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Florida's elements
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Location: Blogs Now We're Talking |
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| Posted by: Joe Byrnes |
5/30/2007 9:16 PM |
Earth, wind, fire and water. The old elements are a litany of political and environmental questions - and dangers - facing Florida.
Earth. Beginning June 12, the Legislature convenes to consider cutting the taxes we pay for our little patches of Earth. They have risen along with land and home values. Local governments, meanwhile, fear losing essential revenues.
There's nothing more earthy than the gopher tortoise. Also that week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will take up a management plan for the tortoise, whose tunnels provide refuge for 360 other species. The new rules will not permit bulldozing them in their burrows.
Wind. The Atlantic hurricane season begins Friday, and the National Hurricane Center predicts a rough one: 13-17 named storms, including 7-10 hurricanes and 3-5 major ones. It's time to have a hurricane plan, collect our emergency supplies and ready our homes.
Fire. So far this year, 2,641 wildfires have burned 358,334 acres. Marion County, though spared major fires, continues to have a ban on outdoor burning.
Water. Weather experts warn of dangerous rip currents along Northeast Florida beaches. All those kids fresh from school should stay out of the surf.
Here in Marion County, water is big news, with a three-year study pointing to serious deficits down the road and other counties eyeing our surface water. At the same time, the County Commission is taking important steps toward protecting the quality of our freshwater springs.
Joe Byrnes may be reached at joe@ocala.com or (352) 867-4112. |
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