The following article is a fine example of Florida’s covert water protection policies. They are very cleverly designed to appear to be actively working to solve the problems but in reality to do next to nothing to fix them. Their favorite ploy is to loudly tout the amount of money they are spending to help our rivers, springs and aquifer. This money is always very carefully allocated to projects guaranteed not to harm or slow down any polluter activity which makes money, be it large corporation or small mom and pop polluter.
If not for the seriousness of this sham, the article would be almost amusing, in the apparent naivete of the editorial board which is tainted with enough skepticism for us to know that they are not taken in by DeSantis’ shenanigans.
To be fair we must admit that at times the DEP purchases environmentally sensitive land and they promote septic-to-sewer projects. But for the most part they waste money by doing small Band-Aid actions which are carefully designed to avoid the polluters. For example, their famous Clean Water bill looked good at the beginning, but was re-written by the polluters so that they were not targeted. And DeSantis’ highly touted Blue-green Algae task force ended up supporting this industry-protecting bill, thus appearing to be his puppet.
Read the original article here in TCPalm.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
We’re the Sunshine State, but need a ‘Show Me’ governor on water quality issues | Our View
A little more than a year ago, TCPalm published an investigation that highlighted a number of shortcomings with the state’s efforts to limit water pollution flowing from Lake Okeechobee into coastal estuaries, including the St. Lucie River.
Among other issues, the report concluded there were an insufficient number of water quality monitors to pinpoint where pollutants were entering the watershed. Also, the report found there weren’t enough state employees assigned to inspect and enforce the provisions of the state’s Basin Management Action Plans, known as BMAPs.
The action plans, according to the state’s website, provide “a framework for water quality restoration that contains local and state commitments to reduce pollutant loading through current and future projects and strategies.”
All of which goes a long way toward explaining why blue-green algae blooms, which originate in the lake and move wherever water is discharged, sometimes make swimming, fishing, boating or earning a living along our local waterways a dangerously unhealthy proposition.
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That sounds very encouraging, but we’re keeping a healthy amount of skepticism until we learn more about the details of the governor’s plan, and when and how he plans to implement them.
For example, a key bullet point in the governor’s new plan is to “prioritize the protection of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) and secure at least $100 million annually for priority projects to improve water quality in the IRL.”
How will that money be spent? Will it cover the costs of more water quality monitors? The salaries of more state personnel to inspect water quality and issue meaningful penalties for landowners who violate basin management action plan provisions?
Also, what steps is the state prepared to take to ensure property owners better understand their duties to comply with water quality standards?
Other strategies mentioned in the plan include engaging stakeholders and expanding partnerships to identify and prioritize water quality projects, taking action to reduce nutrient contributions from all sources, and supporting innovative nature-based solutions and seagrass recovery propagation and planting efforts.
A key objective of the plan is to “strengthen Basin Management Action Plans and improve Agricultural BestManagement Practices.” All of which sounds laudable, provided it’s more than window dressing.
Many of them would require cooperation from the Florida Legislature, but DeSantis has never had much of a problem getting legislators to support his agenda in the past. If he wants to get the steps he outlined Jan. 10 done, they will be done.
Lots of promises to protect Florida’s environment in the past have gone unfulfilled, which breeds cynicism.
Like Charlie Brown rushing toward the football with hopes Lucy won’t pull it away this time, we’re ever hopeful.
If DeSantis and the Legislature make improving water quality one of their primary focuses this year, they could cement a legacy for themselves that would last for generations.
Oh, yeah: We keep hearing DeSantis might want to run for president someday. Getting meaningful water reforms across the goal line (through the goalposts?) could help with that, too.
If DeSantis really wants to make a political splash, he should follow through on his promises to improve Florida’s water.
Editorials published by TCPalm/Treasure Coast Newspapers are decided collectively by its editorial board. To respond to this editorial with a letter to the editor, email up to 300 words to TCNLetters@TCPalm.com.
