Sen. Linda Stewart to highlight Black Bear Act filed for 2017 legislative session

State Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) and Rep. Amy Mercado (D-Orlando) will hold a press event on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 to discuss comprehensive legislation they’ve filed to protect Florida black bears and preserve their habitat. Senate Bill 1304 and HB 491, the “Florida Black Bear Habitat Restoration Act,” also establishes a fund for local governments for the purchase of bear resistant garbage containers.
“At a time when Florida’s native black bears are facing several threats to their habitat, it is our obligation to ensure the preservation of the iconic species as well as the safety of our neighborhoods,” said Stewart. “Today, we are setting out to do just that.”
“By protecting Florida black bear habitats and their food sources, we in turn limit bear-human conflicts and ultimately are closer to ensuring the public’s safety,” said Mercado.
The Orlando lawmakers will be joined by the President of Speak Up Wekiva, Chuck O’Neal, who is supporting the legislation.
The press conference will take place at 1:00 PM at Lake Eola Park in Orlando by the red pagoda by North Eola Drive.
“This bill addresses many of the problems that are driving Florida black bears from public forests and into neighboring subdivisions,” said O’Neal. “In order to reverse that exodus, we must stop destroying their habitat.”