Our last CLE meeting was held November 3, 2000 in conjunction with the Land Use and Local Government Law Seminar in Tampa. We discussed the upcoming programs and issues related to technology, marketing and the Affiliates' workshop. It was agreed that the Affiliates could have this year's workshop in conjunction with the Annual Update at Amelia Island in August 2001. The Technology Sub-Committee continues to look at costs involved in hosting tele-conference CLEs and CLEs with website access. Marketing of our programs continues to be the most important objective for the Committee. Getting the word out to you and others on our programs continues to get harder with the competing programs and busy work schedules. We are continuing to focus on how to improve our efforts and would appreciate any feedback on this topic.

Upcoming Meetings

    Our next CLE meeting will be held February 16, 2001 in conjunction with the Executive Council meeting that day in Orlando. The meeting after that will be on June 21, 2001 at 2:00pm. Please feel free to come and participate, newcomers are always welcome. Contact me for further information on meeting times, dates and places.

Upcoming Programs

     Our next CLE program will be the 7th Annual Public Interest Environmental Conference, "All Eyes on Florida: Revitalizing, Restoring, and Revisiting." The Conference is the annual labor of love of between the Environmental and Land Use Law Section's Public Interest Committee and the law students and professors at the University of Florida College of Law. This year the agenda promises to be as enriching and informative as always pulling folks from across Florida and the nation to discuss the restoration of areas such as the Ocklawaha River and the Everglades, the findings of the Growth Management and Energy Task Forces and featuring an Ethical Advocate's Boot Camp. The Conference will be held in Gainesville at the University of Florida from March 22-24, 2001. Please visit the Conference website at http://grove.ufl.edu/~els for further information. We look forward to seeing you there.

     We also will be hosting a Land Use Law Issues seminar in Orlando on May 18, 2001. Keep your eyes open for regular updates on the issues to be covered in the months ahead. Our updates will of course include information on this year's Annual Update and Affiliate's Workshop which are again being held at the beautiful Amelia Island Plantation Resort from August 23-25, 2001. Mark your calendars now for these great programs. Any interest in participating in these programs or if you have ideas for these programs please contact me at Mdiffenderfer@llw-law.com or by phone at (561) 640-0820.

Past Programs

     Our First Amendment seminar held in conjunction with the Local Government Law Section in Tampa in November was well attended, and addressed a variety of the First Amendment issues most commonly faced at the local government level. Highlights included presentations from the attorneys who wrote and attacked the adult use regulations in Broward County, recently upheld by the Eleventh Circuit, and a discussion of the increasing number of issues arising with religious land uses and the statutes attempting to exempt religious uses from regulation. Also, a panel presented a case study on how Pinellas County and its municipalities jointly developed a common sign regulation that has withstood billboard industry challenges.

     The Wildlife, Habitat and the Law seminar in January was very well attended and included a second day Florida Keys Wildlife Battlefield Tour showing upper Keys areas involved in helping shape wildlife law. The seminar day featured presentations by the movers and shakers in wildlife law. Topics included Wetland Permitting and its influence on the Florida Panther case; Manatees, Marinas and Docks; Habitat Conservation Planning using Turtles and Scrubjays; and the interaction of land use issues on wildlife considerations. All this and more was discussed in the general parameters of wildlife law. CLE credit hours consist of 8.5 hours of general CLE credit and 1.0 hour of Ethics credit.

     Both of these programs were of course taped and the materials and audiotapes are available from the Florida Bar. So if you were unable to attend these great programs the information for ordering audiotapes and course material is available on the Bar's website at www.flabar.org or by calling 850-561-5600 x 6661.

     It takes a great amount of energy and hard work to organize these programs for the Section and we always seek to address your comments. The programs could not be done without the immense dedication of the co-chairs that sign up to put the programs together, our Section Administrator Jackie Werndli and the ELULS CLE Committee co-chairs Melissa Gross-Arnold and Susan Trevarthen. Please provide us with your input and thoughts as the year progresses. We always need more help and like great ideas!