LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Fall, 2007

Dear Members and Friends,

Welcome back to those of you who have been spending time with family and friends this summer. Those who have stayed tuned in to the Everglades environmental scene know that the last few months have been an unusual roller coaster ride of activity.  In June the Federal Court entered a final judgment in our Lake Okeechobee backpumping case – formally declaring the pumping illegal without federal pollution control permits. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) governing board, with four new members, voted against interim backpumping while they appeal the judgment. It was refreshing to finally hear the Governing Board grapple with environmental issues in more than the usual patronizing fashion. It bears noting that Friends’ Federal Court case and judgment dominated the discussion. This is the first time in thirty years that the state agency has said NO to Big Sugar! Remarkable! We have great hope for the newly constituted board and much appreciation for Governor Crist’s “new direction” appointments.

In another federal case brought by the National Parks Conservation Association, Senior Judge Hoeveler (the former “Everglades Case” Judge) shut down a couple of Miami-Dade County rock-mines and excoriated the Corps for failing to protect our drinking water supplies in their zeal to approve the permits which allowed the rock mines to open.

Before we induct the new Governor into the environmental hall of fame, however, it should be noted that his “green streak” has not remained unbroken. In filling out vacancies on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFFWCC), the state’s premier wildlife advocacy agency, Governor Crist gave his nod to the developers - reappointing Jacksonville construction company executive Kathy Barco and adding developer/land use attorney Kenneth Wright and Broward miner/developer Ron Bergeron. The FFWCC is now solidly in the construction and mining industry back pocket.  We can certainly expect more Endangered Species Act litigation going forward if the new Commission can’t find a way to rise above commercial self-interest.

Other issues that we are focusing on are opposing proposed new coal-fired power plants and expanded rock mining around the Everglades; supporting a new Everglades National Park Management Plan and a resumption of federal restoration funding; and finding ways to focus the new wave of “green” corporate thinking on the Everglades.  It is also critical that we all support and work to move the Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment forward. This constitutional

 “you’ll have to vote for everything” ravings of developer PAC hacks like “Floridians for
Do not be fooled by the “vote no - we’ll be good” pleas of these local planners or the Smarter Growth.”  Remove the power to approve growth planning changes from local politicians and you remove the political cash machine that drives bad decisions.

Beyond politics and litigation, we have been actively engaged in promoting the protection of our founder’s historic home, working to expand our Young Friends educational outreach and working with the many other environmental groups involved in Everglades preservation to set strategies and priorities.  As many of you know and have been following, after years of neglect and squabbles over possible relocation, the home of our founder, Marjory Stoneman Douglas, is now back in the hands of the State and we are continuing to lobby to get the house restored and open to the public. The most logical solution would be to establish and fund a support foundation to co-manage the property with the State.  We are currently seeking charter donations for this project.  If you or your company would be interested in donating please contact us at msdhouse@everglades.org.

Finally, I want to invite you to some of our upcoming events!  On November 17-18, 2007 Friends will be participating in the 67th Fairchild Tropical Garden Festival – The Ramble; in December we will have an informal “pot luck” friends and family picnic at Everglade National Park (date and time TBA); in the Spring we will be having our 2nd Annual Everglades Walk/Bike-a-thon at Shark Valley in Everglades National Park; and on April 13th you are invited to our 39th Founders Day celebration.  We deeply appreciate your commitment to Friends of the Everglades and our mission. There has never been a better time to be a member, renew membership, make donations or gift a membership to Friends of the Everglades! 

Thanks for your support.

Very Truly Yours,
David P. Reiner, II, President