On November 11, the Florida House leader, Will Weatherford, took an aerial tour of Lake Okeechobee and the area surrounding it, including much of the Everglades. The purpose of the Speaker’s visit was to survey the damage caused to the ecosystem by water pollution released daily during the summer. After the Leader’s Orlando eco tour, Weatherford discussed a $220 million Senate plan to reduce future pollutants escaping from the lake and traveling throughout Florida’s water systems, including the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.
While Weatherford does understand that such a project will take a great deal of resources, in both finances and labor, he is not sure how much of the plan will land within the state budget for the next year. Before the plan can be enacted, it needs to receive the backing of Governor Rick Scott and full support from Florida legislature.
Following the leader’s Orlando eco tour, Weatherford attended a “round-table” style meeting with residents and local officials who are pushing for the state’s assistance in the matter of cleaning the water, especially since so much of the water flow leads to the Everglades. They highlighted the mass deaths of many natural species, including oysters and sea grass, as well as a toxic algae outbreak that prevented locals from avoiding any association with the water source. They noted both the financial and ecological crisis stemming from this issue, hoping their insight would influence the legislator’s decision. Waterford has noted that the funding will depend on an economic schedule that will be reviewed in March of next year.
Interact with Florida’s wildlife on an Orlando eco tour, and learn more about the importance of preserving the Everglades. Contact Wild Florida at (866) 532-7167 today to book your visit.
