Vote Yes on Conservation 20/20
To the editor:
20/20 lands protects water and drinking resources for the projected 2 million people who will live here by 2040. It provides wildlife habitat and passive recreational opportunities for residents and tourists.
A clean unspoiled environment is considered one of the top five reasons people chose to visit Lee County which helps to bring in almost $3 billion in environmental and tourist dollars.
Conservation 20/20 helps reduce flood insurance rates within Lee County and undeveloped lands and helps to provide flood protection for residences and businesses.
Properties adjacent to environmental lands expands tax revenues. Tax revenues are not compromised. For every 2-1/2 acres of conservation lands bought a full-time job is created.
A non-binding referendum means that the county commissioners control it. They can vote it down, vote on lands that need to be bought, and use revenues for other purposes, etc. 20/20 is very well controlled.
Nominated lands go through a scoring process by a county committee. Purchases must preserve and protect water and wildlife. This committee recommends high scoring lands which the commissioners vote on and have a right to reject. The price is based on two independent appraisals with the county usually opting for the least expensive one.
There is no doubt, vote yes on 20/20 in November. Save our environmental lands to give us a beautiful county and protect our water.
C. Veaux
Cape Coral