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🔥 IMPORTANT Message🔥
from the Pasco County
DECF President, Marilyn Holleran
Hello Everyone -
We have four environmental issues to lobby our FL State legislators this week. And we have phone/email scripts to call /send to our Pasco Republican Representatives and Senators in the State Legislature as well as one issue to lobby the Pasco Board of County Commissioners. The end of the Florida legislative session is March 13th.We must act NOW prior to our legislator’s final votes.
Here’s the four issues:
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The State DECF’s list of bills the caucus supports and bills the caucus opposes
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Legislation in the FL Legislature regarding AI Data Centers
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The “Blue Ribbon” bills which strips local governments’ rights to control development
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A Tree Ordinance Public Hearing before the County Commission that would allow developers almost unlimited freedom to clear cut trees with a ridiculously low “penalty”. Sign the petition to oppose. Show up Tuesday March 24th at 1:15pm.
To get started: Here's the link to a google spreadsheet with the contact info for the State Reps, Senators as well as the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
with columns for each of the actions we will be taking. Before you take one of these actions
please put your name in the appropriate cell, so that everyone knows who is doing what.
And then, one by one, here’s what we’re going to do:
1. Here is the list of bills the
State DECF supports and opposes. Doris or I will send the list out this weekend.
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Please call your chosen legislator, ask if the office has received the email.
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If someone says they haven’t, please let me or Doris know so we can send it again.
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Next day send the first EMAIL, which is a relatively gentle explanation of why we support or oppose these bills.
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And the day after that, send the second EMAIL which is a little more stern.
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These are Word docs, download, edit/personalize the email script and send to your legislator!!
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Then make a CALL with these phone scripts of State DECF bills to follow up with your legislator.
2. The AI data center bills are destructive to our environment because data centers take up a huge amount of water to cool all the computers, and use a huge amount of electricity which the public will most likely pay the increased costs.
There are five LARGE data centers data centers on the table. Although none are located in Pasco, we are generally opposed to them statewide.
HERE are the scripts to use when you email and call. It's a Word doc, download, edit the email script and send to your legislator!!
3. The “Blue Ribbon Bill” states that developers who propose to develop 10,000+ acres will have their proposal approved by the State— if the County
doesn’t. The bill tries to make it look attractive by saying a certain amount of unitswill be affordable housing, but this bill is atrocious. It would destroy the wildlife
corridors that the state has set up, and in general, DECF is against such huge over-development. Attached are a Phone script and Email templates.
4. The Sierra Club has been tracking a Tree Protection Ordinance which will be coming up for a vote by the BOCC, after the Public Hearing on Tuesday March 24th at 1:15pm. While the ordinance has a few good points, it remains easier, cheaper for developers to clear cut trees for new developments.HERE is a petition as well emails and phone calls to make (below).
All of these issues are important and are also a way to make our voices heard outside of the voting booth. It is important we take these actions now. We will update you and continue to lobby with phone calls and emails for additional bills, which may be introduced in special session in 2026. It is important that everyone participate, so the workload is spread amongst the Pasco DECF membership.
Thanks for your participation in this important activity!
Marilyn
And from Sasha Bartunek from the Pasco Conservation Committee Sierra Club—
🚨 DON'T WAIT 🚨
SEND YOUR MESSAGE NOW
ON TUESDAY MARCH 24 the Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) will consider proposed changes to the County’s tree protection ordinance that would accelerate tree removal and habitat loss at a time when development is already reshaping Pasco County at an unprecedented pace.
What you can do - OR do it all!
�� Why This Matters Now 🚨
Pasco County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Florida. Yet instead of strengthening safeguards as development intensifies, the proposed ordinance would:
- Allow large developments to clear-cut acres of trees and simply pay a minimal fee
- Treat habitat loss as an acceptable trade-off rather than something to be avoided
- Encourage development designs that remove trees first and mitigate later
This approach speeds the loss of connected habitat and mature tree canopy — losses that cannot be undone once development is complete.
🌳What We’re Asking the County to Do🌳
We are urging the Pasco BOCC to slow down and adopt a tree ordinance that matches the scale of development Pasco is experiencing by:
- Making on-site tree and habitat preservation the priority, not the exception
- Eliminating acreage caps that reward clearing large, wooded parcels
- Incentivizing development designs that work with existing trees and natural areas
- Recognizing mature trees and intact habitat as essential infrastructure, not obstacles to growth
✉️ Take Action Before MARCH 24 ✉️
Please email the Pasco Board of County Commissioners and urge them to pause and revise the proposed ordinance so it protects trees and wildlife as Pasco continues to grow.
BOCC Meeting Details:
📅 Tuesday, MARCH 24
⏰ 1:15pm
West Pasco Government Center
8731 Little Rd NPR
Pasco County’s future depends on smart growth — not growth at any cost. Once habitat is cleared and trees are gone, the damage is permanent.
Thank you for standing up for Pasco County’s natural lands, wildlife, and quality of life.
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