By Jacob Engles
After the Florida Legislature approved legislation days ago to put in place a long-term, comprehensive and streamlined approach to the state’s water supply and quality challenges, major conservation groups, water managers, agriculture groups and many of the state’s employers applauded the bill’s passage.
Opposition, predictably, is coming largely from environmental activist organizations who have long demanded strict federal regulation of water supplies and taking authority away from local water management districts. The comprehensive legislation, which Governor Scott is expected to sign, is the result of lengthy negotiations among conservationists, farmers, businesses and local governments.
One of the state’s leading conservation organizations says the bill will enhance the state’s natural water systems while allowing for future economic growth. In a statement, Temperince Morgan, Executive Director of the Florida Nature Conservancy, said, “The Florida Legislature has shown its commitment to addressing Florida’s water challenges by passing a water bill that includes some significant positive changes to statewide water policy.”
“Throughout the past three years, The Nature Conservancy has worked with several members on this legislation and we appreciate the inclusion of provisions by the Legislature, to ensure that projects which produce water for the environment and for people are planned for concurrently.
These changes will benefit Florida’s natural systems and provide water for Florida’s present and future economic growth and development. We encourage the legislature to provide enhanced funding to enable the vigorous implementation of measures for springs protection, and water quality and quantity improvements that will benefit natural systems and people.”
“The Nature Conservancy thanks the legislature for including these important points in the final version of the bill and appreciates the leadership of Speaker of the House Steve Crisafulli, Senate President Andy Gardiner and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam,”continued Morgan. “
TNC has been working towards strengthening water policy as one of our long term goals. We will continue our efforts to achieve the vision we have for the future of Florida’s water, by ensuring meaningful provisions are included in future legislation. Incremental changes can have great impacts.
We look forward to continuing our work with the Legislature throughout the session to address the many issues facing Florida and the environment.”
Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post & Seminole County Post. He is a seasoned political operative who has led numerous statewide political groups and has worked on several high-profile local, statewide, and national races. Jacob has been interviewed on national television & radio programs, with his work having been featured in the Orlando Sentinel, New York Times, Washington Post, Miami Herald and other publications nationwide. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com
