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Editorial: Anti-Environmental Bill: Save Florida From Harm
May 16th, 2013

Editorial: Problem Ordinances
May 8th, 2012

Editorial: Cedar Key Arts Show
April 28th, 2012

Editorial: Cedar Key Arts Show
April 20th, 2012

Editorial: Status of Nuclear Power as Savior
March 15th, 2012

Editorial: Advice to Letter Writers
February 13th, 2012

Editorial: 2011 is History
January 7th, 2012

Editorial: The History of Island Nations
December 24th, 2011

Editorial: Why You DON’T Pay for the Cedar Key News Online
November 11th, 2011

Editorial: Hoppin’ John ***
November 3rd, 2011

Editorial: What Decline?
October 10th, 2011

Editorial: Notes from a Slightly Bigger Island
October 8th, 2011

Editorial: Barking Mad
October 5th, 2011

Editorial: Fix the Bridges!
September 11th, 2011

Editorial: Catching the Right Wave
July 27th, 2011

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Water, Water, Water

Water, Water, Water

Editorial

Fresh water is essential to life. And, water is essential to the economy of Cedar Key and the State of Florida. Certainly crude oil, NASCAR and X-Boxes are important to many people, but fresh water resources and unpolluted salt water are more important to the people of Florida, and our many visitors.

The rivers and wetlands of Florida need protection for the fish and wildlife that they support. They also feed the underground water resource, the aquifer, from which we all drink. The estuaries and bays need protection from pollution because they are the nurseries for seafood species and sports fish species.

The scenic, sanitary and recreational conditions of Florida's rivers all have economic value. Tourists and tourist's dollars come to Florida because of the fishing and kayaking. Florida's coastal waters draw tourists and produce clams, oysters, crabs and mullet for the tourists and natives to eat. Pollution of coastal waters shuts down shellfish harvest and kills the sea grass beds that are essential to fish production.

Protection of coastal waters and beaches is essential to the tourist industry. Most elected officials, lame ducks excluded, recognize the dangers of offshore drilling, yet pressure from lobbyists and the need for campaign funds can override the public interest.

Sustainable resources are those that will be available to our children and future generations if they are protected from short-term economic gain and corporate greed. Clean water is a sustainable resource that must be protected from tapping the aquifer to the point that springs dry up or dumping pulp mill waste into the Fenholloway River or the Gulf. Oil spills and hurricanes bring economic loss, but we can avoid the threat of oil spills.

When a clear and present danger to our water occurs, let your legislators, regulators and neighbors know that our water resources must be protected.

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