An impressive roster of 29 environmental organizations has been assembled to oppose an effort to extend Miami-Dade County's Urban Development Boundary south to accommodate a megadevelopment at the top of Card Sound Road.

The UDB was established in 1975 to protect Miami-Dade's wetlands and agricultural areas from sprawl. The boundary is one of the most important protections against development into the Everglades.

Recently, Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Florida Gov. Jeb Bush joined the opposition, surprising those who viewed them as part of the pro-development camp.

Bush cited both Everglades restoration and Monroe County hurricane evacuation as reasons for opposing changes to the boundary. Miami-Dade planners also note that enough undeveloped land remains within the UDB to construct thousands of homesites.

But Atlantic Civil, owner of the 4,200-plus-acre property near Card Sound Road, has proposed building a 6,000-home community with 300,000 square feet of commercial shopping and 90,000 square feet of office space. One of the country's largest builders, the Lennar Corp., has an option to purchase the land.

And Florida City has drafted an annexation ordinance to include this same area within its incorporated boundaries, though city leaders claim no desire to see the property change from its current zoning of one home per five acres.

Environmentalists, however, are skeptical, arguing that annexation is but a prelude to extending the development boundaries.

Last year, the Ocean Reef Community Association and the Monroe County Commission adopted resolutions opposing development of the area.

These were appropriate actions taken not only in the best interest of Monroe residents concerned about evacuation, but for South Floridians who desire to protect our water quality and supply.

Leaders of the Hold The Line coalition are now calling on Monroe leaders to declare opposition to Florida City's annexation efforts.

While we are typically cautious about interfering in the politics of our northern neighbors, we believe the greater good of the region forces our hand.

Florida City Mayor Otis Wallace has told The Citizen that his community does not need the land targeted for annexation for a tax base.

"We have that on U.S. 1," he said.

So what is the rationale?

"We're looking for lifestyle choices here," he said.

But that lifestyle choice really exists whether the area is annexed or not. So why not support the status quo?

The annexation issue is to be discussed in April by the Miami-Dade commission. We encourage our county leaders and other Keys governments, business groups and civic organizations to join the Hold The Line effort. And we applaud Gov. Bush for drawing the line as well.— The Citizen