Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/277189
A state constitutional amendment on the bal- lot in November would set aside an estimated $5 billion over the next 10 years for water and land conservation and habitat restoration. If approved, the Florida Water and Land Legacy initiative, Amendment 1 , w o u l d m e a n a f u t u r e w i t h m o r e parks, preserved nat- ural spaces and water restoration projects across the Sunshine State, from Sarasota Bay to the Everglades, said campaign direc- tor Will Abberger. The measure would be funded by a third of the revenue from documentary stamp fees, or doc stamps. The latter are state taxes paid when a home is sold or it changes ownership. Such a state fund- ing stream has been directed to environ- mental preservation efforts for more than a decade, but with $1.64 million in Florida Forever funding made possible the purchase of 71 acres for Sarasota's Red Bug Slough in 2002. During that year alone, $70 million was distributed throughout the state for conservation efforts. Photo by Roger Drouin PROPONENTS SAY APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT 1 IN NOVEMBER WOULD MEAN MORE CONSERVATION EFFORTS ACROSS THE SUNSHINE STATE, BUT A COUNTY COMMISSIONER WORRIES ABOUT ITS IMPACT ON OTHER PROJECTS REVENUE STREAMS It is not creating a new stream. It is taking money from where we need it. Christine Robinson Vice Chairwoman Sarasota County Commission By Roger Drouin County Editor