“If signed into law, CS/CS/SB 712 will only make our water quality problems worse in the long run. It provides political cover for a Legislature that refuses to make the tough choices necessary to address this crisis. And it guarantees another half-decade, or more, of inaction towards meaningful and effective water quality laws,” says a letter released to the public Tuesday and delivered to the governor Monday.

Signatories to the letter include large and small organizations that have for decades been pointing the way to protect Florida’s waterways from pollution. They include Sierra Club Florida, Florida Springs Council, Earthjustice, League of Women Voters of Florida, Center for Biological Diversity, Save the Manatee Club, Florida Paddling Association, Florida Water Conservation Trust, and numerous regional groups allied around protecting rivers and springs in their own back yards.

The legislation, spearheaded by Sen. Debbie Mayfield, a Republican from Indian River and Brevard counties, passed the House and the Senate and is awaiting the governor’s signature.