SIMA/Surfrider Joint Letter to Florida's Governor Bush

Link:
On September 7th, Florida's Governor Bush published Executive Order 05-178 to create a 19 member Coastal High Hazard Committee . This committee was commissioned to study and formulate recommendations for managing growth in Coastal High Hazard Areas, which are defined as the Category 1 hurricane evacuation zones.

However, this committee did not include a single recreational delegate even though a large portion of Florida's revenue is from recreational tourism. The new Treasure Coast Chapter on September 21, 2005, received great support with a little pioneer activism from both Surfrider National and SIMA Environmental Fund President Paul Naude, Billabong CEO (Surf Industry Manufacturers Association). A portion of the joint letter sent stated:

The preservation of surf breaks and surfing’s cultural heritage is synonymous with Florida coastal resources. We find the Committee to discuss Florida’s coastal management policies to be skewed. This is a serious concern, economically, recreationally and ecologically. It would be in the best interest of the State to amend this committee to include a delegate from the surfing community. Currently, Florida is at the top of the charts in the pro-surfing circuit, producing Kelly Slater, a 6 time world champion, CJ Hobgood, the 2001 World Champion, and Floridians hold 5 spots on the Top 30 International circuit, and recently were the X-Games Champions defeating Hawaii and California.

While the response letter from Bush's office was less than helpful, the Florida chapters have taken matters into their own hands. Chapters are working together to ensure that each of the 5 public hearing meetings across the state, over a 3 month period, have chapter executives and members present to voice concerns as stakeholders in the coastal management process.

The committee's reccomendations will be presented to the Governor in February.

Anyone wishing to get involved or receive more info please email the Treasure Coast Chapter.

Stay tuned....