechobee Management and various water quality
issues. Commissioners expressed great concern about the releases
from Lake Okeechobee that are affecting the estuary around the
mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, the nursery areas where young
fish are being nurtured, and the potential for fish kills that may result
from algae bloom.
General Membership Meeting Saturday, January 3, 2009 10:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Topic: Green Living; Ideas for Changing Lifestyles Speaker: Royal Palm Yacht Club 2360 West First Street Fort Myers, FL 33901 |
| League of Women Voters of Lee County |
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