SAVING THE GREEN SWAMP AND OUR WETLANDS
"Global warming
and polution are the direct results of 200 years of destroying the natural
landscape and industrial wastes. We will not feel the impact of todays
continued destruction for another 50 to 100 years. Can our children live with
the results of our bad choices? Yes; it's that serious!"
Statement of the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 1975
A handfull of men at
thier most assinine, know of a problem, ignore it. They will doom us all...
W. Churchill
The Green Swamp is
recognized by the State of Florida for it's ecological and hydrological
importance. Why do our county commisioners disregard our wetlands in favor of
dead presidents?
Lake Juliana and
Lake Mattie both lie entirely within the State of Florida's boundary of the
green swamp Eco-region, and has been declared the Green Swamp area of critical
concern because of it's importance to our water supplies. Yet county
commisioners approve development after development. Juliana's shoreline has
been attacked by development for the past 20 years, rendering the lakes natural
shoreline plant life nearly gone. Now the county and developers plan attacks
upon Lake Mattie. The pressure of short term gains of developers dollars will
distroy this precious oasis of wildlife, plant life and water. We cannot count
on the county commisioners to do the right thing, WE MUST FIGHT TO SAVE IT...
Lake, Polk, Sumter,
Pasco, and Hernando counties and their cities, development interests have
successfully petitioned for land use changes, that allow urban developments and
roads in the Green Swamp Area of Critical State Concern at densities and
intensities that threaten the continued viability and functioning of the Green
Swamp Ecosystem.
Lake Mattie wetlands
shoreline:
This natural
community supports populations of an estimated 330 species of wildlife and
nearly 400 species of plant life. Among this population are more than 35
threatened species or endangered species, including the Florida Black Bear,
Florida Scrub Jay, Wood Stork, and Florida Panther. Widespread species such as
white-tailed deer, bald eagle, wild turkey, alligators, bore, and numerous
songbirds and wading birds are also present. Habitat loss at record numbers put
each of these species in precarious positions. Lake Mattie and the Green Swamp
provides serenity and seclusion for quiet observation and study of a variety of
plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, and amphibians within
the natural landscape. At one time, Florida's wetlands were all but given away
in order to promote development. Today, with a tremendous knowledge of the
importance of these fragile Eco-systems, organizations and the state try to
save these lands, but developers have the commisioners on it's side. The increase
in populations and a booming building industry pushes developers to subdivide
these naturally sensitive lands because they sell consumers on owning a small
tract of natural beauty. In fact they are destroying exactly what they sell.
Ever notice how subdivisions are named after what they replaced? Small tracts
with well manicured lawns and sandy beaches are not natural here, and are
detrimental to the ecology of the area. This is the new crime of the century.
Minimum 10 or 20 acre lots with 50% natural growth is far closer to the truth
of what the developer is trying to sell than what they acually sell. We cannot
count on the commisioners who value every development in "the amount of
dead presidents it generates yearly", to stop the destruction. The
citizens must take on the fight and fight hard to preserve our natural
resources.
Call 863-534-7600
ext 273
Learn more about how
you can help visit
Board of County
Commisioners recent meeting agenda.
Petitioned by Walker
Groves Inc. Jere Stambugh owner to change state development guide for land
development in "Green Swamp area of Critical Concern" from
Agricutural / Low Residential to High Residential / Suburban Vote: 6-0 in favor
Land in question: 88 acres of criticle swamp habitat on the east side of Rt 559
south to Cone Rd. (Plan calls for a very small portion to be used as
preservation land, the remaining to be developed high density. Saving a small
portion of the land for preservation is a ploy used by property owners and
developers to increase density on larger portions of the land) Polk County BoCC
web site and hearing results:
http://www.polk-county.net/county_offices/commissioners/agenda.aspx
NOTICE: APPROVAL OF
ALL DEVELOPMENT PLAN ADMENDMENTS TO AREAS WITHIN THE "GREEN SWAMP AREA OF
CRITICAL CONCERN"
Comment made by your
Polk County Board of Commisioners President when a citizen brought to the
boards attentions that an eagles nesting site was in a tree on the property
they were holding a public hearing for on Juliana's north shore. "This
eagles nesting site is of no concern to this board"
WHAT CAN WE DO TO
STOP THE DISTRUCTION?
1. Speak out !
Contact board members, go to hearings and voice your opposition to over
development. MAKE SOME WAVES. 2. FIRE THE COUNTY BOARD. Elect environment
minded members to the board. Elect board members that have no personal business
with development. 3. Boycott business' that pillage the land for profit. 4.
Contact your state environmental agencies and non- profit organizations to
change existing rules and increase preservation lands in critical areas. Whats
the pupose of "state areas of critical concern" if county boards can
over rule them each and every time? 5. Support redevelopment practices not new
development of agricultural and wild lands. 6. Support organizations and
business' that help the fight against habitat distruction.
REMEMBER, THIS IS
AMERICA AND YOU HAVE A VOICE. IF YOU DONT SPEAK OUT, SCREAM AND SHOUT, AND
FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS, YOU LOSE!
Lake Juliana Boating
and Lodging is concerned about our natural environment. Show your support by
volunteering or donating resources to the environmental protection group of
your choice.
