FREEDOM & PROPERTY FOUNDATION

1. FREEDOM & PROPERTY FOUNDATION

2. You will never hear an environmentalist or a government agency quote these: • “…nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”(fifth amendment to the US Constitution) • Section I., Paragraph I. Life, Liberty and property. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property except by due process of law. (The Constitution of the State of Georgia) • Section I., Paragraph II. Protection to person and property; equal protection. Protection to person and property is the paramount duty of government and shall be impartial and complete. No person shall be denied the equal protection of the laws. (The Constitution of the State of Georgia)

3. Whom or what organizations do the government agencies and environmental groups quote? • ICLEI - International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives • Agenda 21 author Maurice Strong • GESA – Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act • EPD – Georgia Environmental Protection Division • NPDES which stands for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System • I strongly recommend you all check into and study each of these documents and organizations.

4. This is ICLEI’s logo and “About ICLEI” taken from their very own website. ICLEI is an association of over 1220 local government members who are committed to sustainable development. They provide technical consulting, training and information services to build capacity, share knowledge and support local government in the implementation of sustainable development at the local level. Our basic premise is that locally designed initiatives can provide an effective and cost efficient way to achieve local, national and global sustainability objectives. (ICLEI Website, www.iclei.org/index.php?id=about “About ICLEI”)

5. ICLEI’s Mission and Mandate • ICLEI's mission is to build and serve a worldwide movement of local governments to achieve tangible improvements in global sustainability with special focus on environmental conditions through cumulative local actions. (ICLEI Website, www.iclei.org/index.php?id=744) • ICLEI's general mandate is to build an active and committed municipal membership of local spheres of government (local and regional governments and authorities) as well as international, regional, national and sub-national local government associations. (ICLEI Website, www.iclei.org/index.php?id=744)

6. There are currently 6 ICLEI Members in Georgia(www.iclei.org/index?id=11454) • Two County Governments • Athens-Clarke County • Chatham County • Four City Governments • Atlanta • Decatur • Savannah • Tybee Island

7. Refer to the following website which has a full copy of Agenda 21www.un.org/esa/dsd/agenda21/. Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System, Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which human impacts on the environment. Section I is entitled Social and Economic Dimensions, Section II – Conservation and management of resources for Development, Section III – Strengthening the Role of Major Groups, Section IV – Means of Implementation It is a 300 page document that is the hallmark literature for the sustainable development philosophy.

8. What is Agenda 21? • Origin - The term Sustainable Development was first introduced to the world in the pages of a 1987 report entitled “Our Common Future” which was produced by the United Nations World Commission on Environmental and Development, authored by Gro Harlem Brundtland, VP of the World Socialist Party. (Source-whatisagenda21.com) • The term was first offered as official UN policy in 1992, in a document called UN Sustainable Development Agenda 21, issued at the UN’s Earth Summit. • More than 178 nations adopted Agenda 21 as official policy during a signing ceremony at the Earth Summit. US president George H.W. Bush signed the document for the US. In signing, each nation pledged to adopt the goals of Agenda 21. • “Agenda 21 proposes an array of actions which are intended to be implemented by Every person on Earth…it calls for specific changes in the activities of ALL people….Effective execution of Agenda 21 will require a profound reorientation of ALL humans, unlike anything the world has ever experienced.” (Agenda 21: The Earth Summit Strategy to Save Our Planet (Earthpress 1993)) • “Current lifestyles and consumption patterns of the affluent middle class – involving high meat intake, use of fossil fuels, appliances, home and work air conditioning, and suburban housing are not sustainable.” (Maurice Strong, Secretary General of the UN’s Earth Summit, 1992.)

9. Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act & Georgia EPD Signed into law in 1975 by then Governor George Busbee. Erosion is the process by which the land surface is worn away by the action of wind, water, ice or gravity. Water-generated erosion is unquestionably the most damaging and is thus the problem to which this manual is primarily addressed. Georgia EPD’s mission is to protect and restore Georgia’s environment. We take the lead in ensuring clean air, water and land. With our partners, we pursue a sustainableenvironment that provides a foundation for a vibrant economy and healthy communities. (http://www.gaepd.org/Documents/mission.html) Georgians have a right to and a responsibility for a healthy environment and the conservation of our natural resources. (http://www.gaepd.org/Documents/mission.html) Environmental stewardship, protection of human health, and economic vitality are compatible and mutually beneficial goals. (http://www.gaepd.org/Documents/mission.html) Defined the term “State Waters”.

