Monday, August 17, 2015

Two new Federal Actions just announced

Statement from Miami Pine Rocklands’ President Al Sunshine on two new Federal Actions just announced that are aimed at better protecting the Richmond Pine Rocklands' Globally- Imperiled Habitat, and the continuing plans for almost $1-Billion Dollars worth of development there.


"While these projects are important for Miami Dade and South Dade’s Economic Development, maintaining globally-imperiled "Life Boat" habitats for endangered plants and animals that used 

to thrive all over Miami Dade is even more important as we face critical climate issues like global warming and possible sea level issues in our own backyards.
 
If it was not for Federal Laws, and the U-S Department of Interiors’ Fish and Wildlife Service, Local Politicians and Developers would have already allowed bulldozing these unique 

environmental treasures for more urban sprawl.

Where's the local Poltical leadership working to save the Pine Rocklands and not pave them over? 

This has been going on for a year now,

But it seems as if not one elected state lawmaker is publically interested in preserving the Pine Rocjklands. 

Where's the Congressional outrage from our elected Washington lawmakers? 

We've seen 2 local Dade County Officials ask for Amendment 1 money from the Legislature to buy back the former UM South Campus from a Palm Beach Developer.

That was a very good start.

But that request has gone nowhere and the developer insists the land is not for sale.
 
Was the local request even a priority for Miami Dade County Lobbyists to pursue when they were last up in Tallahassee? 

Why have so many local lawmakers remained silent over the lack of interest by UM and Ram, the property’s new owner, to resolve these issues? 

With a new President at the University of Miami, can we get some real answers to claims "We didn't know it was an endangered Habitat”. 

That "doesn't wash” since we know in 1997 UM refused to allow the land to be listed on the local endangered lands program, refused to allow anyone to inspect the property, and reportedly 

threatened to sue anyone who wanted it listed as endangered? 

Then there's the 2006 articles in the schools' own Newspaper, "The Miami Hurricane”, reporting on environmental issues at the South Campus and the school's concern about developing it 

while it remained so environmentally unique.

And what about the 2006 settlement with the U-S Dept. of Justice to settle claims it contaminated the Pine Rocklands’ soil and water with radioactive waste from dead lab animals? 

UM's administration under former President Shalala has remained mostly silent. 

Under its’ new President, Dr. Julio Frenk, hopefully it will be more responsive to community concerns over its’ sale and planned developments on it's former South Campus. 

It's a $22 million dollar question (that's what it sold the land for) that needs to be answerred. 

As I’ve asked for almost a year now, why arent those questions being asked by a Federal or State Grand Jury? 

This globally imperilled habitat must be preserved and restored and NOT bulldozed and paved over. 

Where's the local elected leadership working to make this happen?

Our children and grandchildren are counting on us to leave them a legacy of what Miami used to look like. 

Not just traffic jams, strip malls and paved-over endangered forests with none of the rare plants and animals that live there today."

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