October 5, 2024 Weekly Newsletter
US Senate Candidateson the Indian River Lagoon
As residents of Indian River County, we know that water quality, especially the health of the Indian River Lagoon, is critical not only to our environment but also to our local economy and way of life. While the candidates for the U.S. Senate represent the entire state, it is important that we hold them accountable on issues that matter to us locally, particularly the restoration of the lagoon, a valuable natural resource. Recently, both Senator Rick Scott and his opponent, Former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, were asked by the IRNA how they would address the environmental challenges facing this estuary of national significance.
Incumbent Senator Rick Scott emphasized his past work as Governor of Florida. He spoke about broad environmental issues which are indeed critical for our State’s future but did not specifically address improving water quality of the Indian River Lagoon. Quoted below is his response:
"Preserving our environment is important to the future of our nation, and we must continue to make strategic investments in environmental protection. That is why, as Governor of Florida, I invested hundreds of millions of dollars to address sea level rise, including over $300 million for flood mitigation, coastal resiliency, beach re-nourishment and coral reef protection. As your Senator, I will continue to build on these efforts at the federal level to ensure that future generations can enjoy all that Florida has to offer."
Challenger, Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, provided a more localized approach, addressing the lagoon directly. She stated:
"Floridians know that investing in climate resilience and caring for our environment is critical – not only to our communities but also to our state’s economic prosperity. Floridians’ very livelihoods depend on our leaders’ willingness to combat the climate crisis, not ignore it — and Rick Scott has ignored the environment for years. As Governor, he banned the term ‘climate change’ and repealed environmental protections that led to the loss of billions of dollars to our economy and one of the worst red tides our state has ever seen. In the Senate, he voted against the funds to invest in climate resiliency. In contrast, I secured $200 million to help restore the Florida Everglades and introduced bipartisan legislation to protect coral reefs during my time in Congress. As Senator, I will advocate to improve water quality, restore habitats, and increase the biodiversity of the Indian River Lagoon. Specifically, I will support programs to reduce human pollution, expand and expedite restoration permits, and increase federal funding to improve the water quality of the Indian River Lagoon.”
The IRNA appreciates the commitment of both Senator Scott and Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell to Florida's environmental future and thank them for their time in answering our questions.
As we reflect on the priorities laid out by each candidate, particularly in relation to protecting our ecosystems, it becomes clear how critical a strong, focused plan will be for the future of the Indian River Lagoon.
Restoration of this vital resource for future generations remains a priority for all of us.
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Five candidates are running for Vero Beach City Council in the upcoming election. Each candidate has shared their views on critical issues concerning the city's future, following a series of questions sent by the Indian River Neighborhood Association (IRNA) and Clean Water Coalition (CWC). These questions touched on topics such as development, housing, water quality, and city governance.
Here are the candidates, listed in alphabetical order:
Each candidate responded to the questions covering areas like the Three Corners development, affordable housing, water quality in the lagoon, and how Vero Beach can prepare for future climate challenges. The IRNA and CWC provided the platform for this important conversation, highlighting the importance of these issues for voters as they head to the polls. The full responses offer insight into how these candidates plan to address key concerns in Vero Beach.We extend our sincere thanks to all the candidates for their time and thoughtful responses, and we wish them the best of luck in their campaigns.
Note: Typically, we survey the Sebastian City Council candidates, but this year, the candidates running are those who participated in the 2022 election. You can view their responses from two years ago here. Kelly Dixon, Ed Dodd, and Damien Gilliams, Jr. are running for Sebastian City Council this year.
Indian River County hotel tax increase for tourism, beach restoration (TCPalm) - Indian River County voters will decide whether to raise the hotel tax from 4% to 5% to fund beach restoration and tourism development, generating an additional $1 million annually without affecting local residents unless they stay in short-term accommodations.
Election 2024: Sebastian referendum would extend City Council terms (TCPalm) - Sebastian residents will vote on whether to extend City Council terms from two to four years in the November 2024 election, which could save money and reduce turnover but may raise concerns due to past council controversies.
‘Lines in Lagoon’: For eco-conscious youths, it’s the reel deal (Vero News) - The 11th annual Lines in the Lagoon Junior Fishing Tournament not only engaged young anglers in catch-and-release fishing but also raised awareness and funds for the conservation of the Indian River Lagoon, supporting education and environmental initiatives to restore the lagoon's ecosystem.
Special Board of County Commission Workshop on Urban Service Boundary Study Results (Vero News) - The Indian River County Board of Commissioners will hold a special workshop on October 30, 2024, to review the results of the Urban Service Boundary Study, which evaluates land use, population growth, and the costs of providing public services as the county anticipates a 25% population increase by 2050.
Editorial Board interviews Vero Beach staff about the 2024 referendums (TCPalm) - Video of TCPalm Editorial Board interviewing Vero Beach City Manager Monte Falls and Planning Director Jason Jeffries Sept. 24, 2024, about downtown referendums.
Haul of an effort as Coastal Cleanup volunteers ‘seas’ the day (Vero News) - Hundreds of volunteers in Indian River County participated in the annual International Coastal Cleanup, removing trash from 24 waterfront parks to protect local waterways and wildlife, with the event culminating in a celebration and awards at Walking Tree Brewery.
Opinion: Flying Breeze Airways from Vero Beach great, not worth risk (TCPalm) - Despite enjoying previous Breeze Airways flights from Vero Beach to White Plains, concerns over potential delays on late-afternoon flights have led the author to choose a more reliable morning flight with Allegiant from Melbourne to Allentown for an upcoming trip.
