Bruce Kistler, chair of the Ancient Islands Sierra Club group, addressed members of the Polk legislative delegation Tuesday in Bartow during the delegation’s annual meeting to hear public input prior to session.
Kistler emphasized three important environmental issues.
–Banning fracking to prevent damage to water supplies and further fragmentation of wildlife habitat with new roads.
–Supporting full funding of Florida Forever as mandated by voters in a 2014 constitutional referendum.
–Ensuring that water management districts reserve adequate water for natural systems to prevent further environmental damage.
Kistler also offered the resources of Sierra Club experts for legislators seeking additional information to deal properly with these important issues.
Legislators also heard support for Florida Forever funding from representatives of the Heartland Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and the Polk County League of Women Voters.
Legislators offered no comments in response to the presentations.