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Negron’s Plan to Buy Everglades Land Is Big Government at Its Worst

January 26, 2017 - 6:15pm

When thinking about the ongoing debate over water in Tallahassee, forget the policy-speak.

Forget the acre-feet, the recharge and the conveyance. Forget the math -- and even the measurements.

Think about the ideologies for a second. Think about the principles that are guiding the leaders who are making decisions that will have a lasting impact on how, when and where water flows across Florida for generations to come.

What principles are guiding Senate President Joe Negron regarding his $2.4 billion plan to buy 60,000 acres for water storage south of Lake Okeechobee?

What principles would House Speaker Richard Corcoran use to sell the idea to his overwhelmingly conservative caucus?

The concept of the government taking land from private landowners should send a shiver up the spine of anyone who calls himself a “small government conservative.”

Government land-buying is popular in liberal states like California and New York. But in states like Florida, land that is not essential to conservation should be available for private citizens.

Then there is the cost, which is a staggering $2.4 billion bonded out for years to come. This type of payment scheme should be having Milton Friedman, the legendary conservative economist, spinning in his grave.

Another issue is having to rely on the federal government: No matter how much Florida spends on Everglades restoration, it will never be enough without firm commitments from our federal partners.

And with Washington as broken as it is, it will be a while before an aimless land buy will get federal approval.

There’s also the fact that the plan would take a significant portion of funding meant for projects around the state and funnel it to South Florida.

North Florida has needs, too, including the restoration of the St. Johns River as well as the restoration of our springs.

On top of all of this is the revelation that the Everglades Foundation scientist whose work has influenced the Negron plan has apparently taken some liberties with the numbers.

This type of fake science is what the far left seems to be increasingly resorting to when the facts don’t support its agenda.

When you add it all up, it amounts to a liberal eco-nirvana: buying land for buying’s sake.

It is an erosion of property rights.

It is a purchase without an immediate purpose.

And it is a plan that will punish the very men and women in agriculture who help make Florida’s economy hum.

With these critical facts in mind, it’s little wonder that Negron spent his first few days as Senate president defending his chamber as “conservative.”

But given that we are in an era of conservatism symbolized by new President Donald Trump, Negron faces an unenviable task in trying to tell caucus members that they are “conservative” enough.

In the House, meanwhile, Corcoran has to be shaking his head and wondering how people who call themselves “conservative” can in their right minds support this plan.

Hatched in the bowels of the Everglades Foundation headquarters, the plan may play well in Palm Beach.

But it won’t cut it in Micanopy.

In the Florida counties that Trump carried last November, voters are looking for ways to get government out of the real estate business -- not into it.

To be sure, Negron’s constituents are angry, as they should be.

No one should have to visit a beach full of toxic blue green algae.

But taxpayers should be angry as well.

There are ways to solve environmental problems without costly land buys that kill jobs and put even more land onto government rolls.

Leslie Dougher, immediate past chairwoman of the Republican Party of Florida, is a Republican state committeewoman from Clay County.

Comments

Fix the problem instead of patching it,by sending the problem south

How about a Bridge in Brooklyn Joe????... Getcha a gud deal, you betcha!!!!!

As an expert recently told me--"I think that we must purchase land south of the lake and move water south or we will continue to destroy our estuaries. This water always flowed south before the lake was altered and the land south of the lake was drained. Property values along the estuaries and businesses along the coast have suffered greatly. This does not prevent agriculture south of the lake or destroy the communities south of the lake. We can have both storage and agriculture. Without it we are putting greater pressure on the berm around the lake and putting communities at greater risk along the rim of Lake Okeechobee."

Group think creates a big stink The greatest scientist in the world regarding algae blooms live in vero and work at harbor Branch. They are complete;y unanimous that the buying of land will not stop the algae blooms, only stopping reliance on old fashioned septic tanks and creating a sanitary waste water collection and treatment plant will stop the issues. it is common sense, but instead of the cities spending they bond money on coming to the future as a urban area and away from a rural mindset, they want mother government to take care of the issues and are lying to themselves. Leslie is right, so are the people who know this.

What a strange article. You realize that "buying" land is different from "taking" it, right?

Not if they make you sell

Would have thought that after the past few days, we had gotten over our "fear of government". Keeps us from eating each other alive.

About eight million people depend on a supply of clean drinking water in whatever right solution can be had for the sake of their health and just as important for the future of Florida's economy. The flow of water thru the Everglades ( a national park and a natural treasure is critical for the health of our citizens and Florida Bay. The best science is critical to this project, whether buying land both North and South to be used to cleanse the water, or whatever else is needed. This could be federal and state dollars bonded long term and part of Pres. Trump's and the Democrats plan for infrastructure spending. It will be expensive, but has to be done. Quit talking about it ( Governor Scott, Florida Legislature and Congress ) and get it done . We and our grandkids deserve action now!!!

As usual we are the red-headed step-child up here in the Panhandle. Y'all are even conniving to get our BP money when you weren't even affected. The 'Glades need restoring, but we need the Feds in on this project.

Senator means well. Remember, the crooked Everglades Foundation will exert their political poison into everything. All about them. Hypocrites! Thought Tudor Jones developed most of South Florida.........

Don't allow this land to go into Negron's control. The water must flow 24/7/365. The government , a few years ago, allowed farmers to move into that region and develop farming. They stopped the flow of water, not all, and when the brains finally woke up, the farmers were given other locations to grow their crops and to restore the flow.

This problem needs to be solved for the long term well being of our state. What is the best solution? Hard for us ordinary citizens to know. What is Negron's motive if not the best solution? I would really liked to know the answe to that question.

Negron, a very ambitious politician, is under a lot of pressure in his home district to solve this problem. By doing this he will be a hero and by the time the problems start and the truth comes out he will be far enough along that he won't care any more.

Meanwhile, Leslie Doolittle, sits at home waiting for her phone to ring with the message she's been waiting for!

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