TCPalm’s exclusive survey of Florida’s flagship program to limit nutrient pollution flowing into Lake Okeechobee is the first to show that every rainfall drainage basin around the lake with available data exceeds the limit of the state.
Improving the state system depends on public attention and accountability. Readers who think the system isn’t working can contact their legislators to demand changes.
Read the full survey and see map and all charts.
Clean water advocates have cited these possible solutions:
- More funding to hire additional staff to inspect farms every two years, as needed
- More water quality monitors collecting data to identify sources of pollution
- Effective enforcement against farmers who violate state rules
- Limit the use of fertilizers that could prevent harmful runoff into waterways.
Here’s how to contact Florida state officials:
XAVIER MASCAREÑAS/TCPALM
- Represented : District 17 (all of Indian River; part of Brevard)
- Capital address: 322 Senate Office Building, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
- County address: 900 E. Strawbridge Ave., Melbourne, FL 32901
- County address: 1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
- Upper case phone: 850-487-5017
- County phone: 321-409-2025
- County phone: 772-226-1970
- E-mail: mayfield.debbie.web@flsenate.gov
- Website: flsenate.gov/senators/s17
- Twitter: @debbie_mayfield
- Facebook: @senatordebbiemayfield
- Represented : District 25 (all of Martin, St. Lucia; part of Palm Beach)
- Capital address: 310 Senate Building, 404 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
- County address: 215 SW Federal Highway, Suite 203, Stuart, FL 34994
- Upper case phone: 850-487-5025
- County phone: 772-221-4019
- E-mail: harrell.gayle@flsenate.gov
- Website: flsenate.gov/Senators/s25
- Twitter: @Gayle_Harrell
- Facebook: @gayleharrellfl
- Represented : District 54 (all of Indian River; part of St. Lucia)
- Capital address: 209 House Office Building, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
- County address: 1801 27th St., Suite B2-203, Vero Beach, FL 32960-3388
- Upper case phone: 850-717-5054
- County phone: 772-778-5005
- E-mail: erin.grall@myfloridahouse.gov
- Website: myfloridahouse.gov
- Twitter: @ErinGrall
- Facebook: @ErinGrall4FLStateHouse
- Represented : District 55 (all Glades, Highlands, Okeechobee; part of St. Lucia)
- Capital address: 214 House Office Building, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
- County address: 55 S. Parrott Ave., Okeechobee, FL 34974-2968
- Upper case phone: 850-717-5055
- County phone: 863-462-5019
- E-mail: kaylee.tuck@myfloridahouse.gov
- Website: myfloridahouse.gov
- Twitter: @KayleeTuck2
- Facebook: @TuckforDistrict55
- Represented : District 82 (part of Martin and Palm Beach)
- Capital address: 418 The Capitol, 402 S. Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
- County address: 11700 SE Dixie Highway, Hobe Sound, FL 33455
- Upper case phone: 850-717-5082
- County phone: 772-545-3481
- E-mail: john.snyder@myfloridahouse.gov
- Website: myfloridahouse.gov
- Facebook: @JohnSnyder82
- Represented : District 84 (part of Saint Lucia)
- Capital address: 1302 The Capitol, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
- County address: 100 NUS 1, Fort Pierce, FL 34950-4205
- Upper case phone: 850-717-5084
- County phone: 772-595-1391
- E-mail: dana.trabulsy@myfloridahouse.gov
- Website: myfloridahouse.gov
- Facebook: @DanaForFlorida
Sydney Czyzon is a TCPalm project reporter. Contact her at sydney.czyzon@tcpalm.com, 772-469-6045, @SydneyCzyzon on Twitter or @ReporterSydney on Facebook.
Max Chesnes is TCPalm’s environment reporter. Contact him at max.chesnes@tcpalm.com, 772-978-2224 or @MaxChesnes on Twitter.
Lindsey Leake is TCPalm’s health reporter. She contributed significantly to the data analysis and digital production of this report. Contact her at lindsey.leake@tcpalm.com, 772-529-5378, @NewsyLindsey on Twitter or @LindseyMLeake on Facebook.
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