Sludge Report for 4/3/2010

Report for April 3, 2010

ALERT!!! Legislative update from Representative Bryan Nelson. The following e-mail was received from Rep. Nelson alerting us all that it is imperative that we contact our legislators immediately about two issues: (1) Restore budgetary funding for the Passive System alternative study which was approved by the legislature last year. (2) Defeat Senate Bill 550 and make sure it does not get amended to any other legislation passing through the legislature.

E-Mail from Rep. Nelson:

Good afternoon,

Major update (if you have not heard already). Senator Constantine has found a way for Sen. Peaden to file an amendment to the budget to REMOVE the money needed for the study. This is a substitute amendment for the first amendment Sen. Peaden filed which not only REMOVED the money but put it into SB 550 by Senator Constantine. Please see the attached document for more information. We need this $2 million back in the budget for the study and we must continue to make sure that SB 550 does not get amended onto other “good” legislation that is good for the people of Florida.

Please contact your Senators and Representatives about this issue to preserve the $2 million for the study!

Maria V. Pecoraro

Legislative Aide to

State Representative Bryan Nelson

District 38

Please read the previous sludge report (3-23-10) for more information on Sen. Constantine’s Senate Bill 550 which was reviewed in the Orlando Sentinel. It’s really a shame that legislative tricks and manipulations like this must be part of the legislative process. The passive alternative study was a well-reasoned and acceptable approach to address both citizen and environmental concerns. Given this turn of events, one must question the sense of urgency, the game plan, and the methods Sen. Constantine is using to force these issues. There is no reason to abandon common sense solutions or ignore legitimate concerns for the economic well being of this state and the citizens who live, work and pay taxes here.

Contact your legislators. Ask them to please preserve/restore funding for the passive septic alternative study. Ask them to defeat Senate Bill 550 and make sure it is not somehow attached to other legislative initiatives.

For the Wekiva Study Area residents, the following legislators are part of the Orange County Legislative Delegation. Their support last year secured the funding for the study. Please direct your e-mails to them:

Rep. Steve Precourt Rep. Steve Crisafulli Sen. Thad Altman Sen. Andy Gardiner

Sen. Gary Siplin Rep. Sandy Adams Rep. Dean Cannon

Rep. Chris Dorworth Rep. Eric Eisnaugle Rep. Mike Horner

Rep. Scott Plakon Rep. Scott Randolph Rep. Darren Soto

Rep. Geraldine Thompson

Please also include Lake County Sen. Carey Baker, who was also a firm supporter last year.

All senators have the same e-mail format: lastname.firstname.web@flsenate.gov ( example: Gardiner.Andy.web@flsenate.gov)

All representatives have the same e-mail format: firstname.lastname@myfloridahouse.gov ( example: Bryan.Nelson@myfloridahouse.gov)

Senator Lee Constantine is part of the Orange County Delegation as well. Feel free to send a separate note of protest to him as well about his actions.

EPA HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 13-15

In January, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed numeric nutrient criteria for flowing waters in the State of Florida. Due to the significant turnout at the public hearings held in February, EPA will be holding another set of public hearings on April 13, 14, and 15. This issue impacts every property owner in Florida whose property receives or discharges stormwater. In other words, all property in Florida. It is imperative EPA understands the negative impacts the proposed water quality standards could have on your property or business. To speak at the public workshop you should pre-register online at: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/standards/rules/florida/information/. Pre-registration is also available by phone at 202-431-2282. The deadline for registration is April 8, 2010. The dates and locations of the public hearings are as follows:

Fort Myers - April 13, 2010, 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., Harborside Event Center, 1375 Monroe Street
Tampa - April 14, 2010 , 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., Hilton Tampa Airport, 2225 North Lois Avenue
Jacksonville - April 15, 2010, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 - 10:00 p.m., Clarion Hotel Airport Conference Center, 2101 Dixie Clipper Drive