And how did Florida's environment fair? It is somewhat premature to suggest a final grade. The Governor gets to make that call with his veto pen. But no one can resist giving a snap judgment based on the information at hand. We offer this analysis:

All things considered this was a good year for Florida's environment. At the top of our wish list was Florida Forever, the state's premier land conservation program. Early on we made the case for additional funding and an extension of the program for another decade. At the low point of the session we feared we might not see any funding and the successor legislation was loaded with schemes designed to make use of conservation lands for everything but conservation. Legislators played politics with the very machinery that administers the program, moving people, programs and processes as though on a board game with little thought about the ultimate value to be derived from this exercise.

In the end, as with most issues of this magnitude, wiser heads prevailed. Egos took a back seat to sound policy and Florida Forever received full funding (a miracle of sorts in this tight budget year). A ten-year successor program was adopted that actually recognizes the need to increase the funding authority so that we may be in a position to save land that will otherwise fall to development. In addition, Everglades bonding authority was extended by ten years and funding of $50 million was provided to keep restoration efforts moving forward.

Another major accomplishment of the 2008 Legislative Session is the attention given to energy and climate change. Governor Crist continues to influence policies that place Florida in the forefront of climate mitigation and energy independence. The Legislature looked to his lead in developing legislation which complements the Governor's Executive Orders, calling for clean, renewable energy and a reduction in greenhouse gases. The final product for 2008 may not go down as a paradigm shift, but it does keep the forward momentum. Here again, FWF was part of a coordinated effort to educate policymakers and help shape policy. We did not get all that we had hoped for but we did achieve important goals in an area of public policy that touches on all of our lives and is daunting in its scope and complexity.  While we will continue to beat the drums for quicker action on climate change, it is understandable that policymakers are taking a cautious approach to what will have financial ramifications for all of us.

Important milestones in the energy legislation call for a detailed study of energy efficiency standards and a renewable energy portfolio. These reports will come back to the legislature in 2009 for ratification. The Public Service Commission is directed to look at the decoupling of utility rates from production of power, thus freeing electric utilities to develop stronger energy efficiency programs. Utilities are directed to provide net metering so that alternate energy producers, like thermal solar power, can actual recoup some of their energy costs. All of us can benefit from these directives for years to come.

The energy bill also sends a clear signal to our Congressional Delegation that now is the time to develop a national carbon cap and trade program to allow market driven solutions to the capture of greenhouse gases. The Department of Environmental Protection will begin to promulgate rules for a state cap and trade program that will come back to the legislature in 2009 as well.

A common theme runs through this report that bears repeating: our success in 2008 was due to dedicated policymakers, motivated by accurate information, brought to them by a broad coalition of competent environmental advocates. Those efforts were supported by a strong grassroots constituency for conservation. Your calls and letters resonated throughout the session.  Our desire to work together for a common goal was rewarded with important gains and limited losses.

Ask Governor Crist to sign the Florida Forever Bill (SB 542) into law and thank him for his commitment to full funding of Florida Forever and Everglades restoration.

Growth Management Reforms SB 474/ HB 7129
Neither of the House or Senate growth management proposals was passed.  It appeared that the Senate was ready to adopt a bill along the lines of what we had previously reported but several controversial amendments were offered that prevented the bill from reaching a final vote.  Progressive changes lost as a result include: additional neighborhood meetings for map amendments, the five day "cooling off period" for changes to amendments before hearings, a supermajority vote of county commissions to override planning commission recommended actions, and limits on plan amendments to one  per cycle/year.

Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Statute Revisions HB 7091/ SB 1304
Other than law enforcement pay raises, which we regret were not adopted, FWC fared well in the session.  Commissioners Barco, Bergeron, Corbett, Stephenson, and Wright were confirmed by the Senate.  Both of the agency's proposed bills - seagrass scarring/evidence handling (HB 7059/ SB1300) and the combination of chapters 370 and 372 into chapter 379, passed.

SB 1286, the Senate bill that adjusts vessel registration fees, fishing and hunting licenses in line with the Consumer Price Index passed. This means that more than 60 FWC law enforcement officers will not lose their jobs.

Please ask Governor Crist to support S. 1286.

Constitutional Amendment to Grant Tax Savings for Conservation
The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission passed both Constitutional Proposals (CP's) 15 and 16. CP 15 is the ad valorem tax exemption for real property encumbered by a perpetual conservation easement or like instrument. CP 16 provides that lands used for conservation purposes shall be assessed for ad valorem tax at the present, not highest and best, use. These will be combined on the November ballot as Amendment 4.

Remember to Vote YES on 4 for Conservation!!

Other relevant proposals approved for the ballot by the TBRC are:

Federal Legislation
FWF is working with the National Wildlife Federation to seek support for climate change legislation, including the Warner - Lieberman, "America's Climate Security Act" (S. 2191), and in the U.S. House the Climate Stewardship Act (HR 620) and the Safe Climate Act (HR 1590). America's Climate Security Act is the first bipartisan bill to address climate and energy that also contains funding for states to manage wildlife impacts. Because Florida has a State Wildlife Management Plan, Florida would be among the states to receive up-front funding.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has indicated the Senate will begin debate on the measure in early June.

Ask Senator Mel Martinez and your Member of Congress to sign on to one of these important climate and energy security bills. Thank Senator Bill Nelson for being a co-sponsor of this important energy and climate change initiative.

Contact Information:

Governor Charlie Crist
The Capitol
Tallahassee, FL 32399

 Senator Mel Martinez
 356 Russell SOB
 Washington, DC 20510

 Senator Bill Nelson
 716 Hart SOB
 Washington, DC 20510