Short Answer: We do! Through the people we vote for.
Florida’s registered voters elect officials and representatives who make water-related decisions at all levels of our federal and state governments, from the President of the United States on down to city and town council members.
The President of the United States appoints the directors of federal agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency, that can make decisions that affect the Ichetucknee. Working with the U.S. Congress, the President may also set or encourage policies that can affect the Ichetucknee. The President may sign bills passed by Congress or may choose to veto them.
Florida’s U. S. Senators and Representatives write and pass bills that may govern how (or if) water is protected throughout the country. If those bills are signed into law by the President of the United States, they may pre-empt state and local laws.
The Governor of Florida appoints the Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the agency charged with controlling water pollution by enforcing pollution-related laws. The Florida Cabinet must approve this appointment.
The Governor of Florida also appoints people to the Boards of Directors of the state’s water management districts. Board members make decisions about who is granted water use permits. Currently, there are no springs, water or environmental advocates on the Board of Directors of the Suwannee River Water Management District.
The Governor of Florida also appoints the Administrative Law Judges who preside over legal challenges to state actions.
Because s/he makes these important appointments, whoever is the Governor of Florida has control over how Florida’s water laws and water policies are interpreted and how strictly they are enforced.
State Legislators—members of the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives—pass bills related to water use and water pollution. The Governor of Florida may then either veto the bills or sign them into law.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP or DEP) is the state’s lead agency for environmental stewardship and is charged with protecting our water from pollution. The Secretary of DEP is appointed by the Governor of Florida.
The Office of Water Policy in the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services works with agricultural producers, industry groups, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the university system and the Florida water management districts to develop and implement Agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) addressing both water quality and water conservation. To date, there is no scientifically verifiable evidence that BMPs have made a significant difference in conditions in any of Florida’s freshwater springs.
Board members of the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) make decisions about who will get large water use permits (formerly called consumptive use permits). Board members are appointed by the Governor of Florida and the District is overseen by the Florida DEP, whose secretary is also appointed by the Governor of Florida.
Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) preside over legal challenges brought by the public and other organizations to state agency actions. The ALJs are appointed by the Governor of Florida.
County Commissioners and City Commissioners make decisions about zoning and land use regulations that can affect water use and water pollution. Local ordinances may sometimes be pre-empted by State and Federal laws.
Sample Questions for Candidates for Public Office
Here are some things to consider and some questions to ask of candidates when you are deciding how to vote. Don’t be afraid to ask candidates probing questions!
- When was the last time you visited one of Florida’s freshwater springs? What was the occasion?
- What is the connection between Florida’s freshwater springs and our drinking water?
- Please describe the scientific method and tell us why you do or do not support the use of science to guide public decisionmaking.
- Why are you running for office? What’s your main motivation?
- What is your track record for environmental protection? Give specific examples. (The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior.)
- What is your specific plan for improving flow and water quality in Florida’s springs and rivers?
- Do you support reframing the role of our water managers from fixing water problems to preventing water problems?
- Who are your biggest financial supporters? (Here’s a website you may use to search for information:
http://dos.elections.myflorida.com/campaign-finance/contributions/) - Do you consider environmental concerns to be a “special interest” or a common interest? (Our water supply is a common interest, not a special one.)
- Describe the connection between the health of our springs and rivers and the health of our economy.
- Describe the connection between the health of our springs and rivers and human health.
- Finally, consider: Is this candidate someone you trust to make wise decisions about the Ichetucknee?