Presented to the Florida Native Plant Society, Annual Conference, River Ranch, May 19, 2017

Transcription

1 Photo Okeechobee Co. Ernie Cox, Patrick Iler and Anne Cox Family Lands Remembered Jupiter, Florida Presented to the Florida Native Plant Society, Annual Conference, River Ranch, May 19, 2017

2 Harper s Magazine, 1884 The Drainage Of The Everglades In August 1848, U.S. Congress gave the swamp and overflowed lands to the State of Florida with the condition that they be drained Two proposed canals extending east and west from Lake Okeechobee (for overflow ) 1845 Florida became a state Will Wallace Harney, Harper's New Monthly Magazine: Drainage of the Everglades (New York, NY: Harper & Bros., 1884) 599

3 Pre-1960 No Established Acquisition Program First acquisitions: Line-item appropriations Donations from private individuals Federal Government * 1931 First Civil Conservation Corps (CCC) in Florida 1935 Fl Board Forestry managed Federal lands ** 1963 Land Acquisition Trust Fund to purchase lands for parks and recreation areas Late 1960 s Dept Air & Water Pollution by Gov. Claude Kirk - Later became FDEP 1972 Land Conservation Act (EEL-CARL) 1972 Developments of Regional Impact 1975 Comprehensive Planning Act for Local Governments Florida s 10,000,000 in 1981 * Cabin built by CCC in 1930 s at Highland Hammock State Park. Park opened in 1931, four years before Florida s state park system was established. (CCCresources.blogspot) 1936 Pine Log State Forest in panhandle ~7,000 acres. (FFS History)

4 Trouble in Paradise Article describes, at length, the litany of environmental problems plaguing Florida in 1981 Gov. Bob Graham and Chief of Staff Estus Whitfield ( advisor to 4 governors. Involved with CARL, SOR, SOC, P In 2011 with Former Governor Graham - Florida Conservation Coalition)

5 Dangerous levels of coliform bacteria 103 sites containing potentially hazardous wastes with no groundwater barrier Only 38% of Florida's estuarine habitat is still in a nearpristine condition Snook in such short supply that the establishment of a hatchery was being considered St. Johns River plagued by industrial waste, municipal sewage and uncontrolled urban runoff. In two major kills last year, 15 million fish went belly-up in the St. Johns. Lake Tohopekaliga, another sport-fishing mecca, may soon be destroyed by runoff from farms and developments and discharges from two sewage plants on Shingle Creek, a tributary called "an environmental time bomb" by the Orlando Sentinel Star. Lethal yellowing, a bacteria-like plant disease, has destroyed 95% of the coconut palm trees, long the very symbol of Florida, in Dade County and is fast spreading. * Sports illustrated 1981 ClickOrlando.com Backyard Nature.com

6 Experts foresee a crisis of major proportions by the year 2000, a teeming Florida choking on its own wastes, a paradise lost, the legacy of public officials unwilling to protect the environment that attracted them and their neighbors here in the first place. John C. Jones, executive director of the Florida Wildlife Federation, tells his 50,000 members that he doubts there will be any need for hunting licenses in 20 years. The same, he says, could go for fishing licenses. There simply may not be any game or fish to go after. Lake Okeechobee. Naples Herald 1981 Sports Illustrated FWF Johnny and Mariana Jones receiving Hall of Fame award. FWF photo

7 Arthur Marshall outlined his plan to then Governor Bob Graham on how to restore the Everglades. He would: raise the levels of the lakes on the upper Kissimmee to restore a gradual sheet flow into the floodplain below. During dry-season drawdowns, increased oxidation and wind would expose the dried-out bottoms of accumulated organics to the atmosphere. De-channelize the Kissimmee River, allowing it to meander over its old 100-mile course rather than through its current 50-mile chute. Thus, water would again flow over now-dry lands. Ultimately many Floridians will evaluate this plan in terms of its worth to mankind, Marshall says. Its value in three areas: muck for agricultural production, marine and freshwater fish for food, recharge of the Biscayne aquifer for water supply evident in our world of increasing needs and diminishing resources. " River Basin Basics- Kissimmee

8 Miami Lakes- Palmetto Expressway and NW 154 th Street - upper left Acres of natural lands were being razed and paved over to accommodate the massive population increase that took place in the 1980 s. Sunbird Photos by Don Boyd

