Miami-Dade County Votes to Hold the Line!!

The support of conservationists like you resulted in a major victory this week: the Miami-Dade County Commissioners denied all but one of the development applications to extend the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) line towards the Everglades!

The UDB is the line separating the urban areas from the Everglades, Biscayne Bay, and an important buffer of agricultural lands. By their vote, our elected officials created an opportunity to improve the quality of life of all residents of Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida, including the birds and wildlife that Audubon of Florida aims to protect.

Your efforts to protect the Coastal Everglades made this victory a reality. Audubon supporters work to rally public opinion with our Hold the Line partners of more than 130 organizations and 19 municipalities. The result was unprecedented.  Five of the ten applications to move the UDB toward the Coastal Everglades were withdrawn before the County Commission hearing. The County Commission voted to deny applications 6, 7, 11 and 24. Unfortunately, application 5, the Hialeah industrial park, was approved after committing to provide its own road infrastructure as well as a reverse osmosis treatment plant to supply its water needs.

This is a victorious moment for all Miami-Dade county residents, Audubon of Florida, the Hold the Line Campaign, and especially the Coastal Everglades and wildlife that depend on it.  We sent a strong message to Miami-Dade County: Hold the Line for a better Miami for everyone. 

Use our email function at right to thank the five champion commissioners who consistently voted to deny the most egregious applications.  They were: Katy Sorenson, Rebeca Sosa, Sally Heyman, Carlos Gimenez, and Vice-Chairman Dennis Moss.  We also thank Governor Jeb Bush, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Executive Director Carol Wehle of the South Florida Water Management District, and Secretary Colleen Castille of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for their leadership.

Thank you all for your continued support of Audubon of Florida and our efforts to Hold the Line and protect the Everglades.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Thank you for defending the Coastal Everglades!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

On behalf of Miami-Dade residents and Everglades supporters everywhere, I thank you for protecting our Coastal Everglades by denying the applications to move the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) at the April hearings on the Comprehensive Development Master Plan. You sent a strong message to your constituents: We envision a better Miami-Dade County for everyone. Your vote creates an opportunity to improve the quality of life of all residents of Miami-Dade County, including the birds and wildlife that Audubon of Florida aims to protect. Miami-Dade's quality of life is dependent on sustainable natural resources, including our drinking water supply, Biscayne Bay, Florida Bay, and the Everglades. Your decision to hold the line on the applications outside the UDB revealed your clear commitment to sustainable growth, water conservation and environmental restoration and protection for the future generations of our community. During the hearing, you were a champion for all residents of Miami-Dade County and the protection and restoration of our Everglades ecosystem. Thank you for your leadership and wisdom.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 21, 2006


Background Information

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.

 

At the commission's April 18-20 meeting, five of the ten applications to move the UDB toward the Coastal Everglades were withdrawn before the County Commission hearing. The County Commission voted to deny applications 6, 7, 11 and 24. Unfortunately, application 5, the Hialeah industrial park, was approved after committing to provide its own road infrastructure as well as a reverse osmosis treatment plant to supply its water needs.