Charlotte Harbor Group
Charlotte Harbor Group
Sierra Club
Greater Charlotte Harbor Group
PO Box 27221
ElJobean, FL
33927-7221
(941) 276-4219
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Fresh water turtles in Florida are slow growing and very few reach breeding age. Many turtle species are dwindling in number, we need turtles for a healthy ecosystem in our lakes, rivers and canals. There is a huge Asian market for these turtles (they have decimated their own turtle population). The trot lines that were put down in our canals in Nov. had as many as 500 hooks on them and caught all kinds of fish, turtles, possibly diving water birds, otters and any other creatures that took their bait.
Please, take a few minutes and send an email to the Commissioners asking for a total ban on harvesting Florida turtles.
Address emails or letters to: Mr. Rodney Barreto, Chairman
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
620 S. Meridian St.
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
commissioners@MyFWC.com
Mr. Ken Haddad, Executive Director
Same address
ken.haddad@MyFWC.com
turtles@MyFWC.com
For immediate release: March 13, 2009
Contact: Patricia Behnke, 850-251-2130
Photos and related materials: Go to MyFWC.com<<http://www.myfwc.com/>> and
click on "Newsroom."
FWC staff proposes the country's strongest conservation measures for
freshwater turtles
After months of reviewing and discussing the issue of freshwater
turtle harvest in Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC) staff will present a draft rule at the Commission meeting in
Tallahassee on April 15.
"Staff is proposing a draft rule that represents the most
comprehensive set of protections and conservation measures for freshwater
turtles in the United States," said Tim Breault, the FWC's director of
Habitat and Species Conservation. "Few places in North America have the rich
diversity of turtles that we have here in Florida, and this proposed rule
ensures their long-term survival."
The draft rule would ban the commercial take or sale of wild freshwater
turtles. The draft rule also would prohibit taking turtles from the wild
that are listed on Florida's imperiled species list, as well as species that
look similar to the imperiled species, which include common snapping turtles
and cooters. In addition, the collection of eggs would be prohibited.
Individuals would be allowed to take one freshwater turtle per day per
person from the wild for noncommercial use. The transport of more than one
turtle per day would be prohibited.
Some turtle farms currently depend on the collection of wild freshwater
turtles. Under the proposed draft rule, turtle farms, under a tightly
controlled process, would be allowed to collect turtles for breeding
purposes for a two-year period. However, staff is proposing a review of this
process by 2011, and turtle collection for farms will end if no further
action is taken by the Commission after the review.
The FWC has an open, public process for developing rules. Commissioners will consider this draft rule at the April 15 Commission meeting. If approved, the rule would be advertised for a final hearing at the June Commission meeting in Crystal River. The public may submit comments to the FWC any time during this rulemaking process and may testify at Commission meetings. The public may send comments on the draft rule to turtles@MyFWC.com
The Omnibus Wilderness Bill - S.22 - that failed last week in the House by 2 votes - has been returned to the Senate due to some revisions in the original bill. Which means it gets a second chance. Below is a sample email.
CONTACT: Use this LINK to e-mail Senator Martinez or call his office at: (202) 224-3041
Dear Senator Martinez, I just learned that S.22, the omnibus bill that would, if passed, protect over 2 million acres of public lands through wilderness designation, is coming up for a vote once again in the Senate. While this bill has been denounced by those who see it as 'restricting their freedom and rights' to drive motorized vehicles across America's continuously shrinking natural lands, others, and I believe the vast majority of your constituents, view this bill simply as a wise use of the Wilderness Act of 1964 to preserve intact important parts of America's natural heritage. Here in our own state, in south Florida, off-road vehicles have turned vast swaths of the incredible Big Cypress National Preserve into a landscape that resembles the surface of the moon. Although not included in the current bill, Big Cypress well illustrates the effects of motorized use on sensitive habitats. It will take decades if not hundreds of years for this land to recover. The compaction and oxidation of soils, changes in hydrology, and destruction of plant roots and vegetation caused by motor vehicles have all been enormous. In addition, aversive behavior in animals, from native frogs to the critically endangered Florida panther in response to motorized vehicles, have been well documented. Floridians and visitors longing to experience the peace and tranquility of natural Florida are instead confronted with noise, vehicle exhaust, and in some cases, a landscape damaged beyond recognition. Please vote in favor of S.22 and the increased protection of America's natural heritage and remaining wildlands. Matthew Schwartz Political Chair and Everglades Issues Chair Broward Group of the Sierra Club
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DELEGATION MEMBERS | |||
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House Members: |
Senate Members: | ||
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Rep. Ken Roberson 941-613-0914 or 850-488-0060 Assistant is Jae Williams Rep. Paige Kreegel 941-575-5820 or 850-488-9175 Assistant is Zac Burch Rep. Gary Aubuchon 239-344-4900 or 850-488-7433 |
District 71
District 72
District 74 |
Sen. Mike Bennett 800-500-1239 or fax 941-727-6352 Sen. Nancy Detert 850-487-5081 or call 941-480-3549 Sen. Dave Aronberg 239-338-2646 or call 850-487-5356 |
District 21
District 23
District 27 |
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Party |
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Local
Phone |
Email
Address |
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Rep. Ellyn
Bogdanoff |
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(850)
488-0635 |
ellyn.bogdanoff@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. James Bush
III |
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(850)
488-0625 |
james.bush@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Dean
Cannon |
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(850)
488-2742 |
dean.cannon@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Faye
Culp |
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(850)
488-2770 |
faye.culp@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Greg
Evers |
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(850)
488-8188 |
greg.evers@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Bill Galvano |
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(850)
488-4086 |
bill.galvano@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Denise
Grimsley |
Sebring |
(850)
488-3457 |
denise.grimsley@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Doug
Holder |
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(850)
488-1171 |
doug.holder@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Ed
Homan |
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(850)
488-3087 |
ed.homan@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Matt
Hudson |
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(850)
488-1028 |
matt.hudson@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Marcelo
Llorente |
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(850)
488-5047 |
marcelo.llorente@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Dave
Murzin |
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(850)
488-8278 |
dave.murzin@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Peter
Nehr |
Tarpon
Springs |
(850)
488-5580 |
peter.nehr@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Scott
Randolph |
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(850)
488-0660 |
scott.randolph@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel
Vasilinda |
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(850)
488-0965 |
michelle.rehwinkel@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. David
Rivera |
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(850)
488-7897 |
david.rivera@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Julio
Robaina |
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(850)
488-6506 |
julio.robaina@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Yolly Roberson
(Y) |
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(850)
488-7088 |
yolly.roberson@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Hazelle 'Hazel' |
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(850)
488-8234 |
hazelle.rogers@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Darryl
Rouson |
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(850)
488-0925 |
darryl.rouson@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Kelli
Stargel |
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(850)
488-2270 |
kelli.stargel@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Baxter G.
Troutman |
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(850) 488
9465 |
baxter.troutman@myfloridahouse.gov |
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Rep. Alan B. Williams
(A) |
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(850)
488-1798 |
alan.williams@myfloridahouse.gov |
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