9 1981 Water Management District Trust Fund Save our Rivers 1982 Marshall Plan for the Everglades 1983 Save our Everglades 1985 Growth Management Act Preservation 2000-CARL, SOR, FCT 1994 Everglades Forever Act 1999 Florida Forever 2001 Rural and Family Lands Protection Program 2014 Amendment Legacy Florida Act

10 In 1981, the Florida Legislature created the Water Management Lands Trust Fund Funded partially from documentary stamp tax revenues from real estate transactions For the acquisition and restoration of water resources. Five WM Districts have purchased more than 1.7 million acres of land through this program. Land acquisition for the muchpublicized restoration of the Florida Everglades funded through SOR Title to lands purchased with SOR funds is held by the Districts, not the state. Loxahatchee River Jonathan Dickinson State Park

11 P-2000 to accelerate the acquisition of publicly owned conservation lands Ten-year time period, ending in the year To provide funds, the state issued $300 million per year in bonds for the Preservation 2000 Program. As of December 31, 1996, agencies spent more than $1.3 billion of the Preservation 2000 funds to acquire more than 809,000 acres of land. Florida Scrub jay in Palm Beach County Photo Ray Belski Jupiter Ridge Scrub

12 The EFA requires the State of Florida to: Restore and protect the Everglades ecological system. Authorize the District to proceed expeditiously with implementation of the Everglades Program. Reduce excessive levels of phosphorus. Pursue comprehensive and innovative solutions that face the Everglades System: water quality, water quantity, hydroperiod, and invasions of exotic species. Expedite plans and programs for improving water quantity reaching the Everglades. Provide a sufficient period for construction, testing, and research. Everglades boat trail Achieve the water quality goals of the Everglades Program through implementation of STAs and Best Management Practices (BMPs) Pursue the plan expeditiously, but with flexibility, so that superior technology may be utilized when available.

13 Estimated average land acquisition funding from 1984 to 2006 increased by $3 million/year (not account for inflation) Programs started in 1992 County citizens taxed themselves Matching funds from the state acquisition partners 28 of 67 counties (42%) participated > $ Billion in purchases 375,000 acres Data from TNC 2007 Report A History of Modern Land Conservation in Florida State acquisition partners include: CARL, Florida Forever, Florida Communities Trust, & WMD s

14 County/ City Year Amount Revenue Amount Alachua 2000 $ 39,000,000 $39 million bond issue voter approved (2000) Brevard 1990 $ 55,000,000 $55 million bond issue voter approved (1990) Charlotte 2006 $ 77,000,000 $77 million bonds voter approved (2006) Collier 2006 $ 110,000,000 $110 million bond issue voter approved (2006) Miami-Dade 1990 $ 90,000,000 $90 million voter approved (1990) Jacksonville/Duval 2000 $ 50,000,000 $50 million bond issue (2000) Hillsborough 1987 $ 100,000,000 $100 million bond issue voter approved (1987) Indian River 2004 $ 50,000,000 $50 million bond issue voter approved (2004) Lake 2004 $ 36,000,000 $36 million bond issue voter approved (2004) Manatee 1984 $ 37,000,000 $37 million spent (from 1984) Martin 2006 $ 80,000,000 (2006 sales tax estimated $80 million) Pasco 2004 $ 75,000,000 $75 million bond issue (2004) Pinellas 1998 $ 78,400, $78.4 million Sarasota 2005 $ 250,000,000 Up to $250 million bond issue voter approved (80% 2005) Volusia 1986 $ 20,000,000 $20 million bond issue (1986) Volusia 2000 $ 120,000,000 $40 m pay as you go/$80 m bonded voter approved (2000) Sample of Land Acquisition Data from FL Division of State Lands

15 1984 Coalition for Wilderness Islands formed 1986 Grant approved under Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation 38 sites identified at value of $300 million 1990 Bond Referendum with assistance from TNC 1991 Bond Passed with 67% voting in favor of land purchase Joint purchase / P-2000, CARL, Local municipalities $100 M leveraged to $150 million in acquisitions 1992 Royal Palm Beach Pines purchased 1999 $150 Million Bond (parks, agriculture, conservation) provides additional $50 millionfor Natural Areas s Natural Areas program resulted in acquisition and management of over 31,000 acres of native habitat, protecting many endangered and threatened species. Moyroud 2015 Palm Beach County Natural Areas Program summary

16 Florida Forever Followed P-2000 Major revision and replaced SOR and CARL Authorized the sale of up to $300 million per year in bonds for ten years, but distributed differently than under Preservation Some focus on urban and community parks, and increase in funding to Florida Communities Trust. Emphasis on protecting water resources and water supply, Emphasis on purchasing conservation easements on lands that do not necessarily need to be held in fee title by the state.. Tate s Hell, a Florida Forever project, Photo John Moran Unlike Preservation 2000, Florida Forever allows bond funds to be used for facilities development, for ecological restoration and invasive exotic plant removal, and for conducting species inventories and land management planning.

