Number: 1988-19
WHEREAS, a primary threat to fish and wildlife is loss of habitat due to inappropriate commercial, residential, and agricultural development; and
WHEREAS, the lack of comprehensive planning for future development can result in cumulative adverse impacts from unrelated development projects which can fragment otherwise contiguous wildlands, disrupt the functioning of wetland systems and watersheds, and endanger or destroy entire ecosystem types; and
WHEREAS, important land use decisions are made at the local government level; and
WHEREAS, many States have adopted statutes and regulations which allow, encourage, or mandate local governments to exercise their powers to control land uses and to plan comprehensively for the most appropriate uses of land, water and other natural resources; and
WHEREAS, the State of Florida provides examples of the problems of explosive population growth and resulting detrimental impacts on fish and wildlife habitat and other natural resources, as well as the possible solution; and
WHEREAS, development associated with Florida’s rapidly increasing population, estimated at approximately 900 new residents every day, is causing serious adverse impacts on Florida’s forested, coastal, and wetland habitats and the fish and wildlife populations dependent on these systems; and
WHEREAS, Florida has adopted a local government comprehensive planning statute which mandates that local governments develop plans for the most appropriate uses of land, water, and other natural resources, including fish and wildlife habitat, in order to address problems associated with population growth; and
WHEREAS, comprehensive planning to conserve fish and wildlife habitat and other natural resources can be effective only if controls are developed properly with public participation, administered conscientiously and fairly, and enforced vigorously;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 17-20, 1988, in New Orleans, Louisiana endorses the development, fair administration, and vigorous enforcement by local government of land use regulations and comprehensive planning which requires the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat and, in general, ensures appropriate uses of land, water, and other natural resources.