Posted on 04/04/2002 2:56:04 AM PST by Nix 2
THIS is a blatant land grab and control attempt by the Democrats in both the House and Senate to make it easier for federal, state, and local governments to grab off private property to use for their own purposes. If this bill, which is now wending its way yet again through the congress under a cloak of silence, passes, Eminent Domain land use will become a fly's eyelash because there will be NO restrictions on the federal, state, or local governments to prove beyond a doubt that taking anyone's personal propety is a necessity for their purposes.
This is a purely Fascist law designed to deprive US citizens of their right to have and own PRIVATE property.
Please read this bill. Understand it. Take note of its sponsors, and make your voices heard before we are taken over under dark of night
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 27, 2000
Mr. L. CHAFEE (for himself, Mr. BENNETT, Mr. CLELAND, Mr. JEFFORDS, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. LEAHY, and Mr. BAUCUS) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A BILL
To assist States with land use planning in order to promote improved quality of life, regionalism, sustainable economic development, and environmental stewardship, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Community Character Act of 2000'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that--
(1) inadequate planning at the State level contributes to increased public and private capital costs for infrastructure development, loss of community character , and environmental degradation;
(2) land use planning is rightfully within the jurisdiction of State and local governments;
(3) comprehensive planning and community development should be supported by the Federal Government and State governments;
(4) States should provide a proper climate and context for planning through legislation in order for appropriate comprehensive land use planning and community development to occur;
(5) many States have outdated land use planning legislation, and many States are undertaking efforts to update and reform the legislation; and
(6) efforts to coordinate State resources with local plans require additional planning at the State level.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act :
(1) FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AGENCY- The term `Federal land management agency' means the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service, and any other Federal land management agency that conducts land use planning for Federal land.
(2) LAND USE PLANNING LEGISLATION- The term `land use planning legislation' means a statute, regulation, executive order or other action taken by a State to guide, regulate, and assist in the planning, regulation, and management of land, natural resources, development practices, and other activities related to the pattern and scope of future land use.
(3) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(4) STATE- The term `State' means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(5) STATE PLANNING DIRECTOR- The term `State planning director' means the State official designated by statute or by the Governor whose principal responsibility is the drafting and updating of State guide plans or guidance documents that regulate land use and infrastructure development on a statewide basis.
SEC. 4. GRANTS TO STATES FOR UPDATING LAND USE PLANNING LEGISLATION AND INTEGRATING FEDERAL LAND MANAGEMENT AND STATE PLANNING.
(a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary shall establish a program to provide grants to States for the purpose of assisting in--
(1) as a first priority, development or revision of land use planning legislation in States that currently have inadequate or outmoded land use planning legislation; and
(2) creation or revision of State comprehensive land use plans or plan elements in States that have updated land use planning legislation.
(b) ELIGIBILITY- To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), a State shall submit to the Secretary, in such form as the Secretary may require, an application demonstrating that the State's basic goals for land use planning legislation reform are consistent with all of the following guidelines:
(1) CITIZEN REPRESENTATION- Citizens are notified and citizen representation is required in the developing, adopting, and updating of land use plans.
(2) MULTIJURISDICTIONAL COOPERATION- In order to effectively manage the impacts of land development and to provide for resource sustainability, land use plans are created based on multi-jurisdictional governmental cooperation, when practicable, particularly in the case of land use plans based on watershed boundaries.
(3) IMPLEMENTATION ELEMENTS- Land use plans contain an implementation element that--
(A) includes a timetable for action and a definition of the respective roles and responsibilities of agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders;
(B) is consistent with State capital budget objectives; and
(C) provides the framework for decisions relating to the siting of future infrastructure development, including development of utilities and utility distribution systems.
(4) COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING- There is comprehensive planning to encourage land use plans that--
(A) promote sustainable economic development and social equity;
(B) enhance community character ;
(C) coordinate transportation, housing, education, and other infrastructure development;
(D) conserve historic resources, scenic resources, and the environment; and
(E) sustainably manage natural resources.
(5) UPDATING- Land use plans are routinely updated.
(6) STANDARDS- Land use plans reflect an approach that is consistent with established professional planning standards.
(c) USE OF GRANT FUNDS- Grant funds received by a State under subsection (a) shall be used to obtain technical assistance in--
(1) drafting land use planning legislation;
(2) research and development for land use planning programs and requirements relating to the development of State guide plans;
(3) conducting workshops, educating and consulting policy makers, and involving citizens in the planning process; and
(4) integrating State and regional concerns and land use plans with Federal land use plans.
####################################################################################
I think a year is too soon. I think we need to collect the data proving that it not only doesn't work economically, but that the plan and its underlying ideology are having numerous and severe adverse environmental impacts, the system is being managed for the benefit of a closed group of heavy political donors... in short that it is working AGAINST the base of voters who supported it. I think a celebrated corruption case or two might help and I have a minor in with the new DA.
We also need to bring the ag community on board and that is a LONG education process (they do have money for a fight but have to be convinced). They just don't understand how they are being screwed and roll their eyes at the mere mention of the UN.
We need to remember that the UN is really working in the interest of an AMERICAN elite, that it exists as a get-around to the Constitution, and to collect the world's resources under the control of a few for fun and profit. We know that it is more than that, but that message will have to wait. When people start to associate it with garden variety corruption in government, then they will start to see it for what it is. That takes data, and not just from Santa Cruz.
I think you would do well to collect data on the results of Sustainable Development, similar to what Randal O'Toole did in Portland (if you don't have his book you should get it). If we can show that corruption, economic misery, and destructive environmental impacts are inherent to Agenda21, AND that they are ALL manifesting in Santa Cruz, it will go a long way to help cement the case against it. This is a monstrous beast that is dangerous if only wounded. We have to be certain of a clean and quick kill. There is a way to do it and to rely upon the courts alone is a sure way to go broke.
We also need to bring the ag community on board and that is a LONG education process...
because the key to the whole thing is education- without the proper background data, people do indeed, as you mentioned, "roll their eyes..."
Sustainable = socialist.
Try this as a replacement word and it becomes all to apparent with a "bells and whistles" alarm going off in the head.
However, regardless of the particular hydra head that is attacking you locally, it is the same fight with the same enemy across the nation. We just need to band together locally and nationally to fight it wherever it crops up.
Oregon was the pilot for alot of this stuff, and as a result that is where the most data has been collected, particularly by the mentioned Randal O'Toole. That is the best place I have found to find data, much of which is at Free-Market.net
In the meantime,I agree with CO, we need to dig as much data as we can about this and start throwing in the enviros faces. That is the best way to defeat them, because they have no facts, just religious dogma.
Anyone wanting to keep tabs on this stuff here in Iowa, email me at seedpage@iowatelecom.net. I will put you on our email list for our property rights bulletin.
People don't realize that things going on in their communities are part of the globalization push. "Visioning" projects going on everywhere are being pushed by the EPA to fulfill the "Livability Agenda" that Clinton filed in the UN.
Here in Centre County PA we've done our "visioning" and discovered that everyone wants growth boundaries, more public transportation, denser housing, and more bike trails. Exactly like every other community that does "visioning". I personally don't believe that every American community is so much alike that they separately come up with the same vision...
I spent some time in Erie PA last week, and they are heavily advertising their "Visioning" process on the radio, as your chance to make sure there's something left for your children...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.