An impressive group of presenters will assemble in August to explore the ramifications of the Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment and the impacts of placing final land use authority in local electorates.

     Because of the need for a forum to discuss the legal and policy challenges of planning by popular vote, the 2004 Annual Environmental and Land Use Law Update will explore and highlight these issues throughout the two-day seminar. The Update will convene at Amelia Island Plantation on August 19-20, 2004, with Section Committee meetings slated for August 21.

     The keynote theme will be delivered by Tom Pelham. Steve Pfeiffer will discuss the political history of the Amendment. Allen Watts, Wade Hopping and Janet Bowman will take a comprehensive look at the implementation issues if the Amendment passes. Steve Seibert will close the Update with his view of the economic, financial and investment issues associated with the Amendment. Attorney General Charlie Crist will give the luncheon address on Friday.

     As always, speakers will give participants timely updates in agency rules and policies, environmental and land use case law and breaking substantive issues. The concurrent sessions will provide practical information concerning interagency agreements, zoning techniques for preserving rural land uses and preparation of water conservation plans.

     Seminar co-chairs Dave Jordan and Mary Hansen promise a useful and intriguing focus for the 2004 Update. The Seminar will also cover recent legislative developments, new initiatives in water supply production and protection, model development rule drafting and a field seminar guided by the Section’s affiliate members.
Further Update information will be available on the Section website.