Letters from Readers

Dan Deighan

brightline never wanted to come anywhere on the treasure coast.to slow down from 98 mph at indian street to pick up 4 people who want to stay overnight in orlando without a car??? they made the  offer to the treasure coast only to settle martin counties law suit.

Brandon Tucker

FEDERAL INTERFERENCE COULD AFFECT ESSENTIAL HOUSING PROJECTS IN FLORIDA

More than a year ago, I started the Florida Landowners Association (FLA) to help landowners protect and preserve their property rights. Now more than ever, conversation and education regarding this topic are critical to our state’s future development.

Recent action taken by a federal judge to paralyze the State of Florida’s 404 permitting program is a direct and deliberate assault on private property rights. The permitting process is part of the Clean Water Act with permits administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to regulate any activities affecting U.S. Waterways such as lakes and wetlands.

Florida’s 404 permitting program provides a streamlined procedure that allows both federal and state requirements to be covered within the state permits. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is more than capable of expediting this permitting process on behalf of state taxpayers and private landowners without unwanted interference from federal bureaucrats in Washington, DC.

So why should you care? Because numerous, much needed housing developments have now been placed on hold or at best delayed. The federal government claims this move was designed to protect Florida panthers. But this power play is doing nothing to further protect or preserve the environment or protected species.

Landowners caught in the political crossfire are being hurt along with those who are desperately striving to provide quality housing and other types of economic development opportunities for all Floridians. Many have followed the legal process for months, if not years, only to be told they cannot proceed due to this illegitimate action taken by the federal court.

FLA vehemently opposes this interference and calls on the federal court to immediately reverse this action. Unless and until a stay is requested and granted, all current and future 404 permit applications in Florida are immediately under Corps authority and will have to be processed under the federal 404 program.

In the meantime, Congress recently passed legislation that reforms the Clean Water Act. FLA fully supports and endorses H.R. 7023 the Creating Confidence in Clean Water Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and further amended by U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean of Florida late last month. This legislation supports clean water in our state and across the nation but also reduces regulatory burdens for the approval of infrastructure projects.

This bill modernizes the Clean Air Act, which has been weaponized over the years to block permits for critical development projects. It also codifies the EPA approval of Florida’s section 404 program. The move by lawmakers is a step in the right direction. The federal court’s decision will likely be headed to appeals court.

-Brandon Tucker/Executive Director/Florida Landowners Association