News Press

Florida Gov. Crist makes $50-million pitch to preserve lands

Governor announces environmental plan

By Betty Parker

January 23, 2010

http://www.news-press.com/article/20100123/GREEN/1230351/1007/RSS0105

With mangrove-shaded waterways as a backdrop and plenty of bright sun overhead, Gov. Charlie Crist used the opening of new visitor facilities at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Preserve on Friday to announce his push for new environmental funding in next year's state budget.

Among the key items: $50 million to restore "Florida Forever," the state's program to purchase and preserve environmentally valuable land.

Last year, legislators - citing budget constraints - eliminated that funding, and the program. But Crist said he's confident that this year, House and Senate members will see the wisdom of helping preserve the features that make Florida's quality of life so desirable.

"People come here to be tourists, to visit and live, because Florida is so beautiful," the governor said. "It helps keep our economy strong to protect the environment ... the environment relates so strongly to the jobs that are created because of those visitors and new residents."

Legislators start their annual session March 2, when their only "must-do" job is to pass the state budget. Florida governors traditionally unveil their budget recommendations in late January, but lawmakers decide exactly what gets funded.

Crist's environmental proposals were outlined at Rookery Bay; other budget issues will follow in coming weeks.

"We're in the throes of starting to roll out our budget priorities," Crist told the crowd of about 350 who gathered under a tent outside the environmental center. "We decided this dedication would be a good time to talk about our commitment to Florida's environment."

The dedication at hand was for a 440-foot-long pedestrian bridge that allows visitors to cross a creek to reach trails through various nearby habitats. The bridge, engineered specifically to be handicap- and wheelchair-accessible while not interfering with surrounding ecosystems, can withstand 140 mph winds. It cost about $1.2 million, with funds provided by the state of Florida and the federal National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Florida's Department of Environmental Protection manages Rookery Bay in cooperation with NOAA.

"We knew the governor is very interested in providing public access to state lands, so this seemed to be a perfect fit," said Bruce Robertson of Naples, president of Friends of Rookery Bay volunteer support group. "He's been a very environmentally conscious governor. We thought this would be a good showcase for him, and for the project that the state provided so much assistance for."

Eric Draper, director of Florida Audubon, drove from Miami to see the event - and hear the budget unveiling - in person. "If the governor puts it in the budget, it's hard for the Legislature to say no," Draper said. "This gives us a great deal of hope that there will be money for Florida Forever, and for the Everglades, this year."

The $50 million can be bonded to produce much more money, Draper said. "It's a bridge, just like the one being dedicated, except this budget bridges this year, when there was nothing, and future years," when funding can perhaps reach previous, higher levels.

Crist, who's running for the U.S. Senate, made no comments and faced few questions about that race, focusing instead on his budget proposals and the natural surroundings of Rookery Bay.

His remarks lasted about 20 minutes, and he spent about the same amount of time hand-shaking, posing for photos with the crowd, and talking up Florida's sunny climes.

"Is this beautiful or what?" he asked at one point, standing on the bridge to overlook the waters - busy with bypassing boaters - two stories below.

In addition to the Florida Forever money addressed by Gov. Charlie Crist on Friday in Naples, budget highlights included:

- $10 million for solar energy rebates to those who install solar energy systems. Florida was last in the nation in producing solar power when Crist took office, he said. Now Florida is second in America in producing solar power, and can continue to do even better, Crist said.

- $126 million for the State Energy Program, which helps state agencies, local governments and businesses invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient technology, bringing job growth and economic development in "clean technology."

- $17.5 million for a consumer rebate program for buying new Energy Star appliances.

- $50 million for Everglades restoration projects that help produce a more natural water flow for the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers and their estuaries, and clean up Lake Okeechobee

- $144 million to clean up underground petroleum storage tanks that threaten to contaminate water supplies and $29 million to "remediate and restore other contaminated sites."

- $11 million for repairs and renovations to state park facilities.

- $319.5 million for the Department of Agriculture, to "ensure continued production and promotion" of Florida agriculture and aquaculture.

Additional Facts

budget highlights

In addition to the Florida Forever money addressed by Gov. Charlie Crist on Friday in Naples, budget highlights included:

• $10 million for solar energy rebates to those who install solar energy systems. Florida was last in the nation in producing solar power when Crist took office, he said. Now Florida is second in America in producing solar power, and can continue to do even better, Crist said.
• $126 million for the State Energy Program, which helps state agencies, local governments and businesses invest in renewable energy and energy-efficient technology, bringing job growth and economic development in “clean technology.”
• $17.5 million for a consumer rebate program for buying new Energy Star appliances.
• $50 million for Everglades restoration projects that help produce a more natural water flow for the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers and their estuaries, and clean up Lake Okeechobee
• $144 million to clean up underground petroleum storage tanks that threaten to contaminate water supplies and $29 million to “remediate and restore other contaminated sites.”
• $11 million for repairs and renovations to state park facilities.
• $319.5 million for the Department of Agriculture, to “ensure continued production and promotion” of Florida agriculture and aquaculture.