Indian River County Sheriff budget increased, tax rate steady for this year (TCPalm) - Indian River County's 2024-2025 budget increased by 10.14% to $145.8 million, adding 37 employees and boosting the sheriff's budget by $4.69 million, while property owners may face higher taxes if their property values have risen despite the unchanged tax rate.
Florida’s Aquifer: Protecting Our Springs and Water Supply
Florida’s springs are not only scenic natural attractions but also critical indicators of the health of the aquifer that supplies most of the state’s drinking water. As population growth and agricultural demands increase, the aquifer is being tapped at unsustainable levels. Groundwater withdrawals for irrigation, suburban lawns, and bottling plants are all contributing to a reduction in the flow of water that sustains these springs.
The Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act was designed to address this issue by requiring new rules to manage groundwater use and prevent harm to the springs. However, the enforcement of these rules has been delayed, and inadequate regulations have left the aquifer vulnerable to over-extraction. When spring flow declines, pollutants build up more easily, leading to increased algae growth and the loss of wildlife.
Preserving the health of Florida’s aquifer is essential not only for the environment but also for the millions of Floridians who rely on it for clean, safe drinking water. Stronger, enforceable regulations are needed to ensure that the aquifer is protected and that the springs continue to thrive for generations to come. We hope there will be quicker action on the part of the state and the DEP.
More info from the Florida Springs Council here.
Price-Gouging Complaints Surge in States Hit by Hurricane Helene (Business Insider) - Price-gouging complaints surged in southeastern states hit by Hurricane Helene, particularly in South Carolina and North Carolina, with concerns primarily focused on hotels, fuel, and essential goods like bottled water and generators.
Rescue mission delivering safe water system to remote areas hit by Hurricane Helene (Fox News) - Water Mission, a nonprofit based in South Carolina, is providing mobile water treatment systems to remote areas of North Carolina devastated by Hurricane Helene, ensuring residents without power or clean water have access to safe drinking water using solar-powered filtration systems.
Hurricane Helene Dropped 20 Trillion Gallons Of Water: “Biblical Devastation” (Southern Living) - Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic flooding in western North Carolina by dumping 20 trillion gallons of water on an already saturated region, as multiple storms combined with Asheville's mountainous terrain to funnel unprecedented rainfall into valleys, creating "biblical devastation."
‘Ghost candidate’ group funds campaign to oust Orange County commissioner (Jason Garcia Substack) - A political committee supporting Orange County commission candidate Austin Arthur received a $50,000 donation from a dark-money nonprofit involved in Florida's 2020 "ghost candidate" scandal, highlighting the significant influence of big donors in local elections where key issues like taxes and development are at stake.
Helene flooded North Carolina with water. Now there isn’t enough to drink. (Washington Post) - Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic flooding in North Carolina damaged water infrastructure, leaving around 100,000 people without access to clean water, forcing residents to rely on streams, pools, and water distribution sites while facing long delays for system repairs.
Climate resiliency would save Florida billions | Opinion (Sun Sentinel) - Investing in climate resilience in Florida, including nature-based solutions like mangroves and reefs, could save billions in disaster recovery costs and protect the state from severe storm damage and sea-level rise, while promoting long-term economic and environmental sustainability.
The IRNA and the Clean Water Coalition are co-hosting a City Council Candidate Meet and Greet on October 17, 2024, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM at Walking Tree Brewery. You are invited!
This is a great opportunity for residents to meet and talk with the candidates running for City Council. Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to come out and engage with the candidates to discuss key issues affecting the community.
Don't miss this chance to make your voice heard and get to know the individuals vying to represent your interests!
Soil and water pollution: An invisible threat to cardiovascular health (ScienceDaily) - Soil and water pollution, caused by chemicals such as pesticides, heavy metals, and microplastics, significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease by inducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and vascular dysfunction, contributing to an estimated 9 million premature deaths annually, half of which are cardiovascular-related.
It all adds up: Study finds forever chemicals are more toxic as mixtures (ScienceDaily) - A study found that while individual PFAS chemicals have relatively low toxicity, when mixed together they act additively, significantly increasing cytotoxicity and neurotoxicity, highlighting the need for regulating PFAS as mixtures rather than individually due to their compounded harmful effects.
First Ever Strawberry Vertical Farm To Use 90% Less Water And No Pesticides (Newsweek) - A new vertical farm in Richmond, Virginia, will grow strawberries indoors using 90% less water, 97% less land, and no pesticides, producing over 4 million pounds annually with year-round production in controlled environments that ensure high-quality crops without being affected by seasonal changes.
Water Systems Play a Key Role in Balancing Supply and Demand (AZO Cleantech) - A Stanford-led study highlights how water systems, such as wastewater treatment and desalination plants, can improve renewable energy grid stability by adjusting their energy usage in real-time, offering a cost-effective alternative to batteries and contributing to both decarbonization and water reliability goals.
AI Is Everywhere Now—and It’s Sucking Up a Lot of Water (Inside Climate News) - AI systems, while increasingly integrated into daily life, consume significant amounts of water for cooling data centers, posing environmental concerns, especially in local communities where these facilities use municipal water supplies, with potential solutions including optimizing smaller models to reduce energy and resource consumption.
Want your voice to be heard? Use this link to easily contact elected officials—from your city council to the President. Your voice can make a real impact. While the IRNA may occasionally prompt you to contact specific officials about urgent issues, we keep this list handy for your convenience. Can't find who you're looking for? Just let us know; we're here to help connect you with the right people.
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