Protect Florida's Water Resources!

Audubon and our partners in conservation are working hard to see that Congress passes the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act. Many of Florida's wetlands and surface waters have been identified as impaired or threatened.

  • Many of Florida's counties rank in the worst 20% of all U.S. counties in terms of number of impaired waterways.
  • It is estimated that close to 35% (over 806,000 acres) of the total wetlands in Florida's panhandle are at risk.

We need to be moving forward on cleaning up our waterways, not going backward!  When protections for our waters are removed, the only things that are guaranteed are more pollution, less wildlife, and greater human health and safety risks. That's too great a risk for us and for future generations. 

And you can help! Please contact your two U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative and urge them to pass the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act now!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject:

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a constituent concerned with conservation, I stand with the National Audubon Society in urging you to support the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act of 2003, bill numbers S.473 in the Senate, and H.R.962 in the House. This important legislation will prevent further weakening of the Clean Water Act, provide much needed protections for all of America's waterways, and reinstate protections for isolated wetlands that help control floods and filter pollutants from our waters, making it safer for birds, wildlife, and people.

Three decades ago, through the Clean Water Act, our government promised clean and safe rivers, lakes, and coastal waters for our communities. Despite some important successes, over 40% of our nation's waters remain polluted.

In January, 2001, the Supreme Court created a legal loophole that removed protections for certain "isolated, non-navigable waters," leaving over 20% of our nation's wetlands vulnerable both to physical destruction and to discharges of pollutants.

Florida's wetlands are at severe risk due to these changes. It is estimated that close to 35% (over 806,000 acres) of the total wetlands in Florida's panhandle are isolated and at risk if the Clean Water Act rules are revised to exempt all non-adjacent isolated wetlands from Clean Water Act regulation.

Please support the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
October 20, 2003


Background Information

In 2002, America celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act - a law that is widely considered one of the most successful environmental laws in our nation's history. Yet in spite of the progress that has been made over the last 30 years, over 40% of our nation's waters remain polluted. Florida, a state with more wetlands than most states in the nation, is in serious risk.

In January, 2001, the Supreme Court created a legal loophole that removes protections for certain "isolated, non-navigable waters," leaving over 20% of the nation's wetlands vulnerable both to physical destruction and discharges of pollutants. There is a proposal pending in the U.S. Congress right now that would reverse this ruling and keep the promise made over 30 years ago with the enactment of the Clean Water Act. It's the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act, bill number S.473 in the Senate, and H.R.962 in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The Act reaffirms the original intent of the Clean Water Act, which is to restore, maintain and provide clean and safe water, and reinstates protections for isolated wetlands that help with flood control and filter pollutants from our water, making it safer for birds, wildlife and people.

FLORIDA AT RISK

Similar to the rest of the nation, Florida's waters and wetlands are all interconnected.   Each river, stream, lake and wetland is linked to the rest.  Clean and healthy water is vital for Florida's economy and fisheries.  It is critical for human health. It is critical for birds and wildlife. Functioning, intact natural wetlands protect people's property, livelihood, and lives from potentially damaging floods.

Florida has critical wetland hot spots that are severely threatened. In 1998, St. Lucie County ranked among the worst 10% of all U.S. counties in terms of number of impaired waterways. Pasco County contains 51 impaired water bodies, including rivers, creeks, streams, lakes, reservoirs, ponds, estuaries, bays and coasts. 26% of surface waters in Orange County have beneficial uses which are impaired or threatened. The list goes on.......

Ecologically speaking, wetlands are nature's filters, and act as the guardians of clean water. They help keep our rivers, lakes and streams clean, healthy and pollution-free.  The more wetlands we destroy, the more contaminants we will have in our drinking water.   Wetlands save communities millions of dollars that would otherwise be spent on expensive water treatment facilities.


Economically speaking, wetlands are nurseries for millions of birds, fish and shellfish.  Seventy-five percent of all commercial marine fish and shellfish, which contribute billions of dollars in harvests each year, depend on wetlands.  In 2001, people engaged in wildlife watching, fishing and hunting activities that contributed more than $108 billion in revenue to local communities across the country.  It is estimated that non-consumptive bird activities (i.e. bird watching) generates $477 million in retail sales in Florida alone every year!