Isn't it great when our gridlocked government can finally come together to unanimously support vital legislation? That was the case in the Alabama state legislature last month when Senate Bill 477 passed both chambers unanimously.
According to George Altman, the bill, sponsored by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, "is intended to shelter Alabamians from the United Nations Agenda 21, a sustainable development initiative that some conservatives see as a Trojan horse for the creation of a world government."
Thanks to Lloyd Alter at TreeHugger for bringing this first-in-the-nation legislation to our attention. As Alter notes, "The wording of the Alabama legislation acts to 'bar the state from taking over private property without due process,' which is pretty vague."
"But no doubt every proposal for smart growth, transit, higher density housing, heritage preservation, wetlands or forest preservation, shoreline preservation or environmental protection will now be bogged down in Alabama and challenged as part of the Agenda 21. Let's toss in birth control as well."
After passing both chambers unanimously, the legislation was signed into law by Republican Governor Robert Bentley late last month.
FULL STORY: United Nations Agenda 21 bill passes Legislature
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
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Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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