Crist can offer life preserver to Florida's oceans, coasts

Ericka D'Avanzo and Sarah Chasis | Special to the Sentinel
Posted February 15, 2007

The United States just got its report card on ocean policy, and the grades don't look good. The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative issued its second annual U.S. Ocean Policy Report Card, and our nation's overall average is a C-minus. Despite actions at all government levels last year, ocean and coastal policy reform still needs a visit to the guidance counselor, and maybe Florida could become just the counselor to help.

With a newly elected governor, Florida has a fresh opportunity to turn the tide on its own ocean and coastal policy. If Gov. Charlie Crist chooses this path, he could lead the nation by example on ocean reform. We take it as a very positive development that Crist has included $8 million in his proposed budget for advancing ocean and coastal research and management in Florida. It's a good start.

For Crist, now is the time for insight and forward thinking if we are to protect our health, welfare and safety in a new world of stronger hurricanes, rising sea levels, red tides and declining fish populations. In doing so, he will ensure healthy and vibrant ocean and coastal ecosystems that are crucial to our sustained economic well-being, public health and standard of living.

The governor must also freshen the atmosphere in state agencies that too often favor policy outcomes that make an orphan of sound science. Further opportunity rests with his new administration -- like the head of the Florida Department of Community Affairs, Tom Pelham, responsible for growth management; Mike Sole, the head of Florida Department of Environmental Protection; and the appointment of new leaders for the Environmental Regulatory Commission, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the governing boards of the state's water-management districts.

Most important, the governor must implement several policy recommendations offered by both the Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition in its blueprint (www.nrdc.org/oceans/florida/flfuture.asp) and the Joint Ocean Commission Initiative's report card (www.jointoceancommis sion.org). Such recommendations include:

Creating an Office of Environmental Affairs in the executive office of the governor to coordinate scattered programs and provide unified leadership, with citizen involvement, for ocean and coastal management. (Report Card recommendation: Implement additional regional and state ocean governance efforts.)

Fully funding the Florida Oceans and Coastal Resources Council and ocean research priorities identified by the council. (Report Card recommendation: Address chronic underfunding of ocean science and education.)

With public involvement, creating a state climate plan by the end of 2007. Such a plan must reduce Florida's global-warming emissions and lead our state toward a clean renewable-energy future that creates jobs and boosts our economy. (Report Card recommendation: Include oceans in ongoing initiatives to address climate change and the President's American Competitiveness Initiative.)

Re-evaluating and revising the 20-year-old Coastal Construction Control Line Program in order to ensure the program is accomplishing its coastal resource protection goals. (Report Card recommendation: Expand protection for ecologically or culturally important marine areas.)

With bold leadership, Crist can guide Florida to a sustainable future by decisively setting forth priorities and a mission that does not hesitate or equivocate. And the public should demand no less.

Ericka D'Avanzo is the Florida regional manager of the Surfrider Foundation, a coastal and ocean preservation group, in Jensen Beach. Sarah Chasis is a senior staff member in water and oceans program for the Natural Resources Defense Council. They wrote this commentary for the Orlando Sentinel.