Sawgrass: Let's Roll - Those Convoys to Florida!

The Sierra Times ^ | Oct. 4, 2002 | Dave Skinner

[madfly]

On Oct. 17, 18 and 19, South Florida residents and their allies will get their turn to speak out against extremist environmentalism and runaway bureaucracy -- and here's your chance to help!

"Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated" .
We are solid, and as of today,Oct. 3 , after a Property Rights Action Committee (PRAC) meeting with several Collier County FL officials we finally PERMITTED !

The caravans are rolling and we are ready. ~ Jay Walley

The Sawgrass Rebellion, Florida's version of the Sagebrush Rebellion of the late 1970s, is coming. At this time, two multi-state convoys, one starting in Oregon, the other in Ohio, are traveling through 21 states on their way to Florida and the biggest pro-Fifth Amendment rallies ever held.

Convoys and rallies held in the West and Midwestern states in 1999 through 2001 have proven the old saying: "The world is run by those who show up."

In 1999, Forest Service bureaucrats on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest in northern Nevada prohibited reconstruction of two miles of dirt road along the bottom of the remote Jarbidge River canyon after a storm had washed part of it away. On July 4, 2000, over 1,000 protesters came to the scene and removed "Liberty Rock," a huge boulder Forest Service folks had placed in the streambed to block people and their vehicles from the road. In 1998, farmers along the Big and Little Darby Creeks in Ohio learned that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) coveted over 50,000 acres of their community for a national wildlife refuge.

Last year's Bucket Brigade protest in Klamath Falls, Ore., was sparked by the federal government's total withholding of irrigation water from farmers in the Klamath Basin. Radical environmentalists had sued over the issue of sucker fish in Klamath Lake and salmon in the Klamath River. When the greens "won" in court, the farmers lost a year's crop, worth over $100 million.

In all three cases, thousands of Americans convoyed hundreds and even thousands of miles to show up at noisy rallies in support of fellow Americans who needed help. It worked. The road in Nevada is open and is to be rebuilt, the Ohio refuge proposal is dead, and the water is flowing in irrigation ditches in Oregon - at least until the next environmentalist lawsuit.

Paragon Foundation's Jay Walley takes on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Major Chuplt on behalf of Flordia Paragon members

Paragon Photo

Right now, on both coasts of beautiful South Florida, your fellow Americans are having their rights trampled again in the name of the environment, specifically Everglades restoration.

In Dade County, residents of the "8.5 Square Mile Area" west of Miami, have found themselves under the gun and under water. In 1989, Congress authorized flood protection for the 8.5 SMA, a project that was supposed to be completed by 1997. But as usual, environmental politics brought work to a standstill, leaving residents to be flooded and flooded again, along with Dade County farms. Now, backroom deals in Congress are being made over a foolish compromise that is, hydrologically speaking, the same plan as before. The difference is the needless condemnation of hundreds of homes and millions of dollars in additional expense to you, the taxpayer.

Citizens Protest the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan to flood their land

Paragon Photo

The residents of the 8.5 SMA are of limited means, and can't afford legions of lawyers to fight back. Those of Cuban heritage are openly wondering why the heck they even bothered to leave Castro's Cuba. You may think this can't happen in America, but it is, right now.

In Collier County on Florida's southwest coast, 87 percent of the county has already been set aside for conservation purposes of various types. Yet more land has been proposed to be locked up in what have been dubbed Natural Resource Protection Areas (NRPAs). To "encourage" construction in less-environmentally-sensitive "receiving areas", and to avoid paying for this encouragement, the county wants to assign Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) to its victims in "sending areas." The only folks who can buy these TDR's are those who want to build on the land in the receiving areas. No TDR, no permit.

Citizens Protest the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plan to flood their land

Paragon Photo

In short, TDRs are an unconstitutional rip-off in which the Sheriff of Nottingham robs Peter, then, instead of paying Paul, blackmails Paul into paying Peter a pittance - someday. Aren't you glad you're not Peter? Or Paul? Well, Peter and Paul could sure use a hand.

Protecting Florida's environment is a noble purpose. But those charged with this important task must meet two goals:

First and foremost, in a free society, no endeavor, no matter how noble seeming, can ever justify sacrificing fundamental freedoms. In America, freedom is not negotiable.

Second, tax money must be spent as efficiently and effectively as possible. In the name of saving the Everglades, hundreds of millions of tax dollars that you work so hard to pay is being wasted.

The rights of your fellow Americans, which your forebears fought and died for to pass on to you, are being trashed. Is it right for lawsuit-crazy greens, careerist bureaucrats and sneaky politicians to kill liberty for a swamp and then stick you with the bill? Heck no -- and that's why we're asking you to be a Sawgrass Rebel. It's your turn to stand up, toe the line, and say: "No more. Not with my tax dollars. Not by ignoring the Constitution. This is America."

