Email from VoteWater Also: Do tight budgets spell trouble for Everglades restoration? SUPPORT OUR WORK Which candidates have signed the pledge to Rescue the River of Grass? This election year the future of the Everglades is on the ballot. Though major projects like the EAA Reservoir are underway, more is needed to finally end toxic discharges to the northern estuaries and to provide the “River of Grass” and Florida Bay with the clean, fresh water it needs. That’s why VoteWater has joined other Florida conservation groups in backing a plan to “Rescue the River of Grass” — and now we’re asking political candidates to show their support, too. Last week VoteWater emailed nearly 300 south Florida candidates asking them to sign the pledge; as of this writing more than two dozen have responded. You can view them and access links to their campaign websites at this link; all candidates signing the pledge will be featured on the site and will be considered for VoteWater’s endorsement. Florida's waterways won't protect themselves — that depends on the leaders we elect. And few places need that commitment more than the Everglades, which requires public officials willing to champion restoration now and into the future. CANDIDATES: SIGN THE PLEDGE - CLICK HERE SFWMD budget crunch: What does it mean for Everglades restoration? Last week’s South Florida Water Management District Governing Board meeting featured a discussion about the upcoming budget that suggested the district is being stretched thin — and that could have ramifications for Everglades restoration. For all the infrastructure built and progress made in recent years, the district faces a massive and growing maintenance backlog. Upgrading and retrofitting existing infrastructure will cost at least $3 billion, Executive Director Drew Bartlett told the board. Meanwhile, new critical water infrastructure has increased 58% since 2009-2010. And new infrastructure means new costs; fuel and electric costs alone are up 79% since 2009-2010. So hard choices are looming; and that’s BEFORE the potential impact of the proposed property tax cut on the ballot this fall. Following the presentation, several governing board members noted pointedly that the district was founded for one reason: Flood control. And the insinuation seemed to be that if the budget’s tight enough, ecosystem restoration will come second. Said Governing Board member Tom Hurley: “Obviously Everglades restoration is what gets the headlines, but it only matters when it matters when it comes to flood control. I just hope we continue to reemphasize the importance of maintaining that.” Obviously flood control is critical; but we would suggest it’s not an either/or choice — Everglades restoration IS flood control. New reservoirs capture more rainfall; decompartmentalizing the system allows for expanded flows south. Indeed, Rescuing the River of Grass — see first item in this newsletter — would further aid flood control efforts. “We’re probably not going to cut our way out of” the budget situation, noted board chair Chauncey Goss, “but we can certainly shift our way out of this.” It remains to be seen what gets shifted where; but bottom line, leaner times may be on the way — and if we treat restoration as something nice to have but not crucial, it too could be cut — to the detriment of the entire system. READ MORE AT VOTEWATER.ORG State Sen. Shevrin Jones Oliver Gilbert III ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ ‘dirty money’ becomes issue in Congressional race Ah, “Alligator Alcatraz,” the gift that keeps on giving. Or taking, as the case may be. During a June 30 town hall debate in Miami Gardens ahead of the U.S. House Florida District 24 race, state Sen. Shevrin Jones whacked his Democratic primary opponent Oliver Gilbert III for taking campaign cash from a firm that helped operate “Alligator Alcatraz.” Jones released a campaign video touting his opposition to the Everglades detention center, but noting that “someone else in this race” had accepted a $70,000 check from CDR, a Miami-based emergency management company that helped run the facility. Gilbert, a Miami-Dade County Commissioner and former Miami Gardens Mayor, is that “someone.” Gilbert — and CDR — fired back, saying Jones had ALSO taken money from the firm, when he first ran for state Senate in 2020, and that he’d also taken money from another ICE contractor. Jones says at least some of that money has been returned. Jones and Gilbert are Democrats running to succeed retiring Congresswoman Frederica Wilson; and it’s expected that Democrats will try to make hay out of “Alligator Alcatraz” this electoral season. But it’s good to see two would-be Congressmen express dismay over how unsavory actors attempt to buy influence. Maybe next they’ll be shocked, shocked by how much polluters like the sugar industry spends. And maybe someday — they’ll try to do something about it. They all love clean water. In theory They'll show up at a ribbon-cutting for a water project and then vote for legislation that undermines it. We need politicians who put clean water first — and your support can help us hold them accountable. DONATE NOW BECOME AN ANNUAL MEMBER Become a WaveMaker!   VoteWater | 3727 SE Ocean Blvd. Suite 200A | Stuart, FL 34996 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice