| Legislative Alert of the “Florida Springs and Aquifer Act”
In previous newsletters, CPR has reported on Senate Bill 1576, “An act related to springs.” (For details, please re-read CPR’s newsletter dated March 18.)
CPR’s analysis of SB 1576 was presented to the Senate Committee on Environmental Protection and Conservation. Our position covered two points: (1) there is no scientific basis for further regulating septic systems, and (2) creating a “Responsible Management Entity” (RME) tasked with “managing” septic systems simply adds an unnecessary, redundant and expensive layer of government.
Despite this testimony from CPR, all members of the committee voted in favor.
On March 31, at 4 p.m., the Senate Agricultural Committee will be the next to hear SB 1576.
Before that committee meets, you need to understand what an RME is and it seriously threatens private property rights. Once you understand what it is, you will want to contact the legislators that sit on the Agricultural Committee and express your opinion.
CPR has reviewed the Senate Committee’s analysis of how an RME, run by un-elected, appointed bureaucrats might manage your septic system (OSTDS) on your property. CPR now believes it is critical that every homeowner understand that the RME concept poses a dangerous threat to private property rights. Read the following excerpts from the legislative analysis itself:
“RMEs are entities that have responsibilities for local OSTDS operation and maintenance, typically in environmentally sensitive areas or areas with dense clusters of OSTDSs. The EPA has described two types of RME models. In Model 4, referred to as the Operation and Maintenance Model, the RME is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the OSTDSs within its jurisdiction. The RME, instead of the owner, receives the permit for the OSTDS with the intent of providing greater assurance of control over performance compliance. The owner of the OSTDS pays a fee for the RME to regularly inspect and maintain the owner’s OSTDS.
In Model 5, referred to as the Ownership Model, the RME owns, operates, and manages the OSTDSs in a manner similar to central sewer. One advantage of this model is that it allows the RME to more easily replace existing systems with higher-performance units or clustered systems when necessary. The RME Ownership Model relieves the property owner of responsibility for the system and it provides the greatest assurance of system performance in sensitive environments. This model is more expensive for the property owner.”
In other words, the RME positions your septic system for government takeover through either total maintenance or ownership.
Additionally, it should be noted there is already a law in the Florida’s Statutes that outlines a program to evaluate and remediate septic systems by counties and cities. SB 1576 seeks to repeal this and replace it with the RME.
To review this inspection and maintenance statute, visit Online Sunshine and click “Florida Statutes.” Then type 381.00651 into the search engine.
Property owners should look carefully at SB 1576 and be very wary of it and those who support it. If you would like to express your thoughts about SB 1576 to the members of the Agriculture Committee, please do so before the Monday meeting.
Here are the committee members:
You may also find them by using the following link:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/AG/ .
Or, you may visit www.flsenate.gov. On the white toolbar click on “Committees,” and then click on “Agriculture.” There you will find the Senators on that committee with access to their Tallahassee office phone number and email address.
In expressing your thoughts to the Senators via email, please copy: info@proprights.com. Thank you! Keep this quote in mind:
“It is sufficiently obvious, that persons and property are the two great subjects on which Governments are to act; and that the rights of persons, and the rights of property, are the objects, for the protection of which Government was instituted. These rights cannot well be separated.”
–James Madison, Speech at the Virginia Convention, 1829
Finally, you can help CPR fight to promote and protect private property rights by donating to CPR. Your private property rights are at stake and we need you and your financial support.
Please help today by:
*Sending a donation to Coalition for Property Rights to 2878 S. Osceola Ave., Orlando, FL 32806 or
*Visiting our website: www. proprights.com and use our PayPal account by clicking on the donate button.
Please remember, your contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250 or more is tax deductible. Once your donation is received, CPR will send you a receipt for your records.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Dan Peterson, Executive Director
info@proprights.com
407-481-2289 |