17 RFLPP different from Florida's Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever programs. Those programs focus on protecting and preserving the natural environment and providing nature-based recreational opportunities, RFLPP focuses on maintaining the agricultural land base in Florida. Recognizes that a thriving rural economy with a strong agricultural base and viable rural communities is essential to Florida's future. RFLPP protecst agricultural lands in the path of development Continue to maintain a viable agricultural sector economically Provide rural landscapes and open space, Provide protection of environmentally significant areas.

18 Protect valuable agricultural lands. Create sustainable agricultural practices & protection of the environment while continuing with agricultural operations Protect natural resources in conjunction with economically viable agricultural operations. Photos: FDACS Fresh From Florida

19 75% conservation 44,000 acres) Minimum ¾ mile corridors Most significant lands protected Among the largest conservation easements in Florida History

20 The ballot measure was designed to dedicate 33 percent of net revenue from the existing documentary tax revenue to the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. Begun in 1963, The Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF) was designed to manage and restore natural systems and to enhance public access and recreational use of conservation lands. Since then, LATF has been repurposed time and again to capture new funding sources to fit new conservation programs. Amendment 1 is the latest attempt to use LATF for land acquisition and restoration efforts. Florida Conservation Voters

21 The LF Act requires the legislature to dedicate up to: $200 million a year from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund for Everglades restoration, $50 million a year for Florida springs, and $5 million a year for Lake Apopka; all for the next 20 years. Builds on Amendment 1. In Florida Voters approved by 75% margin. Ichetucknee Springs State Park. In Orlando Weekly Photo Galleries

22 Legacy Florida = $200 M EAA Reservoir and other projects = $64 M Rural and Family Lands Protection Program = $10 M Florida Forever = 0 Florida Communities Trust = 0 Springs = $50 M Beaches = $50 M Other funding in budget for environment

23 Federal, State, Local and Private (non-submerged) conservation lands conserved from 1963 to 2016: Fee-Simple acres: 9,421,941 Less-than-fee acres: 799,424 Total acres: 9,421,941 (27.1% of Florida) Data from FNAI April 2017 Summary Report

24 Population million million (3 rd Largest ) Population projections* million million Million Forecasted problems moving forward * Too much publicly-managed lands could increase resource burden beyond government s means or tolerance Increased population growth Sea level rise Habitat Loss Florida lost over 11 million acres of forest and wetland communities in the last 50 years Estimated 10% longleaf pine, 33% scrub and less than 50% of wetlands left in Fl Florida is #3 state in US in species richness, high level of endemism, 3 rd in listed species, 31 Extinct or extirpated species. (Hoctor 2016) Data from UF's Bureau of Economic and Business Research

25 10,870,000 acres protected or 31.47% of Florida 18.8 Million residents 6.4 million acres of developed lands 9.95 million acres of protected lands (not ag) 920,000 Protected agricultural acres (excluding timber 9.5 million acres of other undeveloped land Other = Mining, Timber and Agriculture 1000 Friends of Florida 2070 Report 1000 Friends Protected Land Data includes submerged lands

26 10,870,000 acres protected or 31.47% of Florida Trend development distribution if current development patterns continue to accommodate BEBR s projected population increase of 14.9 million people 18,647,664 acres protected or 53.98% of Florida Alternative development distribution showing a land use pattern that still accommodates the 2070 projected population with a more compact pattern of development and increased protected lands

27 Florida Conservation Voters Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Florida Division of Historic Resources Florida Division of State Lands Florida Forestry Service Florida Natural Areas Inventory Florida Statewide Greenways and Trails Florida Wildlife Federation Florida s Springs University of Florida Bureau of Economic and Business Research 1000 Friends of Florida The Nature Conservancy Babcock Ranch Ken Todd, Palm Beach County Richard Moyroud, PBCo FNPS Richard Hilsenbeck, TNC Tom Hoctor, University of Florida