Protecting our waters is a community effort
Protecting our waters is a community effort. Every two years we have an opportunity to not only make our voices heard but make our vote count. By being active participants in electing our representatives we serve to gain champions of our environment including the precious coastal waters we all love to enjoy.
Here are three ways you can make your voice and your vote count:
- Stay informed by researching information on candidate’s views on Florida’s water and conservation issues at VoteWater, Florida Conservation Voters and Ballotopedia
- Ask Candidates Important Questions
- Need ideas? Here are the questions Florida Oceanographic submitted for the upcoming Gubernatorial debate relating to our water quality:
- The Blue-Green Algae Task Force was developed as a science-based approach to improving water quality, though only 12% of their recommendations have been implemented. What is your plan to ensure that our waters are not polluted by runoff from corporate agriculture interests, and will that include implementing the Blue Green Algae Task Force recommendations?
- Protecting the health of our estuaries and communities depends on sending water south from Lake Okeechobee. This is necessary to avoid polluting freshwater releases that lead to toxic algal blooms, the destruction of seagrass, and the deaths of thousands of manatees in our estuary. Stormwater Treatment Areas, managed by the South Florida Water Management District, are filter marshes that were constructed to clean the water sent south from Lake Okeechobee. Can you commit, today, to ensuring the water flowing south into Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) will be from Lake Okeechobee and not runoff from corporate agriculture? How will you ensure that agricultural interests manage their own runoff?
- Water Quality is vital to a thriving Florida economy. How do you plan to improve water quality? Specifically, what is your plan to reduce nutrient pollution from agriculture and stormwater runoff to meet the pollution levels (Total Maximum Daily Load or TMDL) established by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that are currently being exceeded and polluting our waterways?
- The Clean Water Act is vital to wetland protection in Florida. Wetland protection is necessary to reduce flooding and maintain the healthy ecosystems that support our thriving tourism economy. How will the State ensure wetlands are protected for the numerous environmental services and economic benefits they provide? Will you commit to making sure that our permitting system will be strengthened or at least not weakened under your leadership?
- Ask your questions here: Submit Your October 24th Debate Questions
- Need ideas? Here are the questions Florida Oceanographic submitted for the upcoming Gubernatorial debate relating to our water quality:
- VOTE and Stay Involved:
- Find out how and where to vote here:
- Vote 411
- Not eligible to vote? You can still make a difference by staying involved in the process. You can volunteer, donate, and educate elected officials on the issues most important to you!
- Find out how and where to vote here:
Stay informed about Florida Oceanographic’s Advocacy efforts and the key issues that impact our local environment and Florida’s greater ecosystems. Remember, it’s all connected!
