Water activists turn tide on degradation

By Chronicle editorial board

THE ISSUE: Groups work to promote water quality in county.

OUR OPINION: We’re fortunate to have such dedicated volunteers.

Thanks to an assemblage of groups, water quality is not an afterthought in Citrus County.

At one time, a division among business, growth and environmental interests existed. But, due to concerned activists and others heeding their call, a shift has taken place in recent history.

Groups like TOO FAR, the Homosassa River Alliance, Citrus 20/20, Withlacoochee Area Residents and King’s Bay Muckrakers, to name a few, are the grassroots organizations helping keep water quality at the forefront of public awareness. Their efforts have challenged and spurred government officials into action.

More than a decade ago “local sources first” sprang to life as an initiative championed by former Citrus County legislator Nancy Argenziano, whose concern for the preventing water transfers led to state legislation. In the years to follow, the various groups that embraced water quality initiatives also sprang to life. While their causes have varied and the subject of water has at times been peripheral to other concerns — be it mining or high-density development — the desire to protect water or reverse degradation has been ever present.

Today, protecting water remains a paramount concern for many, yet threats continue.

In the past 30 years, the Southwest Florida Water Management District has bought public land to protect watersheds, partnered with other state agencies to remove sediment from various bodies of water, set up water quality monitoring programs and partnered with other entities to assist with reclaimed water projects.

From the latter decades of the 20th century through the dawn of the 21st century, county commissioners including Hank Cohen and Gary Bartell, among others, have done their part to change the political landscape to be more water-friendly. Bartell, with support from fellow board members, championed the Chassahowitzka and Homosassa sewer projects.

But it is the grassroots organizations that are the conscience of the county. They prove every day a number of people are interested in, and concerned about, water quality and the environment — which leads to a higher quality of life for all of us.

We are fortunate to have such an active community and one that understands that good water quality contributes to an outstanding quality of life for residents.