In a recently released report, the pro-development Council of 100 has advocated widespread changes in the way water resources are managed in the state of Florida. It attacks the current system of public ownership and local control of distribution of water, replacing it with a politicized system and privatization. The "Gang of 100" seeks to impact areas of the state that have not yet outstripped their water resources, by having large amounts of this vital resource taken from them, to supply areas that have allowed uncontrolled growth to outstrip the availability of cheap water. The Gang's plan will have the added effect of continuing the unbridled growth of South Florida, with all its impacts on the environment and quality of life. "With all of its potential impacts to our state's water resources, growth management and the environment, it's probably the worst idea we've seen in a long time," said Greg Kalmbach, Chairman of the Florida Chapter. Who is the Gang of 100? Business, industry and development leaders and lobbyists. It is the same group of industry lobbyists that has pushed for the weakening of the Everglades cleanup criteria, and the injection of wastewater into the fragile underground aquifers that they call "storage". Due to unmanaged growth in South Florida, and a reluctance to conserve the resource, business and development advocates are trying to push a proposal that would, among other things, set up a statewide Water Supply Commission. Its far-reaching authority would supercede that of the existing Water Management Districts. Ironically, the state government that always advocates for "less government" appears willing to consider adding another layer of bureaucracy to an already complex system. This politicized Water Supply Commission appointed by the Governor would take away county and regional control of the public's water supply. It will decide how water is to be distributed throughout the state, and will likely set up a water transfer system from the North to the South. This dangerous idea will create a new "Civil War" based upon water. The statutes that protect areas of the state from "water grabs", the Local Sources First laws, will be thrown out the window, replaced by a politicized system of distribution for our most precious resource. What priority will the needs of natural systems have? Likely, dead last. Contrary to the "Gang of 100s" perceptions, there is no excess water in the state of Florida. Every drop is being fully utilized by people and natural systems. When too much water is taken out of these systems, we see grave damage such as the Everglades, the subject of a multi-billion dollar cleanup, and Tampa Lakes, where draw downs have created an ecological desert. The health of all our estuaries is dependent upon freshwater inflow. Who will need water in the future? Those areas in the north which are seen by the Gang as water-rich, and ripe for the plucking, are growing as well, and will someday need all their water. Then where will they pipe it from? This plan will discourage conservation and result in even worse water shortages in the future. Another of the Gang's dangerous ideas is the privatization of water resource development and distribution. This proposal would set up a massive for-profit industry controlling the public's water and regulated only by politicians susceptible to influence from election contributions. Other places in the country where this idea has been tried report horror stories of dramatic increases in costs and reduced availability of water. Private control of the public's water is an invitation to exploitation and disservice. "People cannot live without clean, affordable drinking water," said John Swingle, Conservation Chair of the Sierra Club Florida Chapter. "And our water reserves should not be doled out as a reward to big dollar campaign contributors."
"This plan is a prescription for disaster," said Rosalie Shaffer, Chair of the Florida Chapter's Water and Wetlands Committee. "And the real truth is that it is unnecessary. With good conservation measures in place and wise growth management, it is not needed." She points out that according to a recent series on water in the Orlando Sentinel, about half of the water used by people in Florida is used for agricultural purposes. Half of the non-agricultural use is for landscaping. "It's been estimated that half of that water can be conserved through water-saving technologies and reuse," she said. However, the Gang's report hardly touches on conservation; the emphasis is on water transfer and privatization. This plan will exacerbate future water shortages, drive up costs, and damage water-dependent ecosystems and wildlife resources. In addition, any water transfer system of pipelines will cost the taxpayers billions of dollars—money that would be better used for conservation measures and stormwater control. "What this is really about," says Susie Caplowe, Florida Chapter lobbyist, "is the hijacking of the public's water supply to encourage more runaway development in South Florida, and create a multi-billion dollar industry for water profiteers. The public needs to say NO loud and clear." | 
