VI. Public opposition averted SB 2508 water crisis

Within days of the Florida Senate filing sneak-attack legislation disguised as a budget bill, Captains For Clean Water alerted the public, igniting a firestorm of opposition against Senate Bill 2508.

As originally written, SB 2508 would write into law the preferential treatment of the industrial sugarcane industry to the detriment of all other water users. (Details on original harmful provisions.) 

The Florida Senate intended to stifle public engagement and fast-track this bad bill into law by ramming it through the budget process, essentially undercutting the legislative process.

Through massive education and awareness campaigns, Captains reached more than 9 million people on social media, effectively exposing the political scheme, bringing the public to the table, and ensuring transparency and accountability from lawmakers.  

Throughout the fight to kill Senate Bill 2508, Captains For Clean Water had an unprecedented amount of engagement from the fishing community, partners, outdoor brands, and businesses. Over 50,000 of our supporters stepped up and voiced their opposition to SB 2508, resulting in 156,000 emails to the Legislature, 1,500 phone calls, and 47,000 petition signatures.

This outpouring of opposition, combined with Governor DeSantis's stern opposition to the bill, created public pressure that forced the Senate to amend the bill not once, but twice, and remove the proviso language that held hostage over $300 million in state Everglades funding contingent on passage of 2508.

KILLED: Dilutes funding for the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir by opening a dedicated funding stream to other competing projects. (Line item removed ✓)

KILLED: Subjects LOSOM and all other future Lake Okeechobee regulation schedules to the CERP savings clause. This would reduce beneficial environmental flows to the Everglades and the Caloosahatchee during the dry season, forcing higher lake levels at the start of wet season and creating less capacity to take on summer rains. The result would be more toxic discharges and more nutrients to fuel red tide blooms. (Line item removed ✓)

KILLED: Ties over $300 Million of Everglades restoration funding to the passage of the bill, making it challenging for the Governor to block. (Line item removed ✓)

KILLED*: Requires SFWMD reports be sent to the Legislature providing opportunities for them to be legally challenged. (*Still requires reports to be sent, however, the final legislation specifies the reports are not challengeable.)

WEAKENED: Takes authority away from SFWMD to change rules on how Lake O is managed at lower levels. (Final version of SB 2508 removed the portion turning existing rules into state law. However, it still creates an opportunity for the Legislature to block SFWMD rule changes, making them very difficult to change and ultimately benefiting the status quo.)

Senate Bill 2508 was stripped down to a shell of it's original form, removing most of the harmful Everglades language. Floridians were able to protect Florida’s water from yet another political scheme intended to preserve the status quo water mismanagement which has destroyed our economy and quality of life for far too long.

The amended version of SB 2508 advanced to Governor Ron DeSantis's desk for final decision which we anticipate in the coming months. 

Our efforts wouldn't be possible without your support. Join our community of passionate people with a shared love for Florida's natural resources and let's ensure their protection for future generations. 

CONTACT: For information and interview requests, contact Alycia Downs, Director of Education & Awareness, alycia@captainsforcleanwater.org.