America is the greatest nation on earth because, when asked, the citizens have selflessly stood up for the rights and freedoms of all, no matter where they are. So join us. Your fellow Americans need your help. Please convoy with us, rally with us, donate or volunteer in any way you can. For specific information on how to register for the Sawgrass Rebellion, please see www.sawgrassrebellion.org. Those wishing to participate in convoying are encouraged to call convoy master Grant Gerber at 775-738-2009. By becoming a Sawgrass Rebel, you will be helping your fellow Americans in South Florida protect their land, their homes, their communities, their rights, their very future.

Oregon Caravan: Grant Gerber, Esq. 775.934.9505

Ohio Caravan: Dale Rapp: 740.974.4842

It's your turn and chance to speak out now. If you don't take it, someday it WILL be your turn.

---

At the Sierra Times, you can always get the latest on the Sawgrass Rebellion Here.

© 2002 SierraTimes.com (unless otherwise noted)

[madfly]

[madfly]

sorry, hit post first time without photos.

[Askel5]

Hey ... thanks for the pics!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[madfly]

Paragon Foundation's Jay Walley
takes on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Major Chuplt
on behalf of
Flordia Paragon members

[madfly]

Earlier thread from WND.

Sawgrass Rebellion Rekindled by Henry Lamb

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I found an interesting document on the Army COE's Jacksonville District website:

MODIFIED WATER DELIVERIES TO EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK 8.5 SQUARE MILE AREA (SMA) - LAND ACQUISITION FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)

WHERE IS THE 8.5 SMA LOCATED?

The 8.5 Square Mile Area (SMA), a component of the Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park (MWD) Project, is a populated area in South Miami-Dade County located approximately 6.6 miles south of Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41). It is bounded on the west by the Everglades National Park (ENP), and separated from the more intensively developed urban lands to the east by the L-31N flood protection levee and borrow canal.

WHY IS LAND ACQUISITION NECESSARY?

Land acquisition is necessary to provide flood mitigation for the residential area, which could be affected by water flows from the other components of the Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park Project.

WHAT LAND ACQUISITION STEPS HAVE TAKEN PLACE?

All landowners were invited to attend public meeting on January 16, 2001. At the meeting, the project was explained, the specific property to be acquired was identified and the Acquisition Process and Land Owner’s Rights were explained.

Bilingual information materials were provided to all attendees including maps and a summary of landowners rights. Presentations were simultaneously translated, with bilingual staff members available following the meeting. Landowner’s were provided with a toll-free phone number to call for information in both Spanish and English. A community leader’s meeting preceded the general public meeting to allow for smaller group interaction with those most outspoken on behalf of their community.

A second meeting, open to the public but specifically for the landowners in the highest priority areas to be acquired was held on January 31, 2001. The acquisition process and landowners rights were explained in greater detail, in both English and Spanish. Two more meetings were held in November 2001, one specifically for Spanish speakers, and a second for the landowners in the next priority.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF AQUISITION?

As of 2/19/02, 155 Offers to Sell (OTS) have been mailed to landowners and 61 of those have been signed and returned to the Corps of Engineers by the landowner. Corps of Engineers’ negotiators have been making contact with landowners on a regular basis and status changes daily.

WHY IS CONDEMNATION REQUIRED FOR SOME TRACTS?

Many tracts require condemnation to clear title defects. Some tracts require condemnation if there is a difference of opinion concerning value and agreement on purchase price has not been reached. In either case, condemnation is used only as a last resort to purchase property.

DOES THE CORPS HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CONDEMN?

Yes. The power of condemnation was granted under 40 U.S.C. 257 which states:

In every case in which the Secretary of the Treasury or any other officer of the Government has been, or hereafter shall be, authorized to procure real estate for the erection of a public building or for other public uses, he may acquire the same for the United States by condemnation, under judicial process, whenever in his opinion it is necessary or advantageous to the Government to do so, and the Attorney General of the United States, upon every application of the Secretary of the Treasury, under this section and section 258 of this title, or such other officer, shall cause proceedings to be commenced for condemnation within thirty days from receipt of the application at the Department of Justice. The Corps condemnation authority is set forth in 33 U.S.C. 591 and 33 U.S.C. 701. Declaration of Taking authority comes from 40 U.S.C. 258a which gives the government title in advance of final judgment.

WHAT IS THE CONDEMNATION PROCESS?

After all possibilities are exhausted, the owner is notified in writing of the Government’s intent to condemn and the reason why condemnation is necessary. At the same time, a Condemnation Assembly is sent from the Corps of Engineers to the Department of Justice (DOJ). A Condemnation Assembly includes such information as negotiation report, tract appraisal & review certificate, declaration of taking forms, project maps, etc. DOJ forwards the Condemnation Assembly to the local US Attorney (Miami). The Condemnation Assembly is filed in Federal District Court. The U.S. District Court (Judge) executes an order of possession authorizing the Government to enter the property. The Court conducts a hearing/trial and enters a Final judgment.

