I urge all citizens to call upon Gov. Jeb
Bush to veto House Bill 273, sponsored by our Rep. Stan Mayfield and Sen. Mike
Haridopolos, that allows the destruction of trees within 500 feet of a
billboard without any review or approval by local governments.
This amounts up to a football field of clear cutting for each billboard!
Clearly, the sponsors of this legislation do not understand the role vegetation
plays in keeping Florida livable.
Two years ago, the Indian River County
Commission formally recognized the importance of preserving trees by approving
tight tree-protection regulations to prohibiting the cutting of trees. Four of
our five commissioners did so in recognition of the contribution of trees and
other vegetation to moderating the climate, adding aesthetic value to the
landscape and preserving native species.
A threatening, long-term result of this gratuitous land clearing is its harm
to the state's temperature controls, carbon dioxide levels, decreased wildlife
habitats, and diversity of species.
A great many Florida trees already have been cut down for shopping centers,
houses, paper and agricultural lands. There are so few trees left in Florida
that ospreys are even utilizing billboards for nesting sites.
Please ask Gov. Bush not to sign this bill into law. Do you want the state
to tell our local governments what we can do with our county property?
Richard Baker
Sebastian
Write to Gov. Bush at: The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL
32399; or e-mail jeb.bush@myflorida.com.