April 28, 2021
Sierra Club Florida Statement on SB 100
Sierra Club Florida did not support SB 100 because the bill did not stop all of the roads at the heart of M-CORES. As such, we cannot proclaim that its passage and expected signing by the Governor is a triumph. Getting rid of 1 out of 3 new toll roads is certainly progress, but it is not victory. SB 100 still leaves North Florida and the natural resources upon which it depends at risk.
Those who have worked hard and long to end M-CORES
should be encouraged by the steps forward. Our collective work led to the
demise of the toll road that would have imperiled the Western Everglades and
existentially threatened the Florida panther. This is an enormous relief.
But this fight isn't over. We must press on together to protect our natural resources and local communities.
What SB 100 does and does not do:
1. Eliminates
the M-CORES program but not all the roads included in the
program.
2. Eliminates
the Southwest-Central Florida Connector in its entirety.
3. Keeps the Northern Turnpike
extension on the books with a different timetable.
4. Does not eliminate the
threat previously presented by the M-CORES Suncoast Connector.
5. Provides US-19
north from the terminus of the Suncoast Parkway to I-10 as a way
to replace the M-CORES Suncoast Connector.
6. Includes the M-CORES
task force recommendation of avoiding conservation lands with respect to
upgrades of arterial highways, but only "to the greatest extent
practicable," and not specifically to the US 19 project.
7. Frees up money
once earmarked for M-CORES to be available for needed road projects
throughout the state.
