Vote FOR Clean Water and Natural Area.
Lake County is at a crossroads. Overdevelopment, strained water supplies, and the loss of our precious natural lands threaten our way of life. With land prices skyrocketing and our natural habitats disappearing, we must take action now to preserve our last remaining natural area and wildlife habitat for our children and grandchildren before they are lost forever. Together, we can safeguard our quality of life and ensure access to clean, safe drinking water.
Vote FOR bonds on November 5th.
Early Voting begins October 21st.
Why Your Vote FOR BONDS Matters:
Preserve Our Quality of Life
Safeguarding our natural area is more urgent than ever. Preserving natural area, wildlife habitat, and water resources is critical to preserving the quality of life we cherish in Lake County.
Protect Clean
Water Sources
Nothing is more important than having clean water to drink. By supporting this proposal, we can purchase natural lands to protect drinking water quality
by preventing runoff and toxic chemicals from flowing into Lake County’s water supply.
Conserve a Lasting Legacy
By acting now, we can ensure that future generations—our children and grandchildren—will enjoy the natural beauty and resources that we cherish today. The time to preserve Lake County’s natural legacy is now.
Donate to support Clean Water and Natural Area.
Your donation will power the message
to Lake County voters.
Frequently Asked Questions
1How will the referendum protect our clean water and natural area?
If approved by the voters, the bonds will generate up to $50 million. Lake County will apply for matching funds from the State of Florida, the federal government, and private contributors.
Funds would be used to protect Lake County’s last remaining natural areas and wildlife habitat before they are lost forever to development. Funds can only be used to:
- conserve lands that protect drinking water sources;
- protect springs;
- protect natural areas from overdevelopment;
- improve the water quality of rivers, lakes, and streams;
- prevent polluted storm water runoff from flowing into rivers, lakes, and streams;
- protect wildlife habitat; and provide parks and trails.
2How will the money be allocated and what type of lands will be conserved?
The ballot language requires full public disclosure of all project spending. A citizen’s oversight committee – the Public Lands and Trails Acquisition Advisory Committee -- will review projects, make recommendations to the County Commission, monitor expenditures, and provide added transparency for the public.
The Public Lands and Trails Acquisition Advisory Committee, will use established criteria to evaluate potential properties for conservation. Existing County preserves like Lake Hiawatha Preserve, Green Mountain Scenic Overlook, Ferndale Preserve, Pasture Preserve, and Plymouth Lakes are excellent examples of the kind of properties Lake County would conserve in the future.
The Public Lands and Trails Acquisition Advisory Committee, will use established criteria to evaluate potential properties for conservation. Existing County preserves like Lake Hiawatha Preserve, Green Mountain Scenic Overlook, Ferndale Preserve, Pasture Preserve, and Plymouth Lakes are excellent examples of the kind of properties Lake County would conserve in the future.
3Why do we need this referendum now?
Twenty years ago, Lake County voters overwhelmingly approved by 71% a $36 million land conservation bond. These funds have long since been exhausted, having been used to protect places like Lake Hiawatha Preserve, Pasture Preserve, and Plymouth Lakes. We now have the opportunity to protect our last remaining natural areas from development. If voters approve the bonds, dedicated funding would be continued for land conservation. Bonds would provide the County with funds upfront to take advantage of these lands being on the market now. Placing this measure on the ballot gives Lake County voters a chance to decide whether they want to preserve water quality and wildlife habitat.
If the bonds do not pass, Lake County will not have dedicated funds to purchase the critical natural areas and wildlife habitat threatened by development. Many of our last remaining natural areas and wildlife habitat would be developed. Without matching funds, Lake County would be also leaving millions of dollars on the table in Tallahassee and Washington, DC.
Lake County is one of the fastest growing counties in Florida and our last remaining undeveloped natural areas and wildlife habitats are disappearing before our very eyes. Much of the remaining land you see as natural land across our county is privately owned and can legally be developed. Protecting our water, wildlife habitat, and natural areas will preserve Lake County’s natural beauty for future generations, so our children and grandchildren can enjoy them the way we do.
If the bonds do not pass, Lake County will not have dedicated funds to purchase the critical natural areas and wildlife habitat threatened by development. Many of our last remaining natural areas and wildlife habitat would be developed. Without matching funds, Lake County would be also leaving millions of dollars on the table in Tallahassee and Washington, DC.
Lake County is one of the fastest growing counties in Florida and our last remaining undeveloped natural areas and wildlife habitats are disappearing before our very eyes. Much of the remaining land you see as natural land across our county is privately owned and can legally be developed. Protecting our water, wildlife habitat, and natural areas will preserve Lake County’s natural beauty for future generations, so our children and grandchildren can enjoy them the way we do.
4How do I vote on the referendum?
The CLEAN WATER, OVERDEVELOPMENT PROTECTION, NATURAL AREAS PRESERVATION, PARKS, AND TRAILS measure will be on the November 5 presidential election ballot. It will be on the back of the ballot, right after the state constitutional amendments.
You can vote by mail or vote early from October 21 until November 2. Early voting locations are listed on https://www.voteLake.com/Vote-By-Mail-Early-Voting/Early-Voting.
You can cast your ballot at your assigned polling place on Tuesday, November 5. Polls are open from 7:00 AM until 7:00 P.M. For more information you can reach the Supervisor of Elections at 352-343-9734 or visit the website at https://www.lakevotes.com/.
You can vote by mail or vote early from October 21 until November 2. Early voting locations are listed on https://www.voteLake.com/Vote-By-Mail-Early-Voting/Early-Voting.
You can cast your ballot at your assigned polling place on Tuesday, November 5. Polls are open from 7:00 AM until 7:00 P.M. For more information you can reach the Supervisor of Elections at 352-343-9734 or visit the website at https://www.lakevotes.com/.
5Who is Lake Forever?
Lake Forever is a grassroots, citizen-run committee made up of Lake County residents who represent a wide variety of community values, geographic areas, political affiliations, and public interests in the county. It is the political committee established to advocate for and inform voters about the CLEAN WATER, OVERDEVELOPMENT PROTECTION, NATURAL AREAS PRESERVATION, PARKS, AND TRAILS measure.
You can help by telling your friends and family to vote “FOR BONDS.” Donate funds to Lake Forever to help offset the costs of producing informational materials.
Follow Lake Forever on Facebook or contact us at info@votelakeforever.com for more information.
You can help by telling your friends and family to vote “FOR BONDS.” Donate funds to Lake Forever to help offset the costs of producing informational materials.
Follow Lake Forever on Facebook or contact us at info@votelakeforever.com for more information.
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Vote for Bonds