Hoping to save the wetlands division of our EPC from the county commissioners who are trying to eliminate it, Director Rick Garrity has crafted a proposal which he will present at the next EPC meeting, July 26, 10:00 a.m., in county center.
According to the Tribune:
“The goal of this was to maintain the integrity of our wetlands rule and not compromise that,” said Rick Garrity, executive director of the county Environmental Protection Commission. “But at the same time, we wanted to address the issues brought to our attention by applicants that felt we needed to have a little more flexibility.”
Dr. Garrity’s proposal, titled “EPC Wetlands Protection: Improving the Process, Maintaining the Protection,” would make the process more convenient for developers, but we would lose some protection in the bargain. The document answers this question, “How far can we go to appease developers (and still hang on to the wetlands division)?” Which is the dead wrong question. At this stage of our county’s development we should be asking “How can we increase protections of our wetlands?”
The proposal eliminates 5 staff positions, and slashes $375,473 MORE from the budget, which had already been substantially reduced to meet the state mandated tax cuts. It eliminates review of offsite wetland impacts, as when a development changes the grade or topography of a site so that water flows into or out of nearby wetlands. (Why should we allow development of one site to impact another site’s wetlands?)
Dr. Garrity, with the threat of elimination hanging over his head like the sword of Damocles, has come up with some innovative ways to streamline the development review process. But the suggestion that we remove EPC oversight from some parts of the process could leave our wetlands vulnerable to damage when nobody’s watching.
The proposal that we put into writing some policies we’ve been using all along could be a good thing — on another planet. In this county it is likely to be used as an opportunity to write these policies in a weaker way. Especially given the provision for a new “stakeholders” committee (i.e., “foxes guarding the henhouse”).
With a bunch of “stakeholders” involved, the proposal to classify our wetlands, and treat the “high class” ones better than the “low class” ones, could be used as an excuse to trash half our wetlands. Mitigation — building an artificial wetland to compensate for destroying a natural one — will undoubtedly be allowed more frequently under this proposal than under our current rules.
The special interests around here are yammering the ears off of our leaders about this. They should hear from us, too. You can send your comments to your commissioners and Dr. Garrity’s office. (You could, like ex-commissioner Jan Platt, just tell ‘em to “Back off!”) You can also speak to them directly at the July 26 meeting.
In the Times:
Commissioner Mark Sharpe, who voted to keep the EPC’s wetlands division, said he likes what he sees in Garrity’s report. “He’s done what commissioners have asked him to do,” Sharpe said. “If someone is bound and determined to rid the EPC from its wetlands role, however, then they won’t be satisfied. You never know with this board.”
Dr. Garrity will also present this proposal to the Tampa City Council, at 5 p.m. Thursday, City Hall, 315 E. Kennedy Blvd. The city is in discussions with the state, asking for representation on the EPC board, which is currently comprised solely of county commissioners.
Mariella
2 years ago
This just in:
The Temple Terrace City Council voted
unanimously this evening to join the City of Tampa by writing a letter to Governor Crist asking him to save the EPC wetlands division, as well asking Crist to investigate the makeup of the EPC — Temple Terrace also wants a seat on the board.
GKR
2 years ago
Our County once again does what it’s best at, that is, “racing to the bottom”.
We’re such beggars.
We as citizens of Hillsborough County, Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City need to start demanding that we have good, thoughtful, wise growth. It does exist, but not here.
Currently, developers are asking to make a permitting process easier that is already far too easy. Need proof? Take a look around, the development in our county is largely mindless, unplanned sprawl. We’re not place-making, we’re not creating places people will care about, it’s merely developers making money and then moving on to the next undeveloped parcel.
Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog » Blog Archive » wetlands wednesday
2 years ago
[...] Wetlands Rule in accordance with Dr. Garrity’s proposed “Hybrid Proposal,” his attempt to appease developers and their commissioner-puppets with a compromise to save the wetlands [...]
Michelle
2 years ago
Well, I sent my email in protest and this is what I got in return.
Dear Mike (um, it’s Michelle) – the new strengthened hybrid approach is just that – a
balanced, measured, scientifically sound way to provide for strong local
control of our wetlands. I met with Dr. Garrity yesterday and was
assured of his support for the strengthened hybrid plan. I also
communicated to him that I would not support any approach which weakened
our process, something that earlier versions of the “hybrid” allowed. I
appreciate your message and hope that you will continue to stay involved
in the process. Regards, mark Sharpe
A good response, believable, perhaps. However, he missed the major piont. Just slow down, breathe, listen to the people of Hillsborough before making hasty decisions.
This was 2nd response from Deanna, Al Higginbotham’s assistant. I wonder if he even read my email.
Ms. Baker,
Thank you for your email. Al believes the hybrid is a great first step towards resolving some of the issues we face in the wetlands division, while still maintaining wetlands protection. We thank you for your thoughts and I hope you have a great day!
Sincerely,
Deanna Franklin
Aide
Commissioner Al Higginbotham
DOG
2 years ago
First, thanks to Commissioners Sharpe & Ferlita and all of the citizens who have steadfastly supported the EPC & local wetlands regulation.
Second, do not for one minute think that Thursday’s vote was a victory. No one mentioned that 8 Wetlands Division staffers (28%) with over 60 years of combined environmental protection experience have been forced out. In addition, the short-staffed Division must now impement new rules and add new programs while being micro-managed by Commissioners and developers and being audited by the County and SWFWMD. If this is not being set up for failure, I don’t know what is!
Third, do not belive for a second that the Gang of Four wanted anything less than the total elimination of the Wetlands Division and local wetland rules. In the end, they were just too chicken to risk their political necks. The only way for Hillsborough County’s environment to remain protected is to replace a minimum of 2 board members during the next election cycle, fully staff the EPC and strengthen, not weaken the local regulations.
Finally, this is all about money. As large undeveloped upland tracts become more & more scarce, the large wetland systems bordering major roadways become the ideal place to put your new Wal-Mart, etc…Millions of dollars are at stake for the developers, their attorneys and their political lap-dogs.
Pete Gifford
1 year ago
One only needs to look at campaign donations, to see where their commissioner’s loyalty lay.
Sticks of Fire: a Tampa blog » Blog Archive » your county’s solution to housing glut: more houses
1 year ago
[...] satisfied at the time with the compromises recently handed to special interests in the contentious Hybrid “streamlining” of EPC permitting processes, he now seems to feel we did not give developers [...]