PROTECT SANIBEL’S WATERS - CITY OF SANIBEL NEEDS YOUR HELP

PROTECT SANIBEL’S WATERS - CITY OF SANIBEL NEEDS YOUR HELP

We are seeking your assistance in defeating legislation currently pending before the Florida State Legislatures which, if adopted, will have a tremendous negative impact on Sanibel’s economy and environment. Senate Bill 604, currently pending before the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee, eliminates our local authority to regulate the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus that enter our local waterways through the "run-off" of extensive over-fertilization of properties. If Senate Bill 604 is adopted reasonable regulations to control application of nitrogen and phosphorus adopted by local communities will be decimated.

In regards to the broader issue of preemption of local Home Rule by our State legislators, if adopted, Senate Bill 604 will take away our local authority at the very time we have been mandated to control storm water runoff, address septic tank pollution and address water quality issues in general. At the time cities and counties are beginning to be held to increasing responsibility for water quality standards is not the time to dilute local Home Rule authority. The most cost effective way to prevent degradation of our waterways is through prevention not remediation.

SB604 scheduled to be heard Monday afternoon, February 6, 2012 in the Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee.

When sending your email, please include “Vote No On Senate Bill 604.”

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