Dear South Florida political candidate:

Florida has a real opportunity to finish Everglades restoration. Although work on the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir continues, these projects stop short of providing enough water storage and treatment south of Lake Okeechobee.

The science is clear: Florida needs to acquire at least 100,000 additional acres in the EAA to prevent Lake O discharges to the northern estuaries; send enough clean, fresh water south to the Everglades and Florida Bay; and protect drinking water for millions of Floridians.

The funding is available, but the longer we wait, the higher the cost — to the taxpayer, and to the environment.

We're asking you to join other South Florida political candidates at the county, state and federal level in signing the pledge below:

"I pledge to support the acquisition of 100,000 acres of additional land in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) for the water storage and treatment needed to prevent harmful Lake Okeechobee discharges, restore clean water flows south to the Everglades and Florida Bay, and protect the health, economy, and drinking water of all Floridians. The science is clear, the funding exists and the time to finish Everglades restoration is now."

Candidates who sign the pledge will have their photo and link to their campaign web site listed on VoteWater.org, and will be considered for endorsement.

We welcome your signature in support of Florida's environment, economy, and public health.