Posted on 09/20/2002 6:49:44 AM PDT by TonyWojo
On to Homestead" will be the cry heard over Klamath Falls September 28, 2002 when the Klamath to Florida Convoy departs here on an 11 state - 22 day journey to Homestead, Florida as we join in to support The Sawgrass Rebellion. Major parts of Dade and Collier Counties in Florida were once part of the majestic Everglades. In the early 1900's, the Army Corp of Engineers drained swamps, built canals, and redirected water to the southern tip of Florida and opened up prime farmland for private ownership.
The Everglades Act, enacted in 1989, established a plan to restore natural water flows to Everglades National Park and protect affected private property landowners from flooding. Section 104 of the Everglades Act required the Corps to modify a system of canals, levees, and other structures. Known as the Central and Southern Florida Project (C&SF Project) it was to "improve water deliveries into and where practicable, to take steps to restore the natural hydrological conditions within" the Park. It also directed the Secretary of the Army, "to construct a flood protection system for that portion of presently developed land within such area."
The Corps never provided the flood protection to the 8.5 Square Mile Area as directed by Congress. Instead, a lengthy and complex series of plans, proposals, meetings and hearings ultimately resulted in a decision by the Corps in 2000. The Corps selected a plan called Alternative 6D, which proposes what the Corps calls a "flood mitigation" plan for the residents of the 8.5 SMA, instead of "flood protection." The Corps proposes to build a levee and seepage canal through the middle of the 8.5 SMA community; to force residents out of all homes and land northwest of that levee and within the seepage canal; and to flood those portions of the 8.5 SMA. The remaining residents, southeast of the levee, would face berms, levees, and canals, in what was once the center of their community.
This action by the Corps is turning 350 families into what they hope become "willing sellers." The Klamath Basin knows all about "willing seller" programs.
After receiving a letter asking for help from the Dade County Farm Bureau, The Klamath Bucket Brigade is joining the 8.5 SMA Legal Defense Fund, the 15,000 Coalition, Inc., The Everglades Protection Society, and The Dade County Farm Bureau as part of more than seven hundred groups pledging their support to The Sawgrass Rebellion nationwide. The largest property rights advocate group in the United States, The Paragon Foundation of Alamogordo, New Mexico, has also agreed to help South Florida residents in their stand against "unwarranted taking" of their properties.
The Sawgrass Rebellion will culminate with a property rights rally, when four caravans from across the United State converge at Naples, Florida October 17 and 18. Participants will then travel across the Everglades to Homestead, Florida on October 19.
The Klamath Bucket Brigade would like to invite everyone to join us at the Kick-Off Rally for the Klamath to Florida Convoy at 9:30 AM Saturday, September 28, on the sidewalk in front of the Klamath County Government Building on Main Street in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Scheduled speakers will be County Commissioner John Elliott and Bill Ransom, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Klamath Bucket Brigade.
The Convoy headed by the Klamath Bucket Brigade's traveling Bucket will leave Klamath at 10 AM and head south into California for the first big scheduled rally on Sunday, September 29th in Tracy, California where Congressman Richard Pombo will speak.
During the 22-day trip to Florida, a member of the convoy will be reporting on our progress on the Lars Larson radio program broadcasting in Klamath Falls on 1450 KFLS between noon and 4 PM week days.
We would also like to ask you to bring shovels and buckets signed with messages of support from the people of the Klamath Basin and items to donate for planned auctions along the way to help us raise money for not only the Florida landowners; but also to help the still struggling farmers of the Klamath Basin. If you would like to donate an auction item but can't make it to the Kickoff Rally, please call 541-850-9495 for pickup or delivery times.
Click on the Honorable Mr. Washington
The for more info on the Rebellion.
Click on the banner to go
the Sawgrass Rebellion website.
For more information call the California State Grange 916-454-5805
I'm sorry it has to be in defiance , but then that's the American way.
One day , if we put God back in His place above man , politicians will once again respect us and fear Him.
But until we are strong enough to do that , we will continue to be sheared like sheep.
I don't see myself being able to afford this trip.
It's going to leave a void in me the same as Klamath Falls , your losses are my own.
Freedom is worth the price.............
Good to be back :)
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