The state is falling behind in addressing water quality needs in Southwest Florida. That was the message to state officials from residents and environmental advocates at a meeting Thursday in Fort Myers.
Officials from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) asked residents and organizations to keep them posted on impaired waters in their area.
In short, the agency said it’s operating with limited resources and can’t assess the status of all water bodies in the state.
So, the state is asking local stakeholders to notify them if something is wrong.
Fort Myers Beach resident and activist John Heim said he and others are doing what they can to deal with poor water quality in the Caloosahatchee River watershed and Pine Island Sound—but the state isn’t doing enough.
“We are beginning to lose faith and we are rapidly taking the lead as citizens,” Heim said.
Jennifer Hecker with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida told DEP officials she was alarmed with the data the agency is collecting.
She said a lot of the information is insufficient, which means few water bodies are being properly monitored by the state.
“I think the DEP has an obligation to monitor every water to make sure that it is safe for its designated use by the public,” Hecker said. “That is your agency’s role.”
DEP officials told residents they are doing what they can and are working with a framework to make sure a good plan is in place to deal with waterways that are polluted.
