Citizen Participation Why it matters

All environmental laws rely on the involvement of citizens and citizen organizations in the implementation, monitoring, enforcement and public use of laws and environmental protection procedures. In virtually every major policy dispute over environmental laws, including land use and growth management controversies, citizens and environmental organizations have won important victories and played a crucial role as "third parties", interveners, or petitioners. The right to citizen participation is called Citizen Standing and is part of the Florida Environmental Protection Act (FEPA).

Legislative Update:

Unfortunately, Sen. Jim King, designated Senate President, had the power to push through his bill, S. 270.  However, we were able to significantly weaken the final bill by allowing standing for most citizen groups.  Also, Pruitt's S. 280 was not allowed out of committee.  Thanks, Sen. Tom Lee.

The Florida Environmental Protection Act of 1971 allows any citizen to ask for an injunction to compel governmental entities to enforce laws, rules, and regulations that protect the air, water, and other natural resources of the state. The act also allows citizens to seek injunctive relief against any person, corporation, or governmental entity to stop violations of laws, rules, or regulations that protect the environment.Before using this power, citizens are required to first file a complaint with the appropriate government agency and wait 30 days.

Polluters and industry have been increasingly de-regulating the environment, usually to maximize profits and to abuse and exploit our natural resources. In many legislative and legal battlegrounds, FCAN and other organizations are fighting to stop or mitigate the damage. Our ability to use Citizen Standing is critical to success. Now this invaluable tool is under attack from developers, polluters, and others that fear citizen participation in government processes.

Citizen Standing Under Attack in the 2002 Legislature

In the 2002 Legislature bills have been introduced to weaken Citizen Standing. Senate Bill 270, sponsored by Senator Jim King, would amend Floridas Environmental Protection Act to prohibit citizens frominstituting, initiating, petitioning for, or requesting an administrative proceeding seeking to enforce our environmental laws. This would roll back thirty years of good environmental work and take away citizens rights.Senate Bill 280, sponsored by Senator Ken Pruitt, would change the Administrative Procedures Act to make it more difficult and more costly for citizens to question state action.We urge FCAN members to contact their State Senators to oppose these bills

Call, Write or Fax your Senators Check FCANs web site for links to the Florida Senate and look up your Senator. Currently, we need input to these members of the Senate Natural Resources Committee:

Letter writing tips:

Be brief
One topic
Oppose Senate bills 270 and 280
Support Citizen Standing
Mention personal experience
ask for a reply