Rivers In Peril

As a kayak guide on the many rivers in Florida, including the Indian and Banana Rivers, I have noticed in the past few years a critical loss of the sea grass, the life blood of a river. I have spoken at the county and cities in Brevard to try and persuade them to take a stronger stance than the states model for fertilizer use, which only recommends a fertilizer ban during the rainy season. Our River our crown jewel is dying. The White Pelicans and ducks all bottom feeders are nearly gone. The wading birds are all in steep decline, due to the loss of the sea grass. The Manatees, Dolphins and Pelican deaths are at record levels. Our once world class fisheries, have long ago collapsed. In fact the state of Florida has put it on their list of imperiled waterways. Leaking septic tanks, discharges from bumbling sewer treatment plants, thousands of pounds of animal waste, chemicals and trash from our road ways, soil contamination from careless contractors, that change the river bottom from sand to muck all contribute to the death of a river, but make no mistake the number one source of our rivers demise and other rivers throughout Florida is the uncontrolled use of fertilizers, and all the nitrogen and phosphorus pouring in. The recent super algae blooms of the past few years has decimated the sea grass. The time for allowing the individual and the fertilizer companies to decide all our fates has passed. I was disapointed in the county's weak leadership in siding with the states model, in such desperate times, you don't recommend for someone to get out of a burning building. Rockledge on the other hand saw the need for strong action and voted to ban fertilizer use during the rainy season. 
     Representive Steve Crissafulli has now proposed a two year moratorium on local ordinances that put stricter rules on fertilizer use than what the state recommends, if it becomes law Crissafulli's proposal would nullify Rockledge and other cities and counties, who opted for a stronger ordinance. Crissafulli said, the primary goal is not to retroactively change what cities and counties have done. Only a few municipalities would be impacted by a moratorium, those that went stricter than a state model ordinance. It's really about moving forward said Crissafulli, who's also chairman of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee. His family is also in the cattle and citrus industry. It's easy to see where his allegiance lies, and it's not with us, and it's not with our rivers. Don't let false leaders and politicans and the true heavy hitters in all this mess, Big Farmers, and Citrus, Industrial polluters, Landscapers and other fertilizer interests, destroy our amazing rivers. We don't need more Committees and Review Boards. We already know the rivers are dying, and we know why. Don't let politicans, self interests and the powers to be continue in their madness. If we can't stop them, we'll all be held accountable.
      Mark Nathan is a singer songwriter, poet and author.