OPINION

Aerial view of the Ocklawaha River during the current drawdown. [Photo by Michael Warren]

For the first time in nearly 60 years, local communities and the Florida Legislature came together to craft a balanced, locally informed solution to restore the Ocklawaha River — SB 1066 and companion HB 981, the Northeast Florida Rivers, Springs, and Community Investment Act. On Feb. 19, the Senate scheduled a vote, supporters drove hours to witness firsthand the historic moment and then Senate President Albritton pulled the plug. The question is, why?

Surely, Sen. Albritton recognizes that the Act finally gets restoration right. By pairing restoration with locally guided state investment in outdoor recreation and the economy, SB 1066 and HB 981 position the citizens of Putnam, Marion and neighboring rural river communities to reap outsized rewards from Ocklawaha River restoration.

Sen. Albritton must also recognize that thousands of Floridians — from community leaders, local businesses, anglers, and scientists — to members of House and Senate committees — have endorsed the bill.

And, of course, Sen. Albritton recognizes the great lengths to which Senator Jason Brodeur and Representative Wyman Duggan have gone to build SB 1066 and HB 981 through collaboration with communities, stakeholders and the Legislature. 

Considering all that, there remains only one practical explanation: special interests may be getting in the Senate President’s way, and there’s nothing more special than Save the Rodman Reservoir.

The Putnam County Commission, which now has the ear of Senator Leek, President Albritton and Rep. Sapp is heavily influenced by Larry Harvey, Commissioner and Save the Rodman Executive Director.

Now, Sen. Leek and Rep. Sapp’s districts may include the reservoir, but their responsibilities extend far beyond that geography, extending north along the St. Johns River and estuary — a river deeply in need of the kind of help Ocklawaha River restoration would bring.

Sen. Leek might find merit in Save the Rodman’s claims and conspiracy theories. Or he, like many supporters of the reservoir, might have cherished memories there.

But the fact remains: the fate of Florida’s longest river, the nation’s largest freshwater spring, and the millions who depend on the Ocklawaha, Silver and St. Johns rivers, must not be dictated by the interests of a small, diehard contingent of reservoir advocates.

No matter where you stand on Ocklawaha River restoration, this much is true: a bill this consequential should live or die in daylight, not be suffocated in the dark.

SB 1066 and HB 981 have cleared the hurdles and earned their day on the Senate floor.

Now, Senate President Albritton, the time has come to advance this historic legislation and let your fellow members render their verdict for SB1066.