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unincorporated Broward County and has had extensive we stand by and do nothing? Allowing further deterioration
environmental challenges. Since this area provides an of our waterways, the life-forces flowing through our City,
extremely important spawning environment, its health and may well bring socioeconomic and environmental
well-being is vital to the marine ecosystem of our ocean. devastation. By caring for, protecting and defending the
waterways of our beautiful Venice of America, we can
According to the Sun Sentinel, Bob Roscioli, a shipyard
owner in Fort Lauderdale has fond memories of swimming protect the future of Fort Lauderdale.
and fishing the New River as a teenage in the 1950’s. For more information on water quality testing:
“It was a paradise,” he said. “I could see the bottom. http://bcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/e8fc2b35ea6c4bfb8bf903505833153d
We used to catch a lot of fish in the river. I wouldn’t eat https://www.broward.org/NaturalResources/Lab/AboutUs/Pages/canalwaterquality.aspx.
http://www.floridahealth.gov/environmental-health/beach-water-quality/county-detail.html?County=Broward&Zip=33315-2643
anything from that river today. It’s a disgrace what’s https://www.broward.org/NaturalResources/Lab/AboutUs/Pages/canalwaterquality.aspx
going on. Now you have the danger of getting an http://bcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.html?appid=14e146b7bfa84dceae803465c5239fe4
infectious disease if you go in there. When I was a boy it Resources:
was pristine.” https://www.in.gov/isdh/22963.htm
https://www.healthline.com/health/healthy-home-guide/sewer-gas) (https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mmg/mmg.asp?id=385&tid=67)
Aerators were used to improve water quality in the Tarpon https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Domestic-wastewater-overflow-cleaning-up)
River and New River after this past horrific spill, but as to http://broward.floridahealth.gov/index.html
this date no vacuuming or dredging to remove the https://www.broward.org/EnvironmentAndGrowth/EnvironmentalProgramsResources/Publications/Documents/FreshwaterCanals.pdf
https://www.broward.org/EnvironmentAndGrowth/EnvironmentalProgramsResources/Publications/Documents/EstuarineWaters.pdf
contaminated waste on the bottom of affected waterways
https://www.broward.org/NaturalResources/Lab/Documents/MetalsInFishNForkNewRiver.pdf
has been ordered. And very little, if any, data on bacteria https://floridadep.gov/water/source-drinking-water/content/microbiological-contaminants
counts in our canals, rivers and ocean is distributed to the https://cfpub.epa.gov/watertrain/pdf/modules/introtocwa.pdf
public, or is extremely difficult to find or interpret. https://www.local10.com/this-week-in-south-florida/2020/01/12/this-week-in-south-florida-full-show-jan-12/
https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/ssodesc.pdf
“We’ve got to start thinking outside the box, what’s going https://www.sun-sentinel.com/opinion/commentary/fl-op-com-grant-maggio-fort-lauderdale-sewer-fix-marine-tourism-20200110-
to really keep our environment clean and safe for visitors foxfqmdbh5eijmzjbkgv52kffu-story.html
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-08/documents/34parentattainsdescriptions.pdf
and our residents,” said Mayor Trantalis. Those are going https://www.wlrn.org/post/broward-canals-vs-miami-dade-canals#stream/0
to be my priorities in the years ahead.” This Commission https://www.climatecentral.org/pdfs/Sewage.pdf
must put the health and welfare of its residents and visitors https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-ne-sewage-leak-fort-lauderdale-20191210-
kz3pgfu5fna7pgrv5nf7ktia6e-story.html
as well as our local waterways and ocean at the forefront
https://www.in.gov/isdh/22963.htm
of their city management agenda. https://www.wlrn.org/post/fort-lauderdale-residents-prepare-floating-protest-against-sewage-spills#stream/0
https://sciencing.com/effects-sewage-aquatic-ecosystems-21773.html
Local residents are angry, businesses are concerned, tourist https://www.floridatrend.com/article/16082/florida-is-the-fishing-capital-of-the-world
are wondering, what’s going on. Peaceful protests are https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/67/wr/mm6725a1.htm
starting to take root like the one held on Sunday, January
12th, in Collee Hammock Park. Over 50 sign-carrying
boaters and over 200 angry local residents gathered About the Author
Suzee Bailey resides in the Las Olas Isles
together on land and sea expressing their fears and
concerns, with Johnny Cash’s “Don’t Go Near the Water” where she serves as President of the
Nurmi Isles HOA, and is a member of
blasting in the background. A petition with over 3000
signatures is being massively distributed asking the the Las Olas Mobility Working Group.
Her background in journalism, broadcast-
Commission to, “Save Fort Lauderdale: Fix our
Infrastructure and Protect our Waters!” ing and acting has led to staunch advocacy for South Florida
water quality issues and other local civic issues. She shares
The Mariner’s killing of the albatross symbolized an act her love of nature and sports, especially those on the water
against nature, which led to the slow agonizing demise of such as paddle boarding, with her husband, Hall of Fame
his crew. His foolish and thoughtless act can help to remind Jockey Jerry Bailey, and their son, Justin, an attorney in
us of the catastrophic outcome Fort Lauderdale would face Fort Lauderdale.
by not respecting this beautiful and historical natural
resource. Though these important efforts to improve our
waterways may be costly, what will be the price we pay if

32 CORAL RIDGE COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES HOA