You must enable cookies for this web site to function properly. Urge Governor DeSantis To Safeguard Florida's Aquatic Environment The Issue:Florida's waterways are in trouble from years of neglect and outright abuse, resulting from the pursuit of profit over quality of life. What we put into our waters and how much we pump from the aquifers and take from our springs and rivers, together with how we use our waterways, all have an impact on our lives and the lives of every aquatic species.What You Can Do: Please add your information below to send a message asking Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to lead the way in safeguarding Florida's aquatic environment. Recipients Governor Ron D. DeSantis Contact *Required fields * Title: Mr. Ms. Mrs. Miss Dr. * First Name: * Last Name: * Your Email: * Address 1: Address 2: * City: * State / Province: Choose a State AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VA VT WA WI WV WY AS FM GU MH MP PR PW VI * ZIP / Postal Code: * Phone Number: Question - Not Required - Please add me to the following lists: FL Action Alerts National Action Alerts Paddle Tales: Bi-Monthly e-Newsletter Yes, I would like to receive periodic updates and communications from Save the Manatee Club. I would prefer not to share my personal information with Save the Manatee Club. Message Please Safeguard Florida's Aquatic Environment Dear [Decision Maker], * Personalize your message Our waters are sick from decades of abuse and bad policy. We need your leadership to safeguard our environment, which is the foundation of our state's heritage and economy. Specifically, please: 1. support improved protection for our springs, which suffer from reduced flow and nutrient pollution. Better practices must be implemented at the springshed level to reduce groundwater consumption and nutrient runoff. 2. encourage DEP to set protective Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs), and the Water Management Districts to set Minimum Flows and Levels (MFLs) that restore historic flows to our rivers and springs. These two agencies should be working together to implement water quality and quantity rules in concert. We cannot continue to treat these as separate issues. 3. work with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to improve Best Management Practices (BMPs) for agriculture. 4. ensure that local governments have the authority and encouragement to set strong fertilizer ordinances. 5. implore the Army Corps of Engineers to improve its management of releases from Lake Okeechobee and allow state agencies a role in setting the release schedule. 6. work with our Water Management Districts to better incentivize, or mandate if necessary, water conservation in all sectors: residential, industrial, and agricultural. We cannot achieve the recovery we need for our state's waters by maintaining the status quo and then throwing money at problems to try to clean up our mess. We need to prioritize our water quality and quantity, because without it, our state will become unlivable. Florida's citizens and visitors need your leadership on these crucial issues. Sincerely,