Email from VoteWater Also: New DEEP DIVE into muck; and a look at a new bill to stop state parks development   SUPPORT OUR WORK Tell the Army Corps to stop the discharges! TAKE ACTION: Complete this letter to Col. Brandon Bowman with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; or email Bowman directly at [email protected] The flawed rationale behind discharges Wednesday is Day 5 of damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the “northern estuaries” (Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers and Lake Worth Lagoon). The releases could last through May. Army Corps officials say the goal of “Recovery Operations” is to give Lake O a break. But this type of “relief” only shifts the adversity, and there's no guarantee gains to the lake will be worth the pain inflicted upon the estuaries. For a closer look at the rationale behind the discharges, and how you can push back, visit VoteWater.org. READ MORE AT VOTEWATER.ORG DEEP DIVE: To help our water, get the muck out! Let’s face it: The Indian River Lagoon and its tributaries are mucked up. That is, they’re full of muck, a gooey mix of eroded soil, animal waste and both organic and inorganic matter that covers about 6,000 acres of the lagoon’s bottom and is up to 15 feet deep. Lake O discharges, in fact, are adding to our muck problem; the muck over time releases more nutrients into our waters, causing more problems. But removing it is neither easy nor cheap. For more on the issue, and what's being done to combat it, check out our latest "Deep Dive" at VoteWater.org. READ OUR LATEST 'DEEP DIVE' Bill would block development in state parks; here's what it says, and how it could be better The first of what looks to be several bills regarding the controversial proposal to develop Florida’s state parks has dropped, and it’s good. But it could be better. Filed by state Sen. Gayle Harrell of Stuart, Senate Bill 80 — the “State Park Preservation Act” — would prohibit construction of facilities like “golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts, ball fields, and other similar facilities” in state parks. The bill would allow for the construction of cabins and campsites, limiting occupancy to six people; but it bans construction of hotels or lodges — like the 350-room monstrosities proposed for several state park sites earlier this year. The act also prohibits development that “may cause significant harm to the resources of the state park," and requires parks be managed by prioritizing “conservation-based” activities like fishing, camping, hiking and canoeing. And it requires that the state publish details about plans to build in the state parks at least 30 days before any public meeting on the topic is held. Again: Pretty good, and it hits most of the high (low?) points. But we would definitely like to see that 30-day period before a meeting extended to at least 45 days, and ideally even longer. We’re also concerned about language that says public recreational uses must ensure “the conservation of this state’s natural resources by minimizing impacts to undisturbed habitat and using disturbed upland regions to the maximum extent practicable.” Well — what’s “disturbed” mean? Understand that Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County, where developers wanted to put a golf course, was once a military base; does that qualify as “disturbed?” Hopefully these details will be ironed out as legislation moves forward. Sen. Jennifer Bradley of Fleming Island has said she’ll be filing a separate bill; in the House, Rep. John Snyder of Martin County is expected to file companion legislation. We’ll be keeping an eye on these bills — and will keep you informed. Hey, we have new legislators... How much Dirty Money did they get? The answer, in most cases, is "too much." Big Sugar and other polluters gave "generously" in several key races around the state; in the coming weeks we'll have the rundown on who got what via our Dirty Money Project. BECOME A MEMBER DONATE NOW   P.S.: Floridians DON'T have the right to clean water; but you can change that VoteWater supports the drive to get a right to clean water amendment on the 2026 Florida ballot, and you can too! Sign the petition, make a donation, volunteer your time and help Floridians secure a future with clean and safe water for all.   VoteWater | 3727 SE Ocean Blvd. Suite 200A | Stuart, FL 34996 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice