Reply #2: Republican legislative gang assault on Florida is in full throttle. [View All]

[seafan]

From gimleteye at Eye On Miami blog on the radical conservatives' "Frankenstein Bill":

HB 991: comprised of scores of special interest changes to long-standing environmental policies. The bill limits local regulation of mining, affirms that groundwater can be contaminated by landfills, allows increased development in wetlands, and excuses some owners of underground tanks from protecting groundwater from leaking fuel, while greatly diminishing the rights of citizens to challenge environmentally harmful projects.

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This bill changes 34 different sections of environmental laws.


HB 991:

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Undermines Peoples’ Rights to Challenge Environmental Permits (Section 1),
The bill stacks the deck against citizens who challenge permits, even if harmed by the permitted activity. Current law requires the applicant and the agency to defend the issuance of permits and is very specific in the order of presentation of evidence and arguments in hearings. The bill shifts the complete burden on those persons challenging permits and therefore reduces the rights of citizens to protect themselves.

Damage to the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve (Section 8)
The bill threatens the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, which is a uniquely beautiful and protected area that is threatened by a relaxation in permitting. Municipal applicants want to bypass state laws that would prevent dredging and filling of sensitive waterfront land to allow a new development.

Limits Local Regulation of Stormwater & Wetlands Protection (Section 18)
The bill forces local governments to give up stormwater and wetlands protection programs if they have not received state delegation. This limits the ability of communities to protect and provide for their own resources when state rules fall short.

Limits Local Governments from Regulating Mines (Section 21)
Local governments know best when mining operations need oversight and their own watchful eye. Under this bill, all counties and cities would be preempted from regulating aggregate mining operations except in the Miami-Dade County Lake Belt Area. Citizens often turn to their local officials to protect water resources.

Citizens Lose More Say Over Landfills (Section 29)
Solid waste permits, such as landfills, are typically permitted for 5-10 year periods and often draw a lot of community involvement in the permitting process. This bill would extend the life of these permits to 20 years which means fewer opportunities for citizen involvement in the permitting process.

Allows Underground Storage Tanks More Time to Pollute (Section 34)
Underground storage tanks have had 20 years to upgrade underground tanks to protect groundwater. This bill would extend the deadline to December 31, 2012…a full two years after the original date for compliance thereby increasing the likelihood of contaminants leaking into the state’s drinking water.

At the Eye On Miami link are the phone numbers and email addresses of all Florida legislators.