TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –
Aug. 29, 2013 – Gov. Rick Scott proposed $90 million to help lift a section of
the Tamiami Trail, which groups such as the Everglades Foundation have called
“one of the most prominent dams” blocking the water’s natural flow. The project
would take up to three years to complete, with most of the money funded by the
U.S. Department of Interior.
Early changes to the Everglades and its feeder systems were done to alleviate seasonal flooding and open new areas to development. However, the law of unintended consequences has caused a menu of problems. A particular hot point for Realtors, however, concerns the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee river systems, and they, along with homeowners, need relief from problems caused by water flow redirected from its original natural meandering southerly flow from Orlando to the Keys’ Florida Bay.
“We are already hearing reports that seasonal renters are reconsidering whether they want to spend their winter in parts of Florida impacted by polluted water,” says Florida Realtors Senior Vice President of Public Policy John Sebree, in reference to problems faced by property owners along the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers when too much Everglades water is redirected to them on the east and west side of the state.
“Our rental market is getting cremated,” says William Poteet with Poteet Properties Inc. in Naples. The water being pumped toward Naples to avoid stress on the Everglades “is now meeting our saltwater and turning our view from clear, pristine water to a milky brown mixture. It’s just not a pretty picture.” Poteet says the water problem impacts some home sales, but the drop in rentals – and the related impact on local businesses – has had a harsh economic impact on Naples, Fort Myers Beach and other nearby towns.
The governor’s bridge announcement is considered one step to correct current Everglades flow problems, but it’s not considered a solution. Florida Realtors, working with the Everglades Foundation, is currently looking at a few short-term fixes, as well as keeping an eye on changes to help property owners long-term while improving the Everglade environment for wildlife and native flora.
Scott says Florida is “putting forward strategies each and every day to address the water quality issues that are impacting families in our state.” Last week, he also proposed $40 million to help build a storm-water retention area along the St. Lucie River.
Stuart Sen. Joe Negron heads the state Senate Appropriations Committee, and he has already backed a proposal to support up to $100 million in funding for Everglades restoration. His Senate Select Committee also plans to consider a number of short-term fixes to lessen the lake discharges later this year.
A number of Realtors discussed the Everglades problem at the recent Florida Realtors Convention & Trade Expo in Orlando. Coincidentally, it was held at Rosen Shingle Creek, which marks the beginning of the entire Everglades river system.
Early changes to the Everglades and its feeder systems were done to alleviate seasonal flooding and open new areas to development. However, the law of unintended consequences has caused a menu of problems. A particular hot point for Realtors, however, concerns the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee river systems, and they, along with homeowners, need relief from problems caused by water flow redirected from its original natural meandering southerly flow from Orlando to the Keys’ Florida Bay.
“We are already hearing reports that seasonal renters are reconsidering whether they want to spend their winter in parts of Florida impacted by polluted water,” says Florida Realtors Senior Vice President of Public Policy John Sebree, in reference to problems faced by property owners along the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers when too much Everglades water is redirected to them on the east and west side of the state.
“Our rental market is getting cremated,” says William Poteet with Poteet Properties Inc. in Naples. The water being pumped toward Naples to avoid stress on the Everglades “is now meeting our saltwater and turning our view from clear, pristine water to a milky brown mixture. It’s just not a pretty picture.” Poteet says the water problem impacts some home sales, but the drop in rentals – and the related impact on local businesses – has had a harsh economic impact on Naples, Fort Myers Beach and other nearby towns.
The governor’s bridge announcement is considered one step to correct current Everglades flow problems, but it’s not considered a solution. Florida Realtors, working with the Everglades Foundation, is currently looking at a few short-term fixes, as well as keeping an eye on changes to help property owners long-term while improving the Everglade environment for wildlife and native flora.
Scott says Florida is “putting forward strategies each and every day to address the water quality issues that are impacting families in our state.” Last week, he also proposed $40 million to help build a storm-water retention area along the St. Lucie River.
Stuart Sen. Joe Negron heads the state Senate Appropriations Committee, and he has already backed a proposal to support up to $100 million in funding for Everglades restoration. His Senate Select Committee also plans to consider a number of short-term fixes to lessen the lake discharges later this year.
A number of Realtors discussed the Everglades problem at the recent Florida Realtors Convention & Trade Expo in Orlando. Coincidentally, it was held at Rosen Shingle Creek, which marks the beginning of the entire Everglades river system.
No comments:
Post a Comment