BMAPs aren’t working. Here’s how to ask Florida elected officials to change the system

TCPalm’s exclusive investigation of Florida’s flagship program to limit nutrient pollution flowing into Lake Okeechobee is the first to show that every single rainfall runoff drainage basin around the lake with available data exceeds the state limit.

Improving the state’s system depends on public attention and accountability. Readers who think the system isn’t working can contact their legislators to demand change.

Read the full investigation and see the map and all the charts.

Clean-water advocates have cited these possible solutions:

1. More funding to hire additional staff to inspect farms every two years as required

2. More water quality monitors gathering data to pinpoint pollution sources

3. Effective enforcement against farmers who don’t follow state rules

4. Limits on fertilizer use that could prevent harmful runoff into waterways.

Gov. Ron DeSantis

1. Represents: All Florida citizens

2. Address: The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

3. Phone: 850-717-9337

4. Citizen services: 850-488-7146

5. Email: governorron.desantis@eog.myflorida.com (flgov.com/email-the-governor)

6. Website: flgov.com

7. Twitter: @GovRonDeSantis

8. Facebook: @GovRonDeSantis

Sen. Debbie Mayfield

1. Represents: District 17 (all of Indian River; part of Brevard)

2. Capital address: 322 Senate Office Building, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

3. Capital phone: 850-487-5017

4. Email: mayfield.debbie.web@flsenate.gov

5. Website: flsenate.gov/senators/s17

6. Twitter: @debbie_mayfield

7. Facebook: @senatordebbiemayfield

House Rep. Erin Grall

1. Represents: District 54 (all of Indian River; part of St. Lucie)

2. Capital address: 209 House Office Building, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

3. District address: 1801 27th St., Suite B2-203, Vero Beach, FL 32960-3388

4. Capital phone: 850-717-5054

5. District phone: 772-778-5005

6. Email: erin.grall@myfloridahouse.gov

7. Website: myfloridahouse.gov

8. Twitter: @ErinGrall

9. Facebook: @ErinGrall4FLStateHouse

Check out this letter that the IRNA and CWC sent to Sen. Mayfield and Rep. Grall asking for more funding for FDEP and a revamp of the BMAP program.

We need your voice to be heard in Tallahassee! Please reach out and ask our elected officials to do everything in their power to protect our environment.