On November 2nd you will have an opportunity to tell local, state, and federal politicians that you want a SAY in what impacts your quality of life. There are three important ballot amendments that the public placed on the 2010 ballot 4, 5, and 6. Clean Water Action is asking its members and supporters to just vote yes!

Amendment 4: Referred to as Florida Hometown Democracy -- Clean Water Action has been fighting at the local level for years to stop efforts to destroy our communities, jeopardize our water supply, and our environment with unwise development. Amendment 4 would even the playing field in the fight over smart growth.

For the past six years, Clean Water Action has coordinated a diverse coalition called Hold the Line (HTL) whose mission is to ensure that development does not take place outside of the Urban Development Boundary (UDB).

Every seven years, Miami-Dade updates its Comprehensive Land-Use Plan officially thru the process known as the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR). The plan takes a comprehensive look at current vacant and developed land and forecasts population and development trends for the future. This large scale mapping project also designates what land can be used for commercial, agricultural, and residential use and looks at the impact it has on schools, transportation, water supply, and economic conditions.

For the past two years, Clean Water Action has been part of a coalition working to get the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to purchase critical lands which would help with Everglades restoration and improve south Florida's water quality.

On August 12th the SFWMD made a landmark decision to purchase 26,800 acres of land which would help restore America's Everglades.

The land being purchased is sugar and citrus fields that will eventually be taken out of production and used for the pre-treatment and the storage of clean water. The money for this purchase was already earmarked by SFWMD so this is no taxpayer burden.

Clean Water Action, its members and allies had a major victory on August 26th when the Palm Beach County Commission voted to enact a one-year moratorium on new rocking mining in the County.  

Swimming turtle by Mary Patti, Winner

Congratulations to Mary Patti for winning our "What Does Water Mean to You?" Kids Art Contest!

We had over 60 beautiful and creative watercolor entries from artists ranging from 4-14, all with unique depictions of Florida water and ecosystems. It was too hard to choose just one, so we had a public vote on 11 finalists. With so many great works of art, voting was close.

Find an event in Florida, New Jersey, or where you live.

It's clear from the disaster in the Gulf that oil is risky, dirty, and dangerous.

Join Clean Water Action members and supporters in Florida on Saturday, June 26th for a national day of action to help clean up America's energy and to call on President Obama to move us off oil.

Find a Hand Across the Sand event in Florida, New Jersey, or in other parts of the U.S. or around the world.

For local organizing or attendance information in Florida, please contact Kathy Aterno.

On April 22, ignoring the outcry from residents and conservation groups, the Palm Beach County Commission voted 5-2 to allow 2,300 more acres of rock mining in the Everglades Agricultural Area. This decision reflects the County Commission's failure to prioritize the public good over private profit and protect South Florida's drinking water supply.

Despite a slowed economy, reduced demand and a lack of sound science the Palm Beach County Commission has given piecemeal approval of over 14,000 acres of mines since 2007.

Facing angry residents, the ill-advised Ferro development seeking business and office space outside the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) was withdrawn just minutes before a public hearing before the Miami-Dade County Commission.

Neon green "Hold the Line" stickers decorated the lapels of citizens throughout the commission chambers who had shown up in opposition, including candidates for the upcoming Miami Dade County Commission election in August.

On Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 1 p.m., thousands of Floridians from all walks of life will gather on beaches from Pensacola to Key West and Miami to Jacksonville in a statewide coastal protest against legislative proposals to open Florida's waters to offshore oil drilling.

Stand with Clean Water Action and be a part of this historic event! Go to your local Florida beach at 1 p.m. wearing a black t-shirt or hat. At 1:30 pm, we will hold hands creating human lines in the sand protesting oil drilling in Florida's waters.

To find out what's being organized in your area, visit Hands Across the Sand. For additional information on offshore drilling issues or regarding this event please contact Margaret Morales at 305-653-9101.