How FDEP’s kept public input out when they gave Wulfert Flats lease to
To the Editor:
Gov. Crist’s actions in wanting to have open access and public input to government is thwarted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
I have requested many times for open access to documents that the DEP had about who in Lee County authorized the DEP to ask for a 25-year lease for Wulfert Flats, in the name of Lee County Commissioners, that was sent to Florida Attorney Generals Office in April 17, 2008.
The FDEP sent a request to the Office of Attorney General on April 17 , 2008, stating that Lee County Commissioners had requested an extended 25-year lease for Wulfert Flats. In the request the Lee County Commissioners were supposed to have wanted this lease for the 474 acres of Wulfert Flats for a proposed no motor zone. Also the letter claimed that the BoCC is implementing the no motor zone to satisfy mitigation and public interests. The letter written by FDEP goes on to say that it will provide the public with protected recreational area for kayaking, fishing, etc., and that the USF&WS would mange all of Wulfert Flats.
On April 18 an FDEP notice was published in a Lee County newspapers about the dredging of Blind Pass and the possible use of a no motor zone located near Wulfert Keys, this notice was paid for by our tourist council bed taxes. Nothing, however, was said about the FDEP’s planned take over of Wulfert Flats by USF&WS even though the request, along with all the apparent made-up stories of Lee County Commissioner’s requests, appeared in the Office Our Attorney General.
On June 6, 2008, Lee County was notified by the FDEP in a letter that it was giving them a 25-year lease for Wulfert Flats and that they had no choice and that USF&WS was going to mange it.
Folks, I guess that FDEP doesn’t give a darn about public input or even Lee County’s charter government which clearly states that the power to make leases belongs to the county commissioners which requires meetings and negotiations before the adoption of any lease.
Gov. Crist, it would appear that you have your work cut out for yourself if you are going to make anyone believe that you really are serious about open access to government with real public input when you allow the FDEP to lie about what is going on to the attorney general’s office?
It is time that folks paid attention to what goes on behind the closed doors of our government, FDEP when will there be sunshine in your organization?
Sincerely,
Leo Amos
Matlacha