I wanted to address that this isn't just about our drinking water supply (that should be enough!), but Florida's biggest $-making industry. Eco-Tourism: Is it worth the cost of keeping down the pollution levels in Florida's water systems? Florida emerged in the mid-19th century as a tourist attraction for the elite" and in the later 19th century became accessible to middle class. "Florida was "flush with wildlife" and "Nature was Florida's attraction." "1860s JAX was the hub of tourism"àSt Johns River was clean. "50,000 visitors a year to Silver Springs" – Silver Springs has been degraded by massive development. A 2001 Survey showed that land visits to man-made areas, such as Disney World and Busch Gardens, only garnered 28% of tourists whereas lakes and streams received 63%.[i] The 2001 Survey revealed that nearly 4.9 million Florida residents and nonresidents 16 years old and older fished, hunted, or wildlife watched in Florida. Of the total number of participants, 3.1 million fished, 226 thousand hunted, and 3.2 million participated in wildlife-watching activities, including observing, feeding, and photographing wildlife. Expenditures in Florida In 2001, state residents and nonresidents pent $6.2 billion on wildlife recreation in FL. Wildlife Watching 67% Fishing 64% Hunting 5% + Florida`s springs are the largest by volume in the world, giving birth to and supporting entire river eco-systems like the Suwannee and the Santa Fe. Springs come from the ground water. The highest concentration of springs is located in north-central Florida where the aquifer is closest to the surface. Water is fundamental to our economy and the well-being of our citizens. A 1995 report ranked Florida first in the nation in terms of risk of ecosystem loss and second in terms of percentage of species at risk. "What will Florida look like, in this issue area, in the next five years?" + Commission of Tourism AND Planning for ecotourism and heritage tourism A state study concluded that a regional tourism-promotion plan could foster positive economic development in rural counties. The governor of Florida, as the Commission of Tourism chair, appointed an advisory committee with members, who represented both the public and private sector, including: · Department of Agriculture's Division of Forestry · Department of Recreation and Parks · Department of Community Affairs · Department of Transportation
· Florida Greenways Coordinating Council · Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission · Division of Historical Resources · Additional representatives from other federal, state, regional, local, and private-sector associations. Activities included in ecotourism: · Nature-based tours · Managed access to sanctuaries · Wildlife viewing · Nature-based attractions · Visitation to natural areas such as beaches, forests, lakes and greenways · Outdoor recreational activities such as hiking,canoeing, snorkeling, horseback riding, boating, diving, kayaking, biking,fishing, etc. · Native American reservations - The importance of Planning for ecotourism and heritage tourism is represented in the state study that concluded a regional tourism-promotion plan could foster positive economic development in rural counties. Economic Impact of Florida Springs on Surrounding Local Areas Here is a web-link to the executive summary of the Economic Impact of Selected Florida Springs on Surrounding Local Areas by Dr. Mark A. Bonn, Dedman School of Hospitality, College of Business at FSU and Dr. Frederick W. Bell, Department of Economics at FSU for The Florida Department of Environmental Protection Division of State Lands Florida Springs Task Force, April 10, 2003. http://www.floridadep.org/springs/reports/EconomicImpactStudy.doc + David Pope chair of the SRWMD governing board is on the Alachua chamber of commerce and the CEO - Council for Economic Outreach. - Used to manage the Waco property in cattle before all the development began. - Appointed to the Waco board. So he has interest in expanding the economic base/the tax rolls of the city. - But Land use should not be governed by the tax rolls – the tax from sales receipts of a WMSC next tp I-75 in FL - Ecosystem Management - land uses should be integrated in ways that protect natural ecosystem functions while allowing beneficial uses that meet human needs. Via Email jeb.bush@my.com Phone/Fax Phone: 850/488/7146
Fax: 850-487-0801 Mailing Address Governor Jeb Bush ATTN: Rex Newman The Capitol
400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399 The Attorney General can be reached at: Main office mailing address Office of Attorney General Charlie Crist
State of Florida
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1050 Main office telephone numbers Switchboard: 850-414-3300
Citizens Services: 850-414-3990
Florida Relay/TDD: 800-955-8771
Florida Toll Free: 1-866-966-7226
Fax: 850-410-1630
Sun Fax: 210-1630 There is no a-mail address listed, but an online request can be sent at: http://myfloridalegal.com/contact.nsf/contact?Open&Section=Attorney_General
Best Wishes and Happy Summer Solstice! Jeannette Hinsdale | 
