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Editorial: Endangered Species -- May We Ask Why?
May 2nd, 2007

Editorial: Editorial: a Free Press
April 21st, 2007

Editorial: Airboat Noise
April 7th, 2007

Editorial: Another Delay in Dock Repair
March 5th, 2007

Editorial: Are Some Technological Wonders Economically Impractical?
February 27th, 2007

Editorial: Editorial: Weakest Tax Link Examined
December 22nd, 2006

Editorial: A New Year`s Resolution -- For the Levy County Commission
December 10th, 2006

Editorial: Political Tides
November 17th, 2006

Editorial: Blue Pencil Needed on Levy County Budget
October 30th, 2006

Editorial: Fiscal Incompetence?
October 2nd, 2006

Editorial: Paddlers May Get Hit in Pocket
September 18th, 2006

Editorial: Time for Another Cedar Key Tea Party?
August 30th, 2006

Editorial: Automotive Turning Point
August 11th, 2006

Editorial: Are There Limits to Southern Hospitality?
July 24th, 2006

Editorial: Armadillos and Anthros
July 9th, 2006

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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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