Posted: | January 25, 2017 03:19 PM |
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From: | Representative Tina M. Davis |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Transparency in the Purchase of Wetlands Act (Former House Bill 333) |
In the near future, I plan to reintroduce House Bill 333 of the 2015-16 Legislative Session which would create the Transparency in the Purchase of Wetlands Act. This act would require, ninety days prior to the purchase of land by the Department of General Services (DGS) for the purpose of preserving or mitigating wetlands as required by federal law, DGS to hold a public hearing within the political subdivision where the wetlands are located. This legislation would also require ten days’ notice of the hearing in a newspaper within the political subdivision where the wetlands are located. A couple of years ago, DGS purchased a stretch of riverfront property in my legislative district. To the best of my knowledge, this transaction was completed without DGS gaining the public input of those individuals residing within the municipality where the land was purchased. As a result, numerous constituents, uninformed of this action taking place in their backyards, expressed their frustration and disappointment. The enactment of this legislation will provide for transparency and notification as well as allow for discussions regarding waterfront development and wetland mitigation which should be of primary concern to all residents. Therefore, I ask for your consideration and co-sponsorship. |
Introduced as HB797