GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND TRANSPORTATION
The basic needs of humans for food, water, and shelter are the same for birds and other wildlife. Because of population growth, the needs of birds and other wildlife are often discounted. Population growth has contributed to the fragmentation of forests, encroachment on wetlands, crowded parks, and destroyed wildlife habitat.
Since 1900 the population growth in the United States has tripled and by 2050 it could double the current number again. Population growth is determined for the most part by the number of new births, increased longevity of residents, and governmental policies regarding immigration. Increasing numbers of people need more housing, more day care and schools, more vehicles, more roads, more sewage lines, more water treatment facilities, more trash collection and waste management facilities as well as expansion of other governmental resources.
The distribution of population is not evenly spaced across the country and some regions become more heavily populated than others. Florida is one of the faster growing states and its resources are becoming stretched. Land is being swept up by developers to construct more housing units. Limited water supplies for current residents will be challenged more and more. As population grows, more drivers mean more cars on the road that devour limited gas and oil supplies, pollute the air, and slow traffic. Fast traveling traffic on roadways near bird and other wildlife habitats kill and maims. Florida's ecosystems that support wildlife are being continually threatened despite the Florida Forever environmental protection momentum that had been built up since the late 1990s. See more details at the National Audubon Society website in its section on Population and Habitat (http://www.audubonpopulation.org/).
Transportation Efficiency Act
(CLEAN-TEA Senate Bill 575)
Transportation for America and South Florida Audubon Society share goals related to global climate change, land use planning, and public transportation. Their current efforts are related to CLEAN-TEA (Senate Bill 575). They are seeking additional co-sponsors among legistators. Visit their website at www.t4america.org to learn about this organization. Click here to see talking points for discussions with senators and for a sample letter click here. Finally to see the Transportation and Land Use White Paper produced by ULI Central Florida, click here.
AUDUBON OF FLORIDA (http://www.audubonofflorida.org/)
The 2009 Priorities and Campaigns of Audubon of Florida regarding Growth Management and Transportation are as follows:
- Focus state policies on filling in urban areas and increasing public participation in regional planning.
- Urge state agencies, led by the Florida Department of Community Affairs, to have an increased role in guiding the state's growth, and assuring that isolated local decisions do not destroy natural resources vital to the people of the entire state.
- Focus state growth management oversight on ecosystems and natural areas.
- Advocate a greater role for state agencies in protecting resources of regional or statewide concern, and protecting key environmental restoration projects, such as in the Everglades.
- Initiate and support innovative approaches to land use planning that take advantage of transfer of development rights and green space preservation-type approaches to setting aside conservation areas and rural and farm lands.
BROWARD COUNTY
(http://www.broward.org/)
Broward Department of Environmental Protection and Growth Management is active in educating its citizens about environmental awareness and environmental health.
Broward Department of Transportation in 2008 sought public input on its 2009-2018 Transit Development Plan for future public transit services. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) requires long range planning by counties interested in Public Transit Block Grant funding that can help bring plans to reality. As the economy becomes more viable the possibilities of improving public transportation can come to fruition.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Join -- If you are not already a member of Audubon, join. Increased membership is important when recommending policies to congressional leaders. Also you will be joining other nature lovers who care about conserving and protecting wildlife habitats. Click here for the membership form.
Donate -- If you can contribute over and beyond the small introductory membership fee, do so to help Audubon fund its campaigns to conserve and protect wildlife habitats.
Learn more -- Read, attend meetings, and discuss environmental issues.
Participate -- Become a "take action" member of Audubon. Sign up to receive emails with details of pending issues that need letters or calls to your representative in Congress. Click here to link with Audubon of Florida and its Action Alerts.
Promote growth management and public transportation -- In your discussions with friends and neighbors, inform them of the consequences of uncontrolled growth and lack of adequate public transportation.
Tri-Rail in Jeopardy
Tri-Rail's survival depends on adequate funding that is currently in the hands of legislators. By October 2009 without this needed funding, services would have to be cut on weekends and holidays and fewer trains operating during the week. For an update, click here.