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Update on the Fight for Miami-Dade County to Hold the Line
The fight to protect the Coastal Everglades comes to a head this month as the Miami-Dade Commissioners vote on applications to move the Urban Development Boundary (UDB). The UDB is the line separating the urban areas from the Everglades. Last month, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Community Affairs, and the South Florida Water Management District sent a strong signal to Miami-Dade County: urban sprawl that damages the natural environment will not be permitted. The State recommended denial of all nine applications to move the UDB.
Following this unprecedented response, public support for holding the line swelled. A poll commissioned by CBS-Channel 4 found 75% of registered voters in Miami-Dade County felt the UDB should not be moved, with 76% convinced that moving the line would threaten the environment and increase traffic and water shortages.
Sergio Pino, a major developer of single family homes, urged commissioners and developers to hold the line in a speech to the South Florida Builders Association. By the end of March, three of the applicants to move the UDB withdrew their proposals.
While the withdrawn proposals represent nearly 600 acres of land saved from development, the remaining six proposals remain a significant assault on our environment. Audubon needs your help in protecting the Coastal Everglades and our natural resources.
On April 18-20th, the Miami-Dade Commission will make final decisions on the UDB. Audubon urges you to voice your opposition to all UDB applications by emailing the Miami-Dade Commission and attending the public meetings on April 18, 19, and 20th.
Every person who cares about the Everglades has a role to play in protecting the Coastal Everglades. We must protect the Coastal Everglades and Hold the Line.
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HOW YOU CAN HELP
Send an email: Use our email function at right to write the Miami-Dade commissioners, on behalf not only of county residents' quality of life, but for the health of the Everglades as a whole. Use the letter we provide, or for maximum effect, tailor the subject line and content to express your personal thoughts!
Attend the commission meeting: April 18 – 20 at 9 a.m., County Commission Chambers, Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1st St., downtown Miami. Wear green to show your support for the Coastal Everglades and Holding the Line against urban sprawl! |
| Sample Letter for Campaign |
Subject: Urban development boundary must not be moved!
Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,
On behalf of Miami-Dade residents and Everglades supporters everywhere, I urge you to deny all applications to move the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) at the April hearings on the Comprehensive Development Master Plan. Miami-Dade's quality of life is dependent on sustainable natural resources, including our drinking water supply, Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay, and Everglades. Your decision to hold the line on the applications outside the UDB will show your clear commitment to protect the quality of life for all residents of Miami-Dade County.
During the April hearing, I hope you champion a better Miami for everyone. Moving the UDB will increase traffic congestion, place family housing in flood prone areas, impede hurricane evacuation, threaten our drinking water supply, and undermine Everglades restoration. Additionally, opposing urban development outside the UDB shows a commitment to fiscal responsibility and the will to eliminate the current $6.8 billion backlog of unfunded infrastructure within the existing Miami-Dade urban area.
I urge you to make decisions that better the quality of life of all residents of Miami-Dade County. Please vote to deny all applications, including the text amendment, to move the Urban Development Boundary. Our long-term public investment in protecting our natural resources must not be compromised by short-sighted private development interests!
Sincerely,
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Campaign Launched:
April 04, 2006
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The Coastal Everglades are a habitat corridor of fresh and saltwater wetlands connecting Everglades and Biscayne National Parks, and are the headwaters of Biscayne Bay, Barnes and Card Sounds, and Florida Bay. These wetlands provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species, including the Florida panther and Roseate Spoonbill. Several projects within the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) aim to rehydrate the Coastal Everglades; however, increasing development pressure is jeopardizing the restoration projects.
Currently, the Coastal Everglades are protected by Miami-Dade County’s Urban Development Boundary (UDB), a line separating the urban areas from the Everglades, however, development proposals threaten to move the line. These development proposals will reduce restoration of our Everglades ecosystem by minimizing or eliminating project components.
Last November, the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners considered nine applications to move the UDB towards the Coastal Everglades, pushing development towards Everglades and Biscayne National Parks. Over 200 people, including many Audubon members, filled the commission chamber to voice support for holding the UDB and protecting our natural resources. The Commissioners forwarded all applications to move the UDB to the State for review. Additionally, the County sent a request for a substantial increase in their water supply permit to meet the demands for these new developments. In an unprecedented response, Governor Bush, the Department of Environmental Protection and the South Florida Water Management District refused Miami-Dade County's frivolous water consumptive use permit request and sent a strong signal: urban sprawl that damages the natural environment will not be permitted. The State affirmed their decision by recommending denial of all nine development proposals.
Following this unprecedented response, public support for holding the line swelled. A poll commissioned by CBS-Channel 4 found 75% of registered voters in Miami-Dade County felt the UDB should not be moved, with 76% convinced that moving the line would threaten the environment and increase traffic and water shortages. Sergio Pino, a major developer of single family homes, urged commissioners and developers to hold the line in a speech to the South Florida Builders Association. By the end of March, three of the applicants to move the UDB withdrew their proposals.
While the withdrawn proposals represent nearly 600 acres of land saved from development, the remaining six proposals remain a significant threat to our environment. Audubon needs your help in protecting the Coastal Everglades and our natural resources.
On April 18-20th, the Miami-Dade Commission will make final decisions on the UDB. Audubon urges you to voice your opposition to all UDB applications by emailing the Miami-Dade Commission and attending the public meetings on April 18, 19, and 20th.
Every person who cares about the Everglades has a role to play in protecting the Coastal Everglades. We must protect the Coastal Everglades and Hold the Line.
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