You don’t have to be an environmentalist to support clean water
To the editor:
The term “environmentalist” evokes emotionally charged reactions.
Let me say I’ve always felt I was not one of “them.”
And yet…
Environmental laws exist for good reasons (mostly). Some will argue there are too many laws (I tend to agree). Regardless, what is missing here in Florida is enforcement and action with regard to existing laws protecting water quality. Enforcement is the missing link.
The word enforcement contains “force” in it for a reason. A Florida constitutional amendment would give Floridians the Right to Clean Water and help “force” the state to address water quality issues. Honestly, I can’t believe this is something that the state must be forced to do but here we are.
This constitutional right does NOT add more cumbersome laws. It does NOT add more unnecessary litigation. So what does it do? A Right to Clean Water constitutional amendment provides citizens the right to force the state (using injunctions) to take action where no action is being taken now. The Legislature (no matter who is in power) cannot take this right away from its citizens if we embed this into our constitution. Several states have already done this, I’m not sure why Florida has not. We’re all about the water here.
This petition and constitutional amendment are about enforcing existing laws meant to protect our water. What is the argument against that?
Go to: FRTCW-petition and download, sign and date a pre-filled petition with your info on it. Take 3 minutes right now and do this, please! Next year, with enough signatures on this petition, voters here in Florida can cast their vote to protect our waterways. I have faith in my fellow Floridians to make this happen. We must!
June Hunter-Clarke
Cape Coral