Tallahassee makes another run at killing Hillsborough’s EPC environmental agency
March 9, 2009 at 11:35 am by Wayne GarciaThe weather is warming, the oak pollen is covering the ground in dark mustard yellow, so it must be time for the annual attempt by state lawmakers to kill the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission.
From TBO.com:
State Reps. Rich Glorioso, R-Plant City, and Faye Culp, R-Tampa, say the county panel duplicates work done by state and regional agencies and creates obstacles for developers. They cite complaints from builders who have to get permits to fill wetlands from the local panel, as well as from state and federal regulators.
“I say we’ve got three organizations looking and doing the same thing. Why?” Glorioso asked Friday.
Culp, at a Feb. 27 House committee meeting, said she would like to “wave a magic wand and delete” the EPC.
Civic watchdog and former Hillsborough County Commission candidate says longtime EPC foe Frank Matthews is behind this attempt and the past ones.
“Behind this initiative is Frank Matthews representing statewide development interests,” said Layne, who lobbies against such laws in Tallahassee for her Coalition 4 Responsible Growth. “This is the same attorney that came into Hillsborough County over a year ago and tried to abolish EPC through a number of the County Commissioners. As you know, the public’s interest prevailed so far, but this is a very dangerous session. The Legislators are looking at putting Florida Forever on permanent hold to abolishing the Department of Community Affairs (our state’s growth management watchdog) to waiving impact fees and concurrency for transportation and schools. All in the name of economic stimulus.”