WHERE WILL THE CORPS BE FILING THE CASES?

The cases will be filed in the Federal District Court of the Southern District of Florida located in Miami, FL.

WHO PREPARED THE APPRAISALS TO ESTABLISH ESTIMATED FAIR MARKET VALUE?

The Corps of Engineers entered into a contract with an independent contract appraiser familiar with the 8.5 SMA.

HOW DO LANDOWNERS RETRIEVE FUNDS DEPOSITED IN THE COURT?

When the case is filed in the Federal District court of the Southern District of Florida, a check in the amount of the estimated fair market value is deposited with the court. Landowners may make application for disbursement of funds to United States Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida, 99 Northeast Fourth Street, Miami, Florida 33130 or call 305-961-9372.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Link HERE

They invite you to a public meeting so that you can provide "input" before they run your ass off your own land. Isn't that nice of them?

[madfly]

Good find

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

In 1989, Congress authorized flood protection for the 8.5 SMA, a project that was supposed to be completed by 1997. But as usual, environmental politics brought work to a standstill, leaving residents to be flooded and flooded again, along with Dade County farms.

The Army COE project manager is:

Ms. Cheryl Ulrich, P.E.
Phone: (904) 232-1700

Feel free to call her up and ask her about the status of this project.

The Army COE's project webpage is HERE.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Here's a LINK to some correspondence (in .pdf format) between the Dept. of the Interior, The Corps, and the Fish & Wildlife Services. Isn't it nice how they are oh-so-concerned about the sparrows? But they don't give a flying crap about the people that they are running off their land for pennies on the dollar!

[FreeTheHostages]

bump

[madfly]

ping

[AAABEST]

I like a man that does his homework.

They invite you to a public meeting so that you can provide "input" before they run your ass off your own land. Isn't that nice of them?

It's all for show.

the Acquisition Process and Land Owner’s Rights were explained.

Orwellian newspeak pig-people. What rights does anyone have when they a being robbed? They conveniently leave out the fact that congress ordered them via NEPA that any restoration must protect the community. They gave them the funds (56 million) to do just that. They are now operating outside the law and nobody is doing a damn thing about it.

Problem is that NEPA didn't fit into their "no people allowed" agenda. The ACOE was brought into Florida long ago protect and work for THE PEOPLE after thousands had died in hurricanes and flooding. Now they've become this arbitrary, unelected, unaccountable quasi government that does the bidding of NGO eco-conglomerates.

Nothing but a bunch of law breaking theives.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Yep. It's really great that the COE has the power to condemn the property that your house sits on and have you thrown off of it so that they can use it for their stuff.

Even if people were paid the full market price for their house and property, what is the "full market price" for a condemned piece of property? It's pretty slick how they declare your property essentially worthless, then buy it for that amount.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Corps of Engineers’ negotiators have been making contact with landowners on a regular basis...

I'll bet these COE negotiators have gotten a real warm welcome so far. If one of these guys showed up on my doorstep, I would probably go to jail for assault. I can just picture some of those conversations: "We're your pals and we're here to help you. Now sell us your house and lot now that we've rendered it worthless."

[AAABEST]

It's pretty slick how they declare your property essentially worthless, then buy it for that amount.

Just by them showing up and poking around property becomes depressed as property values are dictated by buying activity. Who wants to buy property that they have their eyes on anyway?

In Florida, it's the ACOE using flooding as a weapon. Other places out West and elsewhere it's the DOI, Fish and Wildlife etc. that use drought and endangered species. Whatever works to kill the community.

Various organizations, same SOP.

Swoop in for some fake jumk science "crisis", devalue the land with flooding, drought, regulation whatever works. After the scourge, governmental and multi billion dollar non-governmentals purchase the property at bargain basement prices. They simply don't have the money to pay full price and even if they did, they wouldn't find the "willing sellers" to accomplsh their elaborate schemes.

They've got the system down pat and are using the same model all over the country.

[farmfriend]

Please add a bump for the thread. We need all the help we can get.

Let me know if you want off this list. I know where the delete button is.

[blackie]

Big Convoy...Bump !!

Property Rights...Bump !!

Stop the attacks on our Freedoms by the wacko, extreme left-wing, lunatic fringe, dirt worshipping Green Jihadist, enviro-nazis terrorist's and their toadies in the media !!

Stop Rural Cleansing !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Molon Labe !!

Fighting Irresponsible Radical Environmentalism !!

[AAABEST]

LMAO!!!

D00d your creative blurbs just kill me for some reason!

I see you've added "big convoy bump" today. You're too much.