Dear Surfrider Supporter,
MAJOR LEGISLATIVE VICTORIES
The Florida Legislature adjourned last Friday and it was quite a victory for us. Surfrider and other conservation groups view the 2008 session as quite a success.
CLEAN OCEANS ACT 2008 SB 1094/HB 897 - VICTORY
South Florida Ocean Outfall Bill SB1302 - VICTORY
Inlet Management Bill (Sandbypass) SB 1672/HB1472- VICTORY
Water Quality Monitoring Funding - VICTORY
We were able to save ALL $509K for beach water quality monitoring funding this year.
Florida Forever Successor Bill (PCB-ENRC9)- Successful
As a member of Florida Forever Coalition we are happy to report the coalition accomplished the 10-year reauthorization of Florida Forever (to 2020) and was able to ensure the funding was only reduced, not cut completely.
Surfrider Foundation Thanks the Following Short List of Environmental Champions
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Mike Haridopolos- Clean Oceans Bill Sponsor.
Burt Saunders – Hardworking sponsor of every major green bill kept them clean.
Ken Pruitt – Senate President that helped lead
Lee Constantine – Longtime supporter of Clean Oceans Bill.
Charlie Justice – Sponsor of Beach Access Signage Bill.
Dennis Jones – Sponsor of Inlet Management and Co-sponsor of Clean Oceans.
Stan Mayfield – Sponsor of Cleans Oceans and Inlet Management Bills.
Tony Sasso – Beach access signage bill sponsor and co-sponsor of Clean Oceans Bill.
Adam Hasner – Fought hard for ocean outfalls Bill.
And many others...
Please call you legislator and say THANK YOU!
All bills and contact numbers can be found on www.myfloridahouse.gov & www.flsenate.gov
FEDERAL LEGISLATION
BEACH ACT - Still need more help!
The BEACH Act has been funding beach water quality monitoring programs in coastal states across the nation. Congress is now considering much needed amendments to increase the amount of money spent on monitoring and to modernize the technology we rely on to protect the health of the beach-going public. Click here to ask Sen. Nelson, Sen. Martinez and the other representatives to co-sponsor the Beach Protection Act (S.1506/H.R.2537). After all, it's your beach!
OCEANS-21 - Successful
The Oceans Conservation, Education and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act ("Oceans-21") provides common sense legislation to ensure that our ocean water and marine life remain healthy. We were able to get it passed out of it next subcommittee.