State Talks Up "Success" In S. FL Environment - Locals Do Not Agree

[hatrack]

The "unprecedented success" of environmental protection announced by the state in Wednesday's annual report on South Florida came as a shock locally. "I believe it has been an unprecedented failure," said Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah of fresh water released from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee River.

The water releases, which lower water levels in the country's largest inland lake, are blamed for upsetting the river's freshwater balance, contributing to algae blooms, and plant and wildlife death. "The 2006 South Florida Environmental Report delivers a comprehensive snapshot of Florida's unprecedented success over the last past year," wrote Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen Castille, focusing on the reduction of fertilizer runoff into the Everglades.

Locally — where officials are considering suing the state and federal government for the deteriorating conditions — officials wondered how hard they had to look for good news. "It's a pure public relations gimmick with no substantive or demonstrable data to support any kind of environmental success whatsoever," Judah said.

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Sanibel Councilman Steve Brown said he has seen enough. "If any of us did that or any company did that, we would be in criminal court," Brown said. "They have to stop lying. It hasn't been a booming success, it has been a dismal failure."

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http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060302/NEWS0105/603020383/1075

[lakeguy]

1. hey, trickle down theory does work....

for lying! i'm going to tell my boss i'm doin a heckuva job even if my numbers show the opposite. heck, i might even get a raise out of it, or a promotion!

[acmejack]

2. Repeat it over & over, so the truth can sink in

To kind of catapult the propaganda, you know, heh heh. That was the way a demonstrated master of the art once told me it was done...