Following is one of many press releases from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection which have come out in the past few days. We admire the DEP for promoting Earth Day and we support a cleanup, a festival, and a pledge to reduce waste.
However, the DEP is in a unique position to do the real deal — how about denying permits for mining? What a long way that would go toward celebrating the Earth! How about denying excessive water withdrawal permits which further lower impaired rivers and springs? That too, would go a long way.
The DEP educates the public. Who educates the DEP?
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
-A river is like a life: once taken, it cannot be brought back-
Since Noah Valenstein stepped in as Secretary of DEP almost a year ago there have been glimmers of hope that they might be serious about stopping the continuing degradation of our springs and rivers. His real tests are before him – here’s hoping he can continue to manage the job.