Conservation is patriotic. We all need and deserve clean water, and it’s on the ballot this November – let’s dive in.
Amendment 3
While none of us enjoys paying property taxes, we all want clean water and healthy rivers. Amendment 3 would potentially result in disastrous consequences for Florida’s environment and waterways.
The state water management districts are responsible for protecting our water resources and providing flood control. However, politicians have pressured the districts for years to reduce millage rates, resulting in annual budget spending that has not kept pace with the explosive growth and development that has occurred in the St. Johns River Watershed and throughout Florida. With over half of the St. Johns River Water Management District’s revenue coming from property taxes, Amendment 3 would further undermine the District’s ability to sufficiently manage, monitor, and protect the St. Johns River, springs, and our drinking water supply. Local governments would also be hit extremely hard, resulting in likely cuts to water quality and resilience projects, land conservation programs, environmental monitoring and enforcement, litter preventions programs, and park and recreation budgets.
We frequently work with government agencies and local officials, so we have firsthand knowledge of the insufficient environmental funding and staffing that already exists, especially at the local level. Our waterways are suffering, as a result. Amendment 3 would further reduce the funding and resources needed to protect our St. Johns River, while putting all of Florida’s waterways and water supply at even greater risk.
Read more about the issue in Florida Trib.
Vote no on Amendment 3.
St. Johns County and Marion County: Land Conservation Referendums
In St. Johns County, voters will have the opportunity to approve the issuance of bonds up to $100 million to fund the county’s Land Acquisition Management Program. The bonds would then be repaid over 20 years using property taxes. With the explosive growth occurring in St. Johns County, funding more conservation lands is critical.
Watch this video by Matanzas Riverkeeper.
In Marion County, the ballot will include an initiative called the “Marion County General Obligation Bond Referendum for Parks, Trails, Clean Water Protection, Farms and Forests.”
If approved, it would allow the County Commission to issue up to $140 million in bonds to fund parks and trails and protect farms, forests, and water resources. The bonds would be paid off with revenue from property taxes.
Learn more from Central Florida Public Media.
We support both the St. Johns County and Marion County ballot initiatives.
Early voting in Florida is October 24-31*, and Election Day is November 3.
The river can’t speak for itself, so together, we must be its voice. Vote for the river, vote for clean water, and vote for conserving Florida’s wild spaces!
*Each county Supervisor of Elections may offer more days of early voting. Contact your County Supervisor of Elections for the early voting schedule for your county.