Florida’s natural environment is threatened. Fragile flora and fauna, which sustain locals and tourism alike, are dying. Thirteen contaminants in drinking water were sampled across the Sarasota County water supply, according to a study on drinking water quality by nonprofit Environmental Working Group. Red tides and contaminated stormwater runoff, FL-16’s biggest threats, must be contained immediately.
In 2019 Sarasota County was sued for violating the Clean Water Act by dumping excessive gallons of treated wastewater and nitrogen into the county’s surface waters. Nitrogen is one of the most prominent pollutants in the Sarasota bays, found in the raw sewage negligently emptied into waterways leading into Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay, Dona Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. In Sarasota Bay, red tide, caused by algae that pollutes the water by releasing toxic chemicals, has found a home. These harmful blooms stimulate health complications in those who rely on the water, such as respiratory illnesses, neurotoxicity, and gastrointestinal disorders.
FL-16 incumbent Republican Vern Buchanan claims to be an environmental advocate, but his voting record tells otherwise. Under his watch, water pollution and water quality issues in the Sarasota area have continued to decline in importance. He has voted against all attempts to combat the warming of Gulf Waters and maintain water pollution. Buchanan even co-sponsored a bill to oppose expanding the Clean Water Act to protect more Florida streams and rivers. He continues to boast his sponsorship of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Control Amendments Act of 2017, moving red tide and oxygen deficiency to NOAA oversight where research and funds are more limited. Vern Buchanan’s false persona as an environmental activist stems from his long history of supporting only environmental bills that will never come into fruition.
Margaret Good, FL-16 Democratic nominee, will strengthen Florida's fragile environment. Her voting record proves that. Good consistently advocated for vulnerable ecosystems in the Florida House of Representatives and as she served on the Transparency and Public Management Subcommittee. She has publicly pushed for increased examination of red tide and its effects on the natural environment, as well as stricter regulations. During the 2019 legislative session, Good filed a bill (HB 737) that would cut back on herbicides sprayed into Florida waters. She is pushing for stormwater drainage improvements to reduce oil, pesticides, toxins, bacteria, and other pollutants that contaminate local waterways. “We cannot continue to use chemicals to treat bodies of water without considering their impact on our water supply,” stated Good.
Good makes the case clear on the dire need for more stormwater regulation. Florida’s stormwater rules have not been updated since 1995. As the Sarasota area continues to urbanize, pollutants have increased access to numerous waterways. “Because clean water is a priority in Southwest Florida, I believe we need to take actual, substantive policy action to correct what we have done to Florida’s environment,” she said. In order to have adequate water quality, Good believes Florida must take measures toward cleaning stormwater runoff before it enters the waterways. Citizens, wildlife, tourists, and all of the environments are deeply impacted by water welfare. Poor water quality poses a risk to people’s health and the functionality of ecosystems. Understanding the need for decisive action to prevent further damage is one of the biggest issues facing FL-16. A brighter future for Florida includes brighter waters.
Written by Left of Center Florida Specialist Elle McMahan