Dear Mr. Hutchcraft:
We understand that the South Florida Water Management District will consider the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) tomorrow, and that SFWMD approval of CEPP is an essential prerequisite to the ultimate adoption and federal funding of CERP, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
As you must obviously be aware, the St. Lucie River, the Indian River Lagoon and virtually all neighboring and contributory streams and rivers are in many areas presently coated by layers of toxic algae. The danger is such that the Martin County Department of Health has even posted various areas and adjacent beaches as unsafe for normal bathing, boating and fishing, causing both angry levels of public alarm and demands for remedial action. Additionally there are increasingly significant adverse financial consequences for our County, as long as this situation persists, not only in terms of local economic activity but also affecting all aspects of tourism.
The Guardians of Martin County, a non-profit 501.c.3 entity dedicated to the mission of educating Martin County residents about environmental issues which impact our quality of life, are deeply concerned about the present, deplorable situation. Equally, we are adamant that solutions be adopted to remediate this situation as responsibly and quickly as possible, for everyone’s sake.
On behalf of the Guardians, and our more than 500 County-wide donors who have contributed to the support of our mission, I am writing to urge you to vote in favor of CEPP and to use all your best efforts to enlist your SFWMD colleagues to do the same. We must all work together to solve our environmental problems now, lest they become catastrophes for subsequent generations.
Yours respectfully,
Peter H. Conze, Jr.
President, The Guardians of Martin County