WATER POLICIES

Introduction

Humans need water for drinking, cleaning, and gardening as well as recreation.  Farms and industries need water for the production and processing of goods for the marketplace.  Birds and other wildlife depend on adequate water supplies to nest, raise young, feed, and rest along their migratory paths.  Droughts, excessive urban development, and water pollution threaten the quality and amount of water available to all entities.  Each of us has a role to play individually and collectively. For ways you can help conserve water and create NatureScapes to help birds and other wildlife, begin reading under the heading Broward County.  For an overview of National Audubon’s position on water policy and Florida Audubon’s 2008 Legislative Agenda continue reading.  For brief summaries of Federal laws addressing the water supply as well as links to the regulatory agencies responsible for each law click here.  

NATIONAL AUDUBON (excerpts from http://www.audubon.org)

Our nation's wetlands and streams are at risk
Birds, other wildlife, and people all share a need for clean water. In 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act, the nation’s primary law governing water quality. The Act is credited with cleaning up one-third of our nation’s rivers and lakes. However, court decisions have cut back the types of waters protected under the Act, and threaten to limit protections for critical habitats across America. Guidance issued in 2007 by the Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers could lead to a 50 percent loss of waters historically protected under the Clean Water Act, including the fragile wetlands.

Audubon advocates for broad federal protections
Audubon is active at the agency level, before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Corps of Engineers, and in the courts to protect and update the Clean Water Act. Audubon is working to pass federal legislation to protect all waters that were historically protected under the Clean Water Act. Audubon staff and volunteers participate at both local and national levels, including litigation in the Supreme Court and in cases to protect the Everglades and Florida’s wetlands from unlimited development. Audubon has also joined forces with other environmental groups as part of the Clean Water Network to ensure protection of our nation’s waters.

Congressional Action is Critical to Protect our Waters
Now, in light of unfavorable court decisions and agency guidance that fails to protect wetlands, congressional action is needed to pass the Clean Water Restoration Act. This legislation is vital to restore the broad coverage of the Clean Water Act as it was intended by clarifying that the Act applies to all of the nation's waters, including the fragile wetlands. Audubon needs your help to save our wetlands and valuable waters. Help to pass this crucial legislation by writing to your U.S. Senators and Representative today.

 
AUDUBON OF FLORIDA (excerpts from http://www.audubonofflorida.org)

The Audubon Assembly approved statewide priorities for 2008.  The following Legislative Agenda related to Water Policy is based on those priorities.

2008 Legislative Action Agenda

·         *Northern Everglades Plan – Support legislative ratification of the Northern Everglades Plan with emphasis on water storage and pollution prevention

·         Wastewater Ocean Outfalls and Reuse – Support passage of legislation to close five wastewater ocean outfalls in South Florida and require reuse of up to 500 million gallons per day of wastewater

·         Springs Protection – Support legislation creating pilot springs regulations

·         Florida Bay Algae Bloom – Amend the 1994 Florida Bay Restoration Act to require the South Florida Water Management District to begin a program to better manage freshwater flows into Florida Bay

·         Water Conservation – Amend state water permitting laws to make water conservation a mandatory condition of receiving a consumptive use permit and requiring water management districts to prescribe water conservation practices

·         Water Policy – Defend environmental water policy from proposals to make it easier to ignore water resource and wildlife impacts in water supply planning and permitting

·         Lake Okeechobee Back-pumping – Stop potential legislative actions that could reverse legal decisions and/or the South Florida Water Management District vote on water supply back-pumping from the Everglades Agricultural Area.

BROWARD COUNTY

Broward County has an Integrated Water Resource Plan for assuring that its population has adequate clean water for community life.  That plan includes water resource assessments, conservation and education activities, innovative water resource management, and governance and coordination.  For details go to http://broward.org/iwrp/managing.htm. 

NatureScapes is a program in Broward County designed to encourage residents to create landscapes that help conserve water, reduce water pollution, and create inviting habitats for birds and wildlife.  For the “how-to” information on how to create a NatureScape begin at http://www.broward.org/naturescape/islandsofgreen.htm. 

For water conserving tips start with http://www.broward.org/iwrp/10ways.htm.

Broward County’s Environmental Protection Department is the primary department concerned with water issues.  Its divisions include (1) Air Quality, (2) Biological Resources Division, (3) Environmental Monitoring Division, (4) Pollution Prevention and Remediation Division, and (5) Water Resources Division.  For an organizational chart go to http://www.broward.org/environment/admin_epd_chart.pdf.  There you will find the sections responsible for water issues ranging from the wetlands to pollution and resources policy and planning. 


*For details about the organizations participating in Everglades Restoration efforts, go to http://www.evergladescoalition.org.