Today, the trend continued; a 77-page amendment by Senator
Mayfield would make a weak bill even weaker, even less able to control the
pollution that is fueling the toxic algae that threatens our economy and health
but more palatable for the state’s polluters:
·
It serves water bottlers by making it easier to
get a consumptive use permit from a Water Management District Governing Board
(an earlier version of the bill made it harder).
·
It serves utilities by (1) fatally weakening
rules regarding the land application of sewage sludge (a.k.a. biosolids) in
sensitive watersheds and (2) making reclaimed sewage water a source for public
water supply systems without having the proper laws and technology in place to
make sure it is safe.
·
It serves polluters by failing to (1) fix the
broken basin management action plan program, (2) require agriculture to meet
water quality goals, and (3) eliminate preemption on local Rights of Nature
laws.
Once again, industry gets their way while our waters and future generations will pay the price.
Up to this point, we have been advocating that SB 712 needs
to be improved to earn our support. In light
of Senator Mayfield’s latest concessions, we now have no choice but to oppose her
amendment. SB 712 is no longer “not good enough;” it is now ineffective, bad
policy.
Please call or email your State Senator now and ask him or
her to Vote “No” on Senator Mayfield’s amendment when it is heard on the Senate
Floor tomorrow (March 5).
Tell your State Senator that it contains no positive provisions and only moves us backwards on protecting Florida’s waters. Any Legislator who supports Senator Mayfield’s amendment is voting in favor of polluters and water bottlers and against clean water and the people of Florida.
Tell your State Senator that it contains no positive provisions and only moves us backwards on protecting Florida’s waters. Any Legislator who supports Senator Mayfield’s amendment is voting in favor of polluters and water bottlers and against clean water and the people of Florida.