Water qualilty

Deep Dive: Florida Bay always one threat away from devastation

September 3, 2026

Florida Bay is thirsty. Yes, a 1,100-square-mile body of water spreading between the southern tip of the Everglades and the Florida Keys can be thirsty – for fresh water. In fact, the bay is “on the brink of devastation” from…

VoteWater endorses 4 in Martin County/City of Stuart races

July 31, 2026

VoteWater has endorsed four candidates running for office in Martin County. Endorsees include Christopher Collins, Martin County Board of County Commissioners, District 2; Sarah Heard, Martin County Board of County Commissioners, District 4; Campbell Rich, City of Stuart Commission, Group…

Good news for homeowners could be bad news for our water

June 11, 2026

The Florida Legislature last week passed a revised version of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ property tax cut plan, sending a proposed constitutional amendment to the November ballot. If 60% of voters approve, it’ll be a windfall for homeowners — and a…

Lagoon funding lags – and manatees pay the price

April 9, 2026

For the Florida Legislature to fully fund the Indian River Lagoon Protection Program in the upcoming budget session is more than a matter of state leaders fulfilling a promise; it’s a matter of life and death… for thousands of manatees.…

Alligator Alcatraz: Setting a dangerous precedent?

February 12, 2026

The Everglades immigrant detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” is damaging enough in its own right, inflicting untold harms on the site and the greater Everglades ecosystem. But more damaging over the long haul may be the legal precedent being…

DEEP DIVE: 25 years on, CERP is restoring the Everglades. But will it be enough?

February 5, 2026

The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is often described as a massive effort to “get the water right.” Unfortunately, CERP isn’t going to “get the water right” right away. On Dec. 11, 2000, President Bill Clinton signed the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration…

‘Trump Homes’ and why Florida is only going to see more ‘sprawl’

February 3, 2026

Now it all makes sense. As we and others have noted this legislative session, there’s been a huge onslaught of pro-”sprawl” bills, most of which invoke “affordable housing.” That is, if we limit local governments ability to regulate new housing…

Deep Dive: How a changing climate is supercharging this deadly bacteria

December 30, 2025

One day — Monday, Feb. 27, 2023, to be exact — Steve Zelenski was in a boat checking stone crab traps on the Indian River Lagoon just west of the House of Refuge near Stuart. Four days later, the 68-year-old…

Deep Dive: Proposed EPA rule on wetlands would hammer Florida

December 18, 2025

Wetlands — whether massive marshes stretching across South Florida like the Everglades or little bitty bogs tucked away in a subdivision — are vital to the environment. They improve water quality, help prevent and reduce floods, recharge groundwater and store…

Six bills, one agenda: Sen. McClain pushes pro-development blitz

December 11, 2025

Florida Sen. Stan McClain comes off as an affable guy — the type of person you might like to get a beer with. But after seeing the legislation he’s filed ahead of the 2026 Legislative Session, you may want to…

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