10. State Waters • The introduction of the definition of the word “state waters” is provided. A “state water” includes any and all rivers, streams, creeks, branches, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, drainage systems, springs, wells, and other bodies of surface or subsurface water, natural or artificial, lying within or forming a part of the boundaries of the State, which are not entirely confined and retained completely upon the property of a single individual, partnership, or corporation.(NPDES Training Manual, Page 3)

11. NPDES • The origin of NPDES comes from the US Clean Water Act of 1972. • The EPD enforces NPDES law and the fines for violations can be up to $32,500 per violation per day. • LIA (Local Issuing Authority) may fine an individual or company in violation of NPDES law up to $2,500.00 per day.(GESA 12-7-15) • The state stream buffer law begins to be enforced as 25 feet for a warm stream and 50 feet for a trout stream in the year 2000. This buffer is state controlled by the EPD. • LIA’s are given the option by the State of Georgia of increasing the stream buffer to whatever distance they wish without any scientific evidence to support this distance. Most municipalities have chosen 75 feet from the point of rested vegetation. • The exemption of agricultural and forestry practices from stream buffers was included to prevent opposition from these groups.(O.C.G.A. 12-4-72) and (GESA 12-7-17(5), (6) and of course they exempt themselves as well. (GESA 12-7-17(7))

12. Remember those first quotes provided? • There were three quotes provided at the beginning of this presentation. The first one quotes the US Constitution and the second and third quote the Georgia Constitution. • Notice that all of the organizations or laws enacted do not quote or have any interest in the property rights of the individual. • All of the laws, acts and organizations mentioned have one thing in common: THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT…without any consideration of the individual’s liberty or their property rights. • All of these laws, acts and organizations mentioned have all come about in the last few decades. Oddly enough George Bush Sr. was the President who accepted or invited Agenda 21 into the US in 1992 at the Rio Summit. • Bill Clinton followed up his presidency by creating the President’s Council on Sustainable Development by Executive Order #12852 on June 29, 1993, which gave life to UN Agenda 21 in the United States. (source-www.archives.gov/federal-register/executive-orders/pdf/12852) • We are exactly 20 years behind the environmental movement in the United States.

13. Words mean things. Most of the words that the environmentalist and government agencies are using have only recently come into common use. Lets briefly look at some of these concepts. • Form commonly used words: • Sustainable Development • Social Equity or Justice • Green Jobs • Smart Growth

14. Sustainable Development • A concept developed by Maurice Strong formally introduced in 1983 by way of a United Nations resolution forming a commission. • The resolution formed a Commission in December of 1992 entitled CSD or Commission on Sustainable Development. This organization was created to monitor and report on implementation of Agenda 21. • A pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come. • The concept of needs in particular means the essential needs of the world’s poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment’s ability to meet present and future needs. • All definitions of sustainable development require that we see the world as a system – a global system that connects space; and a system that connects time. America is connected to Asia and Africa, etc. • First and Foremost, Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development are synonymous with an Action Plan.

15. What are some of the Sustainable DevelopmentAction plans? • The Wildlands Project • The elimination of human presence on over 50% of the American landscape and heavily controlled activity on most of the rest of the American land • Smart Growth • Dense human settlements subject to increasing controls on how we live and increasing restrictions on our mobility Presented by FreedomAdvocates.org

16. WILDLANDS PROJECT

17. Graphic representations of “Sustainable Development” Worldbank.org Wikipedia.org

18. Social Equity • This term is credited to H. George Frederickson from the University of Kansas who describes social equity as a pillar of public bureaucracy. • Social Equity is the logical expected outcome of sustainable development. • Wikipedia’s definition of Social Equity implies fair access to livelihood, education and resources; full participation in the political and cultural life of the Community. • Social equity by the way is just another word for and is by its very definition socialism or social equality.

19. Green Jobs • A concept that was initially introduced at the Rio summit as “green works”. • As originally stated, was meant to create jobs for the poor, needy, disadvantaged , disenfranchised, minorities, and lesser skilled laborers. • Agenda 21 defines it this way: Green works’ programs should be activated to create self-sustaining human development activities and both formal and informal employment opportunities for low-income urban residents. • Wikipedia defines a green job similarly but adds: these are jobs that help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity, reduce energy, materials, and water consumption, through high efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or altogether avoid all forms of waste and pollution.

20. Smart Growth • Smart Growth is an urban planning and transportation theory that concentrates growth in compact walkable urban centers to avoid sprawl. • Smart Growth values long-range, regional considerations of sustainability over a short term focus. • New Urbanism is a similar term. • Both terms focus on removing individual transportation methods and replacing them with walkable neighborhoods. • Create hubs or compact neighborhoods of development that are interconnected by public transit (very similar to Russia). • Encourages increased density and the removal of low density housing (i.e. individual housing)

21. In their own words… • Maurice Strong (Father of Agenda 21) – We may get to the point where the only way of saving the world will be for the industrial civilization to collapse. • Maurice Strong – The world community must move towards a more objective and consistent system of effecting resource transfers similar to that used to redress imbalances and ensure equity within national societies. Financing the transition to sustainable development should not be seen merely in terms of extra costs, but rather as an indispensable investment in global environmental security. • Van Jones (Former Obama Green Jobs Czar and Self Proclaimed Communist) – We are saying we want to move from suicidal gray capitalism to some kind of eco-capitalism…so the green economy will start off as a small subset and we’re going to push it and push it and push it through until it becomes the engine for transforming the whole society.

22. Solutions What can we do? Answers We must remind ourselves and those around us that we do in fact have a legal right to private property and to its enjoyment. We must unite together and form an organization that does just that. All Property Owners, Period!!! • Remember those first quotes? • Is there currently an organization in Georgia that is educating people about the dangers of the environmental movement on our property rights? • Who has been, is currently and will be affected by these new organizations and laws which prohibit and limit property rights?

