It’s official, committee weeks are here and the state legislative session is right around the corner! With every legislative session, there is an opportunity to provide tangible benefit for our bay and improve our waters. Here’s what we have on our agenda for the 2022 legislative session:
Ecosystem Restoration
FBFSOW supports full Everglades restoration funding and expediting of the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir project. This key restoration project has the potential to provide the single greatest benefit for Florida Bay and the communities of the Florida Keys. The legislature should remain intently focused on funding and expediting this crucial southern storage project.
Water Quality & Land Protections
FBFSOW supports full funding and implementation of water quality recommendations from the Blue-Green Algae and Red Tide Task Forces, including an update to statewide stormwater standards to reduce runoff of nonpoint source pollutants to strengthen water quality protections. FBFSOW also supports full funding of Florida Forever, including robust funding allocated for the Florida Keys Stewardship Act.
Resilience
Monroe County is on the frontlines of sea level rise impacts and FBFSOW urges the state to maintain robust funding for local and regional resiliency projects and to implement recommendations from Southeast Regional Climate Compact. These efforts protect Florida Keys communities and the state’s investment in restoring Florida’s Everglades.
Home Rule
FBFSOW supports home rule and the right to self-determination of Florida municipalities, and opposes pre-emption policies that undermine the ability of local governments to regulate land, water, and natural resources protections, including the nearshore waters of Florida Bay.
Regardless of the trajectory of the upcoming legislative session, Florida Bay Forever will be there every step of the way to keep you informed and ready to advocate for our waters. Join us for our 2022 legislative preview on Thursday, December 2nd via Zoom. Take a look at our one-pager on legislative priorities here and visit our page on advocacy.