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Editorial: Editorial: Cedar Key News Annual Meeting March 29
March 8th, 2008

Editorial: Let School Board Know What Should Be Taught
February 15th, 2008

Editorial: What Is a Fair Tax?
February 4th, 2008

Editorial: Inconsistent Appraisals Harm Taxpayers
December 17th, 2007

Editorial: Energy Crisis?
November 30th, 2007

Editorial: Florida Water War Heat Up
October 16th, 2007

Editorial: Nobel Prizes in Medicine
October 5th, 2007

Editorial: Editorial: Same Rules for Everyone
September 22nd, 2007

Editorial: Demand Action on Bridge Repair
August 8th, 2007

Editorial: Local Response Needed to Stem Clam Poaching
July 24th, 2007

Editorial: Money, Money, Money...Votes
July 9th, 2007

Editorial: We Celebrate Independence and Clams
June 26th, 2007

Editorial: Are You Ready for Hurricane Season?
June 12th, 2007

Editorial: The Sources of Progress in Medicine
May 30th, 2007

Editorial: A New Era of Politics and Religion
May 17th, 2007

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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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