The Unedited Version of Drew Martin's Letter to the Editor of the PB Post

Saving Florida's Environment

Florida’s Environment is crucial to its economy. Our coasts alone provide a 65 billion dollar benefit to our Florida Economy. Yet we are constantly at conflict with those who insist on sacrificing our environment to benefit short term economic needs that have long term negative consequences.

Off shore oil drilling, rock mining and over development are three main culprits. Clearly Floridians realize that off shore oil drilling is not worth the risks. Rock mining is another example of a poorly regulated industry that has the potential for long term ecological damage. Rock mining blasts into sensitive limestone surface layers opening up the aquifer to contamination. At the same time it brings to the surface briny substrata that can contaminate surface water and plants. This contamination can not be contained on site as DEP seems to pretend.

The Palm Beach County Commission needs to go further than a temporary moratorium. This is clearly a land use decision not a zoning issue. Once our aquifers are contaminated it can take years to recover. It could lead to contaminated drinking water for Palm Beach County as limestone is permeable.

At the same time the County Commission should not permit land owners to buy out permanent Conservation Easements. In the case of the Whiteside property, the original owner promised to preserve a portion of the land for wildlife and native plants and this requirement was passed on with the property deed. This agreement is part of the County's 25 percent set aside.

These areas of native plants provide important habitat to small species of birds and other animals. Even if poorly maintained, they are better than concrete and buildings. These areas of set aside also help to keep our temperatures more moderate by creating small micro climates. To lose these is to destroy the look and feel of Florida. Property values suffer when we cut down all our trees and remove native vegetation. The property owner of Whiteside is willing to pay a small fee, but it will never compensate for the death of the animals living in this acre of set aside area and it will set the precedent that nothing in the county can be preserved.

We need to think smart in our approach to development. If our commissioners are not willing to abide by intelligent land use rules, then we need to pass Amendment 4 (Hometown Democracy) so that the voters can stand up for the environment. The Florida Environment is what makes Florida the successful tourist destination and wonderful place to live. We can not afford to sacrifice our environment.

Drew Martin
Conservation Chair, Loxahatchee Group, Sierra Club
500 Lake Ave. #102
Lake Worth, Fl. 33460
561-533-6814