Environmental & Public Health Priorities for Southwest Florida 2024

Off Shore Oil Drilling Continues to Be a Threat to Florida
Oil drilling has placed the Gulf of Mexico, an area of high environmental sensitivity and marine productivity, at risk. Presently the region supports numerous species of wildlife, major commercial and recreational fisheries and several species of endangered animals. ManaSota-88 supports to permanently prohibit the conduct of offshore drilling on the outer Continental Shelf off the State of Florida. There is no need to rush to develop non-renewable natural resources, less environmentally damaging fuels should be used.
Reducing Toxic Pesticide Use in Florida Schools

Pesticides by their very nature are poisons. They are designed to be toxic to a particular plant or animal. Unfortunately, pesticides also pose a danger to human health. Adopting statewide legislation that supports Integrated Pest Management programs in the schools is a positive step in reducing the toxic chemical effects pesticides have on human health.
Braden River Fish Decline

There has been a significant decline in fish populations in the Braden River located in Manatee County, Florida. An immediate investigation of the causes of these declines is needed.

A priority in the management of the Braden River should be the protection of essential habitat values and the maintenance and improvement of a productive aquatic community. The lack of historical water quality data, and the lack of a plan to collect future water quality data for the Braden River, is a significant issue.
Conservation Easement Compliance Study
An evaluation of conservation easements in Sarasota and Manatee counties need to be surveyed to determine the status of compliance with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection permitting criteria. The location and number of sites inspected will depend on available funding and access to the sites.
Hurricane Evacuation Time Disclosures for Coastal Development is Needed
Disclosure of hurricane evacuation times prior to the purchase or rental of residential property is a significant step toward public safety and awareness. Prospective buyers and renters have the right to know, and should be informed, whether they can or cannot safely evacuate from property they are considering purchasing or renting.
Air Quality and Growth Needs to be Linked Together
Florida needs to link air quality and growth to comprehensive land use planning. Florida is especially vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, due to its over 8,000 miles of tidal shoreline, with nearly 79% of its population living in coastal counties. Scientific evidence for global warming can no longer be ignored.
Florida Needs to Promote “Green Jobs”
“Green” corporate investments does lead to growth in certain job categories. As demand for green business strategies increases in building, mass transit, automobiles, wind and solar power and biofuels production, so will the need for skilled talent.
Florida Needs to Adopt a Clean Energy Policy 
A date certain should be adopted by which energy producing utilities must use a certain percentage of renewable energy sources, such as solar. The conservation requirements of electric utilities must be strengthened. We can conserve significant amounts of energy to help meet the nation’s goals while developing renewable energy resources.
Drinking Water Quality Monitoring Needs to be Improved
Currently there are no ground water or drinking water standard for Giardiasis, Cryptosporidiosis, or other pathogens except for fecal coliform, all of which can cause serious health threats. Monitoring for viruses in ground water drinking water sources is virtually nonexistent.
Restore Environment Program Funding
Priorities of state funding for environmental protection are near an all-time low. It is unfortunate that the inaction of Florida legislatures to adequately fund environmental and public health legislation will impact Floridians for years to come.
Restore Environmental Permitting Programs
Quality of life issues, particularly at the rate of growth Florida is experiencing, are important and should continue to be looked at. Since the health, welfare and quality of life of Florida residents are closely tied to efficient permitting activity, the Legislature needs to review environmental regulatory funding priorities.
Agricultural Land Conversions
The education of policy makers and landowners involved in setting priorities associated with the agricultural industry will be a critical factor in the protection of our natural resources.  What truly is needed is policy, both on the state and local levels that will protect the environmental integrity of the land and encourage the rebuilding of that which has previously been destroyed.