For Immediate Release

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

Contact
Sarah Bascom, sarah@bascomllc.com, 850.294.6636
Kelsey Swithers, kelsey@bascomllc.com, 941.400.8183

Local Governments & Entities Praise House Agriculture & Natural Resources
Appropriations Subcommittee for Passing House Bill 447
Florida Keys Stewardship Act Invests in Florida Keys Most Significant Environmental Needs
Monroe County, Fla. Local governments and entities in Monroe County, Fla., today praised the
House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee for passing House Bill 447,
sponsored by Representative Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo). Also known as the Florida Keys
Stewardship Act, HB 447 will invest $25 million each year for 10 years into water quality, restoration
and protection; water supply protection; and land for critical habitat protection, public safety in case of
an evacuation, property rights and military base protection.
The companion bill, Senate Bill 770, which is sponsored by Senator Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby), is
slated to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government.
We are truly grateful that the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee
passed this important piece of legislation out of their committee today, said Mayor Heather Carruthers
of Monroe County. This Act will make critical investments in the Keys one-of-a-kind environment,
protecting and preserving it for future generations of Floridians, and will ensure that the Keys tourism,
military, and commercial and recreational fishing industries continue to flourish for years to come. Also,
a thank you is in order for the Florida House, who included this integral funding in their budget proposal
for Fiscal Year 2016-17.
This legislation takes into consideration not only the unique environmental needs of the Florida Keys,
but also its high economic value, said Mayor Craig Cates of the City of Key West. Thank you to the
committee members who voted favorably on this legislation today. We look forward to working with the
Florida Legislature as this proposal continues through the process.
Theres no other place in the world like the Florida Keys, said Mayor Mark Senmartin of the City of
Marathon. It is the Keys unique and diverse environment, as well as its embodiment of the laid-back,
Florida lifestyle, that truly makes it incomparable. We are grateful to the committee for recognizing this
today and voting in favor of this legislation.
On behalf of the Council of Islamorada, Village of Islands, I applaud the committee for advancing HB
447, said Mayor Deb Gillis of Islamorada. We cherish the Florida Keys because it is our home, but it
is also home to many species and habitats that cant be found any where else in the world. Therefore, we
wholeheartedly believe that the investments made through the Florida Keys Stewardship Act are
essential to guaranteeing the well-being and vitality of the Florida Keys.

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The significant return on investment this initiative would have for the state cannot be understated, said
Mayor Jerry Ellis of the City of Key Colony Beach. The Florida Keys tropical island atmosphere,
numerous national and state parks, a national marine sanctuary, wildlife refuges, state aquatic preserves,
world-class fishing, and the worlds third-largest barrier reef draws visitors from across the state, nation
and world, generating considerable tax revenue for the entire state. We are thankful that HB 447 was
voted on favorably today by the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations
Subcommittee.
Thank you to the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee for
supporting this smart measure, said Chairman Dave Asdourian of the Key Largo Wastewater Treatment
District Board of Commissioners. HB 447 is critical to safeguarding the clear ocean waters and diverse
sea life of the Florida Keys, and we will continue to support this measure as it makes its way through the
legislative process.
The Florida Keys needs to look toward the future, enhancing its water supply to support current and
future Floridians, said Chairman J. Robert Dean of the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority Board of
Directors. This Act is greatly needed and will provide the means necessary for the Keys to invest in
water supply protection. We are grateful that the committee supported this good bill today.
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