We did it—thanks to overwhelming community support and advocacy, Broward County Commissioners voted 8-0 to keep the mangrove parcel on the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) map! This was a huge victory in stopping immediate threats to these irreplaceable wetlands in our area. But the mangroves are NOT safe yet. The developer still holds the legal right to apply for permits, including: • A dredge and fill permit (Section 404 permit) from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers • Plat and site plan approvals • Building permits While the property owner has the right to apply for these permits, they do not have the right to receive them unless they meet every single regulatory requirement. We firmly believe the developer cannot satisfy all these standards—due to the ecological importance of the mangroves, their role in flood protection, water quality, wildlife habitat, and coastal resilience in the face of climate change and intensifying storms. That’s why we are committed to challenging every single application that threatens this land. However, the only way to truly and permanently protect these mangroves is to remove the threat of development once and for all. This requires taking control of the land and designating it as public conservation land in perpetuity. Possible paths include: • Outright purchase • Land swap • Creation of a mitigation bank • Eminent domain (if necessary) Only then will these mangroves—and the critical ecosystem services they provide—be truly SAFE from future threats. We call on the Broward County Commissioners to prioritize a public land solution for this parcel and take decisive action to secure it for conservation forever. Our wetlands are not for sale—they are essential to Broward County’s environment, our quality of life, and future generations. Please sign this petition today to show your support and urge the Commissioners to act. Share it widely on social media, with friends, family, and community groups. Contact your Broward County Commissioners directly—let your voice be heard loud and clear: • Beam Furr: bfurr@broward.org • Mark Bogen: mbogen@broward.org • Robert McKinzie: rmckinzie@broward.org • Nan Rich: nrich@broward.org • Michael Udine: mudine@broward.org • Lamar Fisher: lfisher@broward.org • Steve Geller: sgeller@broward.org • Alexandra Davis: alexandradavis@broward.org • Hazelle Rogers: hazellerogers@broward.org Thank you for standing up for our mangroves and our environment. Together, we can make permanent protection a reality!