Several years ago, I remember watching a tribute to the late John Lewis, the Black American politician and civil-rights leader. Lewis encouraged people to speak up and act when they see wrongs that need to be righted. While Lewis will be remembered for his bravery in the face of incredible hostility and hatred centered on human rights, his message, I believe, speaks to the threat facing local waters and the habitat that supports it.
Coastal habitats plays a pivotal role in the lives of everyone that resides and works on the Suncoast, from construction workers in Lakewood Ranch to the charter fishing guides that support their families and our passion as anglers. That’s why it’s so important that we protect these irreplaceable treasures so that future generations might have the same opportunities we’ve had.
You’ve read in this column about the pressures on our fisheries and the insults to water quality and habitat that underpin our passion and our economy. It’s critical that we support organizations like Suncoast Waterkeeper, Oyster River Ecology and Sarasota Bay Watch that are addressing these issues. Through outreach, education and advocacy these organizations defend communities against the threats to clean water and habitat. Suncoast Waterkeeper, founded by Sarasota environmental attorney Justin Bloom, has been effective in forcing municipalities from St. Petersburg to Sarasota to adhere to the laws set down in the landmark Clean Waters Act. The legislation, signed into law in 1972, establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the U.S. and regulating quality standards for surface waters. Locally the law has allowed Suncoast Waterkeeper to force municipalities to address and redress the release of wastewater that has raised nutrient levels in local waters to dangerous levels.
Fortunately, it’s not too late to save these precious resources. Sarasota County, in a settlement with Suncoast Waterkeeper, just had a ribbon-cutting ceremony dedicating a $210 million dollar advanced wastewater system.
We all need to do our part by voting for proposals and leaders (both locally and federally) that support habitat protection and enhancement, as well as clean water. You can check a candidate’s voting record at the non-partisan League of Conservation Voters. For someone with no voting record, it’s enlightening to explore what interests are supporting their campaigns.
Join with Suncoast Waterkeeper to help with local clean water initiatives at www.suncoast waterkeeper.org. Learn about Sarasota Bay Watch and their work at www.sarasotabaywatch.org, and to learn about restoration at scale (17 acres of oysters), visit Oyster River Ecology. If we don’t step up, who will?
