Island Reporter
Denham denounces
efforts to undermine water quality
By BILL SCHILLER
(bschiller@breezenewspapers.com), Island Reporter, Captiva Current, Sanibel-Captiva Islander
Sanibel City Vice
Mayor Mick Denham has been long recognized among other community leaders
staunch in their advocacy of measures designed to maintain the ecological
purity of SWFL's coastal areas and inland waterways.
He is
currently leading a campaign against that he describes as an effort to
"preempt local government" from the utilization and implementation of
adopted policies that specifically help diminish and mitigate the environmental
and economical impact associated with algae blooms (red tides) whose origins
have been linked to man-made processes such as sewage disposal and
nitrogen-enriched elements of fertilizer found within storm water runoff.
Denham
appeared before members of the Lee County Legislative Delegation during a
meeting held November 8 at
During the
meeting, Denham provided some background on water problems that had previously
impacted
Accordingly,
between 2003 and 2007, the algae blooms which blanketed so many of the area
beaches were said to drastically impact the local tourism-based economy. In
2008, The City of Sanibel joined with
Denham
noted the researchers "clearly indicate that increased nitrogen loading
from storm water runoff, including fertilizer, contributed to the extensive
algae blooms in our coastal waters."
The
information ultimately empowered community leaders like Vice Mayor Denham and
strategists from Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council to develop a
system of "Best Management Practices."
With
widespread support from local legislature, Denham says a strategy was approved
which, at present, provides "the only tools" to protect the quality
of our waters and "ensure compliance" with State-mandated regulations
that, as Denham notes, will surely be enforced.
Denham
informed the Delegation that the adopted policies specifically provide means to
control storm water runoff, issues associated with fertilizer and septic waste
removal.
Despite
the support of local legislators who Denham describes as cognizant of the
manner in which water quality "impacts business, tourism, property values
and our entire way of life," Denham expressed concern that efforts are
underway to pre-empt local government from utilizing the tools developed to
correct the problem.
Denham expresses
concern that legislators, on a state level, will cave to corporate influences
he portrays as intent on undoing locally adopted ordinances. He encouraged the
Lee Delegation to work on behalf of all residents and prevent the pre-emption
of local ability to protect water quality.
While this
has been a frequent issue in recent years, and legislative bills have come and
gone, Denham says a current issue exists with measures that would alter a
program called TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load). TMDL essentially relates to
numeric criteria associated with allowable amounts of nutrients discharged in
water.
Jim Beaver
of the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council is also expressing concern
for TMDL, but more specifically House Bill 421 and Senate companion Bill
(SB604). These, says Beaver, are new incarnations of corporate tactics to skirt
around the rules. He is concerned that failure to follow local policies will
undo what he notes have been "measurable improvements."
As with
Denham, Beaver expressed disappointment that state leaders are not being more
supportive for an issue so vital to the economy.
"I
can't understand any state that doesn't want clean water," said Beaver,
"But, that seems to be the policy of our Governor and the agencies under
his direction."
Beaver
says voters who care about water quality have to be especially vigilant to
legislative attempts to undermine local policies, such as in the case of HB421
and SB604, which he depicts as being "disguised as an agricultural
bill".
"It
is getting much harder for the public to know what is going on, so you have to
pay close attention," said Beaver.
Vice Mayor
Denham agrees, and is continuing to ask for the public help as well as
legislative support. He has sent a letter to legislators on the House
Agriculture and Natural Affairs Subcommittee which is printed in its entirety
below:
A VOTE FOR
HB 421 IS A VOTE FOR A TAX INCREASE.
VOTE NO ON
THIS PREEMPTION BILL
Over the
next few years, local governments will be required increasingly to comply with
State-mandated water quality programs. These include reductions in nutrient
loading to local waters as part of the TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) program
and Numeric Nutrient Criteria. These programs are currently being implemented
and will be enforced.
The ONLY
tools available to local government to ensure compliance with these mandated
programs. Are:
(1) Establishing
the means to control Storm Water Runoff,
(2)
Controlling the use of Fertilizer, and
(3)
Finding the means to better manage Septic Waste Removal.
We wrote
resolutions incorporating these tools that have been approved by local cities
and councils, for implementation in their local areas. Preempting local
government from using any of these tools would infringe on the home rule rights
of local government and seriously hinder their ability to address water quality
and comply with state-mandated programs.
If we do
not use these tools now, "preventative maintenance" then the cost to
local taxpayers when State mandated water quality programs are enforced will be
huge
THESE
TOOLS ENABLE US TO APPLY, "PREVENTATIVE
MAINTENANCE" IF WE CANNOT USE THEM THE COST TO
Thank You
Vice Mayor
of Sanibel
Mick Denham