Water is our way of life in Florida. As we recognize World Ocean Month and National Sea Turtle Day, I’m reminded just how vital our coastlines are, not only for our economy and culture, but for the ecosystems that call these waters home. Protecting our water has always been and will always be one of my top priorities in Congress.
Each year, sea turtles return to our shores in search of a safe place to lay their eggs. In fact, Florida hosts more than 67,000 loggerhead nests annually, along with nests from leatherbacks and green turtles among other species as well. This makes Florida’s coast one of the most important sea turtle habitats in the world.
But our coastlines are under constant threat. For far too long, the federal government has treated Florida like a septic tank, allowing harmful discharges to flow toward our shores and wreak havoc on fragile marine environments. Instead of sending water south to the Everglades, where it naturally belongs, polluted releases from Lake Okeechobee have plagued our estuaries for decades and this must end.
As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I fight 24/7, 365 days a year for clean water and zero discharges. Water quality issues stemming from Lake Okeechobee are simply unacceptable. I introduced three bills earlier this month to fight back against the toxins polluting our waterways.
The fight for clean water is far from over, but we’re in this together. For as long as I’m serving in Congress, I’ll stay committed to the mission of defending our coasts and our way of life.