23. The true legacy of America • We must preserve the true legacy of America, which is FREEDOM! • We must preserve our private property rights which were given us by the US Constitution and State of Georgia Constitution. • Let me introduce to you an organization that believes in freedom and private property rights.

24. Freedom & Property Foundation’s Mission • We believe in the foundational freedom of private ownership and enjoyment of real property and that without this freedom, tyranny prevails. The legal and illegal plunder of real property must be prevented if we hope to pass on a worthy legacy to the next generation.

25. Our Vision • We want to reverse the damage that has been done over the last 20 years to all citizens’ property rights. This is a large vision that requires many steps along the way. The destruction of those rights did not happen overnight, and neither will the cure.   • The cure involves educating citizens, state legislators, and county and city legislators about the danger of arbitrarily usurping property rights in the name of protecting the environment.

26. Our Short Term Goals • Establish a web and social media presence. • Plan a yearly event during the State of Georgia Legislative Session and invite members of our organization and State Senators and Congressman to hear a well known speaker. • Provide weekly presentations for other organizations that share a common mission or vision. • Establish contact with state legislators and begin an ongoing lobbying effort within the State and Local Level. • Develop literature, videos, pamphlets, etc which educate and inform members and potential new members.

27. Examples of Property Rights Violations • Sackett vs. Environmental Protection Agency • Idaho Couple obtained a building permit which was revoked shortly before they were about to build near Priest Lake in the Idaho Panhandle. • Mike Sackett told CNN in January “We are here to stand up for the property rights and the constitutional rights of all Americans”…he went onto say “We felt blindsided by the EPA, and we remain determined to fight”. • A six year fight ensued between business and property rights groups against the federal government and the environmental community. • Supreme Court rules in favor of the Sackettsrights, but it was not a conclusive victory. • EPA Spokesman says “EPA will of course fully comply with the Supreme Court’s decision, which the agency is still reviewing, as we work to protect clean water for our families and future generations by using the tools provided by Congress to enforce the Clean Water Act. • The Sackettsproperty did not border Priest Lake, but the EPA determined that gravel on the lot amounted to a pollutant into “waters of the state”. • Does any of this sound familiar?

28. Here is a real life example of the affect of a 75’ county stream buffer on an existing residence.

29. Minor Examples of Property Rights Violations • Dekalb County changed their development department to the “Planning and Sustainability” Department • The City of Atlanta forces anyone who wants to remove a tree to pay a tax of $200 per tree and $30 per dbh. For example a 20” pine tree would cost a homeowner $800 in fees to the City of Atlanta (this does not include the cost to pay to have it removed). • Dekalb County has several ordinances that make it very difficult to even build a single family home: “Must preserve all trees 6” and greater in the front yard and in the rear half of the rear yard of infill lots”. • Do you mean I could not build a house if I have to remove a tree in the front yard to do it? Yes that is the way the ordinance reads, they may not enforce it that way now, but they will eventually. • The City of Sandy Springs has an ordinance that requires a single family home to have a sprinkler system if the home is too close to another home. “IF THIS RESIDENCE IS CONSTRUCTED CLOSER THAN 20 FEET TO ANOTHER RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE OR OTHER OUTBUILDING LARGER THAN 300 SQ. FT., AUTOMATIC SPRINKLERS SHALL BE REQUIRED IN THE KITCHEN AND FUEL FIRED EQUIPMENT ROOM PURSUANT TO THE CITY OF SANDY SPRINGS FIRE ORDINANCE 2006-11-86: CHAPTER 15, HEALTH & PUBLI SAFETY, WHICH BECAME EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 8, 2006”. This began to be enforced just this year… • The path to the destruction of private property may be slow, but a slow death is much more easily obtained without opposition.

30. Key Resources • Cato Institute is very active in property rights laws: go to www.cato.org/property-rights • All of the organizations mentioned above have websites • www.iclei.org • www.un.org/esa/dsd/agenda21/index.shtml • www.iisd.org • One of the best books on the topic of property rights and the rise of the environmental movement is “Eco Tyranny” by Brian Sussman. • YouTube has a ton of videos about these topics, just type any of the following: agenda 21, Maurice Strong, ICLEI, EPA. • They spell out their agenda, we don’t have to guess anymore.

31. Why a property rights organization? • First of all, there are currently no property rights organizations in Georgia that are very active. • We are way behind. The environmental movement really sank its teeth in our economy exactly 20 years ago. • Those who want more government control are never going to come out and say that. • There needs to be an organization that is local, involved, and actively educating and advocating property rights. • JOIN FREEDOM & PROPERTY FOUNDATION TODAY and receive a copy of Eco Tyranny with your membership.

32. Join Today • Be a part of a new organization being formed in Georgia to advocate, educate, activate, and if necessary, litigate for the promotion and defense of Property Rights… • Choose your level of participation • Level Individual Corporation • Basic Member $50 $100 • Supporting Member $100 $250 • Sponsoring Member $250 $500 • Founder $500 $1,000