House members have proposed a resolution that would oppose designation of any part of the St. Johns that is not in Duval County. The House would only vote on the resolution if the other bill fails. The resolution, if approved, would not need Senate approval and would be sent to President Clinton. Designation supporters have fought efforts to narrow the nomination to Duval County. But Estus Whitfield, an environmental adviser to Gov. Lawton Chiles, said it's unclear whether such a resolution would hurt the St. Johns' nomination.
Chiles backs the nomination.
Delaney has spearheaded efforts for months to get the 310-mile St. Johns named as one of 10 rivers in the American Heritage Rivers program, which Clinton initiated last year. A federal panel is expected to choose the designated rivers next month. Supporters say the designation would put the St. Johns in line for federal cleanup money and other grants. Opponents fear it would lead to federal involvement in local land-use and development issues. The bill approved yesterday by the House would force at least a three-month delay in the river's nomination and would require approval of the nomination by the governor and Cabinet.