Press Statement by Florida Wildlife Federation, Trust for Public Land and Defenders of Wildlife
on Florida Forever Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:      May 5, 2009
CONTACT:    Manley Fuller, 850.656.7113

We thank the Florida Senate, led by the efforts of Senate President Atwater and Senators Baker, Lawson and Alexander to support funding for Florida Forever in this year’s tight budget.  We also commend these leaders for providing much needed funds to continue Everglades restoration projects, and appreciate their commitment to these environmental programs.

In a year when virtually all state programs and services are cut, we also recognize and appreciate the efforts made on behalf of land conservation by Governor Crist, who requested full funding for Florida Forever and Everglades restoration in his budget.

The creativity shown by the Florida Senate in creating SB 2430 to try to generate at least partial funding for Florida Forever, and to help advance what remains of current conservation funding, especially in this harsh economic climate, is truly commendable.

But while we are grateful for the courageous efforts made by many state leaders, we also assert that the ultimate lack of funding of Florida Forever in this year’s budget is a profound loss.

The Senate offered a number of funding options that were rejected by the House, so ultimately no funds whatsoever, not just major cuts to the program, were provided for the country’s most successful land preservation program. 

For the first time since 1990 when Preservation 2000 was first funded, the current state budget does not fund its major preservation program.  By removing authority to issue $25 million in bonds in a last attempt to fund Florida Forever this year, the state has effectively suspended conservation land acquisitions when the current funds run out.

Even in other daunting economic circumstances over the last three decades, each successive Legislature has managed to find funds to keep the state’s conservation program intact, even by raising the documentary stamp tax twice in the 1990s to ensure there were $300 million in bonds available for the program. Sadly, not even a nominal amount of funding that would indicate the Legislature’s ongoing commitment to land conservation will be made available.

Facts to Consider

The $250 million in remaining bonds that were authorized in the 2008 state budget are scheduled to be issued over the next year, but those funds are already allocated to existing preservation projects.  There will be no money forthcoming for any local government grant projects through the Florida Communities Trust, or for other projects already approved and awaiting purchase for water resource and habitat protection.

While passage of SB 2430 (which closes a doc stamp tax loophole) will prove helpful to increasing documentary stamp tax revenues in future years and make possible the earlier issuance of the currently approved ($250 million) bond funds, the bill does not provide any new Florida Forever funds in this budget year to keep the program going.

Conservationists from South Florida to the Panhandle will make Florida Forever funding a very high priority in coming years, starting with the next legislative session.

Statements

By Laurie Macdonald, Florida Director, Defenders of Wildlife

“It is so disappointing that with just a fraction of regular funding possibly available to keep Florida Forever alive in these tough times, some lawmakers decided to not even provide a small amount as a gesture of support for the program,” Macdonald said.

“We’re so pleased that Everglades restoration was funded and those projects will move forward.  But it also would be so advantageous right now to utilize conservation dollars as a means to put direct economic stimulus dollars from state land purchases in the hands of Florida’s private sector.  This is huge loss for all of Florida.”

By Manley Fuller, President of Florida Wildlife Federation

"Florida Wildlife Federation is disappointed that the Florida legislature failed to fund Florida Forever this year as Governor Crist requested, and we believe this is a serious setback for America's flagship conservation lands program,” Fuller said.

“What happened is the legislature agreed to provide more revenue for bonding the previous year’s land projects, but did not provide funding to continue forward.  This will not allow us to complete critical conservation projects in a time when there are good deals to be had.  We understand these are difficult economic times but this failure to fund any new projects at all is a serious blow to this outstanding program.”

By Greg Chelius, Director, Florida and the Caribbean, The Trust for Public Land

“Only once or twice in a generation does the opportunity come along to acquire the places that Florida Forever funds—state and local parks, local playgrounds, historic waterfronts, recreational trails, forests, and natural areas—for such bargain basement prices. I believe we will all look back with regret on the decision not to “seize the day,” Chelius said.

“The Trust for Public Land thanks Governor Crist and the Senate for supporting the Florida Forever program, and recognizing the critical role the program has played in shaping our landscapes and our lives. TPL pledges to work harder than ever over the coming months to educate members of the House of Representatives about this landmark program and the positive impact land conservation has on health, education, water quality, tourism, crime and taxes.”

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