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Tag: Florida Everglades

Reel Time: A new direction for Florida’s marine environment

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Archives.

At a press conference Jan. 10 at Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida’s new Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, announced some sweeping changes to the way his administration will handle Florida’s mounting water crisis.

The actions announced in the first two days of his term have been heralded by anglers, environmentalists and many Democrats. In an executive order signed that same day, DeSantis indicated he would be expanding efforts by increasing environmental funding, relying on sound science and pushing for quick action on Everglades area restoration.

In another action, he requested the resignation of the entire South Florida Water Management District board.

The specifics of the order call for $2.5 billion over the next four years for Everglades restoration and water resource protection, a $1 billion increase over what was spent the prior four years. Other key features include the creation of the Office of Environmental Accountability and Transparency and the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection, both within the Department of Environmental Protection.

I think it’s important to applaud the governor for these long overdue actions while keeping a close eye on what follows with the Republican-controlled Legislature that has been closely aligned with agricultural interests that have been blamed for much of the runoff that may be fueling both the red tide and blue-green algae.

reel time DeSantis
Gov. Ron DeSantis announces his resolve to follow through with his campaign promise to address Florida’s water crisis. He is flanked by, from left, Mote’s Dr. Michael Crosby and Hell’s Bay Boat Company owner Chris Peterson. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

My main concern is the apparent change of course for a politician who, as a senator, consistently voted against sound environmental policy. True, DeSantis made the environment of Florida and the much-publicized red tide and blue-green algae threat the centerpiece of his campaign and is apparently following through with that promise. Looking for a valid explanation one doesn’t have to go too far. While all red tides are bad for businesses on Florida’s west coast (and occasionally the east coast), this episode finally got the attention it deserves as influential businesses, including developers, real estate agents and the $82 billion-dollar tourist industry felt the impact. While these actions are long overdue and the right thing to do, it’s also a wise political move.

I’ve fished local waters since the early 80s and have seen firsthand the slow but steady decline of many of our fisheries. True, there have been some bright spots as local governments have worked to control storm and sewage releases, and groups like the Coastal Conservation Association have lobbied for change.

But a look at Florida’s history really brings home the extent of what we’re losing and what has been lost. This past year, books I’ve read have helped me see the place where I’ve lived for four decades with new eyes. Jack Davis’ “Gulf, The Making of An American Sea,” Michael Grundwald’s “The Swamp, The Everglades, Florida, and The Politics of Paradise” and “A Land Remembered” by Patrick D. Smith, showed me a once-resplendent Florida that few can imagine.

It’s an age-old problem as people have come to Florida over the decades and are enchanted by its natural beauty. Compared to other more compromised areas of the country some see no problem in sacrificing a few mangroves and natural habitat in the name of progress. When we have lived here for a while, we begin to see the effects of this gradual compromise as new residents arrive not having that same experience.

It’s unfortunate that the environment had to get to the condition it’s in to effect change, but maybe this time will be different. All Floridians should applaud the governor and support him in efforts to protect our water, air and natural assets. We should also be vigilant and hold our politicians to the task of protecting our most valuable assets. Stay tuned!

More Reel Time:

Reel Time: The miracle of Matlacha

Reel Time: Sarasota Bay seagrasses take a big hit

Reel Time: Kids for Clean Water

Florida Everglades

“Now or Neverglades” campaign to save Everglades

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Environment, Outdoors.

The Everglades earned the nickname “river of grass” because of the shallow water that courses through the sawgrass marshes and hammocks from the Kissimmee River to Lake Okeechobee and south to Florida Bay.

At one time the rich soil was almost completely covered by water. That all changed in the early 20th century when settlers and farmers lured by the promise of inexpensive land moved south to Florida. When they found the land covered by water they began to construct canals and dikes to drain the land for agriculture.

In 1905 Florida Gov. Napoleon Broward began an intensive effort to make the land suitable for agriculture and development by draining large areas of the Glades. This created vast tracks of farmland and stimulated the growth of Miami and Ft. Lauderdale. As a result flood control was needed to protect these interests. In 1948 Congress authorized the largest water management system in the world to protect agriculture interests and create a source of drinking water to supply the rapidly growing Gold Coast. It included an extensive system of levees, canals and dams that channeled nearly two billion gallons of water to the coasts.  Now or Neverglades

The subsequent loss of water changed the Everglades in a profound way impacting native animals, fish and wading birds. This loss of water and the run-off from agriculture paved the way for exotic plants to take hold and fueled the growth of algae. As a consequence the Everglades is now one half its original size.

Fast forward to the 21st century and the negative impacts of this grandiose plumbing project are having a profound (negative) effect on the estuaries on both the west and east coasts as well as Florida Bay to the south. It’s also threatening the drinking water supply of one third of Floridians. The excess water that is discharged from Lake Okeechobee is funneled via the Caloosahatchee River to Pine Island Sound and the St. Lucie River which supplies water to the Indian River Lagoon. The water, overloaded with nutrients, loses vital oxygen, is clouded and reduces the salinity of the brackish waters it enters. Worst of all the nutrients feed algae blooms that remove more oxygen from the water and prevent sunlight from reaching the sea grass meadows. These discharges have had a disastrous impact on the two estuaries killing huge areas of seagrass, tens of thousands of fish and alarming homeowners, anglers and environmentalists. The algae bloom was so bad last year it was dubbed “Mean Green 2016.”

The reduced water flow to the south is also having a negative effect on Florida Bay one of the state’s richest fisheries where increased salinity is changing the complexion of the whole ecosystem.

Everglades Restoration has had a long history of challenges but it also has passionate allies. On January 26, 2017 Senator Rob Bradley introduced Senate Bill 10 which if passed will create two reservoirs south of Lake Okeechobee that will  provide 120 billion gallons of extra storage, which will drastically increase the amount of water moving through the Everglades to Florida Bay. This will also result in close to a 50% decrease in water that is released to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. The bill is supported by Senate President Joe Negron who is a resident of Stuart (situated on the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon). The bill will direct the South Florida Water Management District to find willing sellers of land suitable for the “reservoir project.” If willing sellers are not found the bill will charge the District to acquire the necessary land according to language of a contract signed in 2010 by U.S. Sugar that authorized the sale of 153,000 acres. Money to cover the states’ commitment will be provided through funds from Amendment 1 passed by voters in 2014.  This bill is the most promising indication of the need for change and the support of Florida voters.

A grassroots organization, bullsugar, founded by Stuart residents is spreading the word and the Now or Neverglades message that the solution to this crisis is neither an engineering or a scientific one.  They realize that it requires a political solution and that Senate Bill 10 is the best hope to address the destructive discharges and to restore clean water to the Everglades and Florida Bay.  Concerned citizens are encouraged to contact their representatives to voice their support for the bill. To find out how you can help and learn more about the problem and the solution go to www.bullsugar.org.