COLUMNS

           Message from the Chair

    Ralph A. DeMeo

     This is an exciting time for the ELULS and environmental and land use law in Florida. The modern era of Florida environmental and land use law was born relatively recently in the late 1960's. Although no longer in its infancy, environmental and land use law in the late 1990's is still in its adolescence. Many challenges lie ahead as we try to balance public and private interests in a period of continued intense growth. The promise of a new era also lies ahead as environmental and land use law reaches maturity in the 21st century.

     The ELULS' members and their chosen leaders on the Executive Council could fairly be said to be the proud parents of Florida environmental and land use law. In fact, the ELULS' growth and development tracks that of Florida environmental and land use law over the past 25 years of the ELULS' existence.

      Much has been accomplished by the ELULS and much work is ahead of us. In the 1998-1999 term, the ELULS has many important projects underway to continue to serve its members, the Bar and the public. Our priorities for this term fall into five categories: 1) CLE Seminars and Workshops; 2) CLE Treatise; 3) Membership; 4) Access to Justice; and 5) Affiliates.

     The CLE Programs Committee, chaired by John Fumero and vice-chaired by Maribel Nicholson-Choice and Robert Riggio, is implementing innovative approaches to further the ELULS tradition of excellence in our seminars and workshops. Under the leadership of the late Tom DeRose, the CLE Manual has evolved into a comprehensive Treatise which, produced in conjunction with REGfiles, will be the best resource available on the subject of Florida environmental and land use law. The CLE Treatise Committee, chaired by Tim Smith, is organizing a team of expert editors and authors to produce this unique publication. The Membership Committee, chaired by George Gramling, is working to improve the ELULS membership in the areas of racial, ethnic and gender diversity as well as practice diversity including public interest, private and governmental representation. The Access to Justice Committee, chaired by Suzi Ruhl, is planning a public forum and other activities to reach out to indigent, minority and disadvantaged persons affected by their environment. The Affiliates Committee, chaired by Joel Balmat and Terry Zinn, is working to increase the participation of affiliate members in the ELULS.

      The ELULS Executive Council and Committee Chairs are hard at work on these and other programs through our Education, Planning and Membership, and Special Services Divisions. I encourage you to contact our ELULS Administrator, Jackie Werndli, or any of the ELULS Committee Chairs or Executive Council members for more information about our programs and to help the ELULS and environmental and land use law fulfill its potential as we enter the new millennium.