Good Water Policy
Jonathan Pitt
I'm a resident of Gainesville Florida and I love to cave dive in our beautiful springs and rivers. I want to know what you could do to help protect these natural wonders from dangers such as nitrates and inevitable development? Another issue I would like to know about is whether you would have any capacity to influence Shands hospital and facilitate Shands in re-opening their hyperbaric chamber to decompression diving injuries?
Andrew Morey
Hi Jonathan, While I'm not a diver (just a snorkeler), I have lots of friends who are, so I appreciate this question. Diving is an important part of Florida's economy as a whole, especially here with our unique system of springs.
With respect to development, in my op-ed piece in the Gainesville Sun (see link above), I bemoan the 2011 legislation that cut funding to Florida's five water management districts and weakened the state's oversight of development. As a first step toward addressing our water and development problems, the legislature needs to restore funding to the water management districts and re-implement Florida's Growth Management framework. By way of background, as a result of 2011 legislation, water management district 2011-2012 fiscal year budgets were reduced by $703 million and staffs were reduced by 596.
Furthermore, I would oppose efforts to centralize the control of water in Tallahassee, rather than in the more local water management districts, which were created based on watershed regions. I would also promote policies to get the "science right" (regarding minimum flows and levels) as a prerequisite to issuing permits for water consumption.
Regarding nutrients such as nitrites, the state has been trying to implement their own standards, which are below those that the EPA recommends. I would propose and support that we measure nutrients using numeric standards, but ones that would be as stringent, if not more so, than EPA standards. The FDEP cannot skirt its responsibility for cleaning up Florida’s waterways and stopping pollution by trying to undercut nationally recognized safe standards.
Finally, while the hyperbaric chamber at Shands is still functional, it is only open during business hours. My friends at Shands tell me that this is only due to budget cuts to Shands from the state. The chamber used to be open 24/7/365 for all types of emergencies, like a fire department or other critical public safety service. However, unlike the fire department, which receives tax funding, the hyperbaric chamber no longer does and Shands had to close it the rest of the time. Your current representative, Keith Perry, voted for the cuts to Shands that caused this closing. The hyperbaric chamber is an important emergency device, especially for our area. I think tourists and residents would feel safer knowing that our nearby hospitals could treat decompression sickness or other problems. Thus, the chamber also becomes an economic issue. If elected, I already plan to advocate for increased funding to UF and Shands, and I would further identify the full-time opening of the hyperbaric chamber as an important safety and economic need.
Jonathan Pitt
Thanks Andrew for taking the time to respond and answer with a great deal of thought and clarity. The health and clarity of our fresh water needs a thoughtful and strong advocate such as you. Also thanks for taking the time out of your life to make a difference. You got my vote.
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