Demand Clean Water Now
Most of my readers are fishermen. For obvious reasons they need clean water. But all humans and most other organisms require clean water. Since our elected and appointed officials are in many cases taking liberties with that vital resource, it’s time all responsible citizens demand clean water now.
Should Florida’s citizens have to put up with this? Is it a sewer or a river?
On December 1 the Indian River Lagoon Paddle Adventure kicked off. One of the reasons we made this paddle voyage is to highlight the plight of the most biologically diverse estuary in North America. What plight, you ask? Algae blooms have badly fouled lagoon waters the past two summers, caused by nutrient overload in the north half of the lagoon. Nutrient-laden fresh water discharges from Lake Okeechobee have wreaked havoc on the south half of the lagoon for years.
Coming soon to a faucet near you?
It’s got to stop.
There are similar problems going on in water bodies state-wide. Coral reefs in the Keys are dying. What happened to the bonefish??? Springs are losing flow. The Floridan Aquifer is becoming polluted. Click on this link to see the hot spots in your community (and there probably are some). Click this link to see photos of the nasty stuff. Is your favorite fishing hole here yet?
If we don’t take action the quality of life we so often take for granted will continue to spiral downward.
The Indian River Lagoon has gotten bad press for the past two years. “Toxic algae blooms”, “fish kills”, “dead dolphins and manatees”, “loss of seagrass”, “a dying lagoon.” It’s affected the economy of the region. Tourists don’t want to visit or go fishing on a dying lagoon.
No one needs to re-invent the wheel. There already exists a core of clean water activists. Help them by offering support in any way you can. You can volunteer at this link…
One easy way to offer support is by signing the Floridian’s Clean Water Declaration.
FLORIDIANS’ CLEAN WATER DECLARATION
In recognition that:
Clean water is essential for healthy people and a healthy economy. Florida water quality and quantity are inseparably linked.
Florida waters are held in public trust by the State of Florida for the benefit of its people and the maintenance of natural ecosystems.
We the undersigned hereby declare:
The people of Florida have an inalienable right to:
- Clean drinking water whether that water is drawn from public sources or private wells.
- Safe lakes, streams, springs, rivers, canals and coastal waters for swimming and fishing.
- Protection from water pollution and its effects.
- Know the sources of pollution that threaten Florida’s waters.
- Protection from water privatization and its effects.
- Abundant water for drinking, fishing and recreation.
The people of Florida, the state government, and the industries that benefit from Florida’s natural resources have the responsibility to:
- Stop pollution at its source rather than allowing it to enter our waters.
- Protect Florida’s waters, as well as the people who depend on them, fromoverconsumption and privatization.
- Protect the natural environment which is critical to the health of Florida’s people,wildlife and economy.
- Provide clean water for future generations.
By signing this declaration, we agree to its principles and resolve to work together in good faith to ensure that the future of our waters will be driven by the concepts contained within this FLORIDIANS’ CLEAN WATER DECLARATION.
If you agree with this statement and want to sign on, please visit this link NOW…
It only makes sense that we all demand clean water now.
John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com
All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2013. All rights are reserved.
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