We’ve been supporters of Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, who’s styled herself as a “Water Warrior” and sometimes even shows up at events with the phrase emblazoned on a cape.

We need more politicians willing to wear their dedication to clean water on their sleeve. Or cape.

That’s why we were taken aback — to put it mildly — when we learned the Mayor had backed a budget measure that threatens to turn the county’s environmental watchdog agency into a lapdog instead.

In Miami-Dade County there’s a lot of pressure to fix what many see as a broken and cumbersome permitting system. The county’s Division of Environmental Resource Management, or DERM, had permitting authority over wetlands, mangroves, pine rocklands and other sensitive environmental areas. As such, DERM gave developers and friendly politicians “heartburn.” Over the years its staffing was cut and the once-independent agency was placed under the umbrella of the Regulatory and Economic Resources (RER) Department — the building department. But the watchdog retained its teeth.

And in fact, it looked like Mayor Levine-Cava was initially going to strengthen the DERM by once again making it a standalone agency. But then, late in the budget game, some new language was introduced effectively stripping DERM of it’s permitting power; that authority would remain with the RER. DERM would once again be independent — but weaker.

Conservation groups object

Conservation groups fired off a letter to the Mayor expressing their dismay, noting that the proposal “would severely weaken Miami-Dade County’s ability to safeguard its residents, protect natural resources, and achieve its long-term environmental and resilience goals.”

They also expressed their disappointment with Levine-Cava: “This proposal is inconsistent with the leadership we have long relied upon from you as our environmental champion.” And they worried about what happens when the “Water Warrior” leaves office:  “Removing the statutory authority from DERM makes it easier for a future administration or the Commission to gut it entirely,” they stated in their letter.

Levine-Cava defended the move, insisting environmental safeguards would not be compromised. Plus, it would help with the permitting issue: “A more focused, visible DERM will support these efforts while we align and streamline permitting Countywide,” she said.

Proponents say DERM still writes the rules and handles appeals for final review. But without actual permitting authority, “DERM becomes little more than a glorified consultant, writing reports that the builders can file away while they pour more concrete,” as the Political Cordatillo blog put it.

Conservation groups spoke against the plan at the final budget hearing, but to no avail: the measure passed. Conservation groups vow to keep up the fight, and we hope they do.

But we’re disappointed, to say the least. We’ve endorsed the mayor in the past; she’s done a lot of good things in office. This isn’t one of them.

Wrote the Political Cortadillo: “Levine Cava insists the change is just an “administrative shuffle. Environmental groups say it’s the beginning of the end for meaningful oversight. Guess which side developers are betting on.”

Yikes.

We’re disappointed in the Mayor. In the era of DOGE, there’s going to be ever-more pressure from interests that seek to undermine environmental rules and get around the regulations. To safeguard clean water and our broader environment, elected officials must push back on this — and those who consider themselves “Water Warriors” ought to be pushing harder than anyone else.