Public Hearing for the Richmond Pine Rocklands

We have two important announcements below to inform you about. First the Miami-Dade Commission Meeting set for Tuesday April 18th Discussing the Walmart/Ram Project. Next, Because of a refusal by the Federal Government to hold an open, public hearing in South Florida, a coalition of environmental groups have banded together to sponsor their own public hearing on April 25th at the Deering Estate.   Read these important announcements below! Action Alert: As of Yesterday, Wednesday April 12th, Miami Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has an item on next Tuesday's April 18th Miami Dade Commission Meeting about the Walmart/Ram Project. 2B MAYORAL REPORTS 2B1 170848 Report UPDATE ON FEDERAL AGENCY ACTIONS RELATED TO ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT - DIRECTIVE NO. 150052 (Mayor) WE NEED TO SPEAK OUT ON THIS ISSUE AND MONITOR POSSIBLE COMMISSION ACTION CLOSELY. Also, there will be a speaking opportunity to voice our continued concerns about the project and possible "issues" we have with allowing it to be built in an endangered pine rocklands. Mayoral report 2b1 federal action on endangered species is what we need to comment on during the public speaking section. We do NOT want an automatic release of the local permits IF the Feds issue "Take" permits to kill endangered species there. There are too many questions about possible omissions and possible mis-statements made in the zoning process. We want answers and a full public hearing locally by Miami Dade into how the land was allowed to be rezoned without ANY mention in the process of the endangered species there. We're facts Intentionally omitted or ignored so the land could be rezoned for a strip mall? Why when the um knew for a decade about endangered species there was it not disclosed tomiami Dade zoning officials? Why have Miami Dade environmental officials not allowed access to the property to conduct independent surveys of their own? In the zoning process was ere any disclosures of the nuclear waste violations there and massive federal clean ups and fines against U of Miami? Did Miami Dade know it was being asked to approve a huge development in a former radioactive contaminated site? Why were there no disclosures apparently made weeks before the zoning was changed, a federal register notice was published listing the land as endangered habitat to be protected under the endangered species act? Why did UM refuse years ago consider allowing the land to be bought byMiami Dade to be preserved, and reportedly threatened Miami Dade environmental workers with lawsuits? Too many remaining questions that must be answered before local building permits allow the bulldozers to start working there. Feel free to copy and distribute this and send out to all our Miami Dade Elected Officials BEFORE next Tuesday's meeting. Our voices must be heard and developers /lobbyists $$$$ shouldn't silence them. Breaking News: Following the Federal Governments' refusal to hold an open, public hearing in South Florida, a coalition of environmental groups have  banded together to sponsor their own Public Hearings. The event is scheduled for April 25 at Deering Estate from 6 thru 8 pm. Details to follow. The Public Hearing is aimed at allowing local residents the opportunity to learn about the pending Coal Reef Commons project proposed in the globally imperiled Richmond Pine Rocklands. The project includes a Walmart, 900 unit apartment complex and strip mall. A formal comment period for public statements runs thru May 22nd. While federal officials are soliciting comments online and thru the mail, they have declined to schedule a public hearing reportedly saying it's not cost effective. The Public hearing at Deering is being sponsored by a collation of environmental groups at their own expense. Donations are welcome. More info will follow as the Pine Rocklands Public Hearing approaches. Our voices will be heard. "Save  it don't Pave It" Please distribute this information as widely as possible.