What does clean water mean?
To the editor:
I was recently at an event collecting petition signatures to get the Right To Clean Water Amendment on the 2026 Florida ballot. The questions and feedback were varied and interesting. For me, the citizens’ eagerness to sign the petition was both encouraging and reflective of how the average voter feels about our state government’s handling of the environment.
Some were worried about access to drinking water, others were concerned about harmful algae blooms. The fishermen were, of course, worried about the death of untold numbers of fish due to red tide or dying algae killing fish by using up all the oxygen in the water. Some of those that outright refused to sign the petition were worried about government retribution!! Others just didn’t want to get involved.
One demographic stood out with almost unanimous support of the Right to Clean Water petition. It was generally registered voters over the age of 50! These citizens have lived long enough to remember when the water was clean almost everywhere they went in Southwest Florida. They were nostalgic about huge grass flats in the Caloosa-hatchee River, dolphins, tarpon and manatees were regular visitors to the canals. The beaches were always a safe and a wonderful place to visit on a hot summer day.
We can turn back the clock! I believe we ALL have the right to clean and healthy water. Please go to FloridaRighttoClean Water.org. Download, print and mail your signed petition. We need almost a million signatures!
Dan Carney
Cape Coral