The Right to Clean Water: amending the state constitution

Guest Commentary

Posted 6/25/21

Last November, 89% of Orange County voters approved their Right to Clean Water Charter Amendment. That law granted all county citizens a right to clean water and all county waterways...

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The Right to Clean Water: amending the state constitution

Guest Commentary

Posted

Last November, 89% of Orange County voters approved their Right to Clean Water Charter Amendment. That law granted all county citizens a right to clean water and all county waterways the right to exist, flow, and be free of pollution.

Given our continuous water pollution problems, SW Floridians would appreciate the same rights Orange County residents have. Now, a petition drive to amend our state constitution to legally recognize these rights statewide, provides SWFL citizens the opportunity to help make that happen.

On Saturday, July 3, the SWFL RESET Center is hosting an in-person event, The Right to Clean Water. Attendees will learn about the Orange County law, the subsequent rights of nature enforcement case (the first in the nation’s history), and current efforts to amend the Florida State Constitution.

“The importance and overwhelming support for the ‘Right to Clean Water’ Charter Amendment passed by Orange County voters on Nov. 3, should not be underestimated,” Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani wrote shortly after the election. “The ballot question…is a clear indictment of Florida policy makers that don’t have the political will to prevent further decline of state waters. Political maneuverings, influenced by special interests that benefit from rapid growth, continue to plague Florida with ineffectual policies on water. It should be clear at this point that a significant new course of action is necessary.”

The 89% approval in Orange County indicates the paramount importance virtually all Floridians place upon clean water. It indicates citizens have lost faith in a regulatory system that has failed to protect us and our waterways. It indicates citizens are tired of continuously fighting for something they evidently see as a fundamental right: access to clean water, and that they welcome this new course of action.

Our speakers will be Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani, RESET Center Vice-President Gary Robbins, and Karl Deigert and Joseph Bonasia, Regional Directors for the Florida Rights of Nature Network. A presentation about the work of Naples artist Paul Arsenault, who has been painting SWFL waterways for fifty years, will open the program. Attendees will leave with concrete actions they can take to support the petition drive.

Public registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-right-to-clean-water-tickets-158507214345.

clean water, county waterways, pollution, petition drive, amend, constitution

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