Environmentally Speaking is intended to alert, inform and educate residents of Collier and Lee counties about threats to our unique and delicate Southwest Florida ecosystem.

Southwest Florida Clean Water Movement leader John G. Heim is demonstrating for 90 consecutive days to educate the public regarding the harmful effects of the Lake Okeechobee discharges. Residents can support Heim by joining him daily at 5 p.m. atop the Fort Myers Bridge (Mantanza Pass) through July and August.  Facebook.com/groups/SWFLcleanwater.

CollierGov.net cautions that with the arrival of hurricane season, which continues through November 30, coastal residents are at risk of storm surge events that have the potential for destroying buildings and putting lives at risk. CoreLogic.com, a leading provider of consumer, financial and property information analytics and services to business and government, rated Cape Coral-Fort Myers sixth and Naples area ninth at risk for storm surge. Be prepared by contacting the appropriate county for plans regarding flooding and storm surges.

A Harvard University Graduate School of Design proposal to study the impacts of sea level rise on Collier county is garnering some attention and support from a wide-ranging group of 30 elected officials, business leaders, scientists and environmentalists. However, the three-year study on how to maintain a coastal lifestyle that is crucial to promoting tourism in the area is facing a hurdle—money. If funded at an estimated cost of $250,00, the study will be published in 2019. For more information regarding coastal cities affected by sea level rise, download the study at Tinyurl.com/CoastalSeaLevelRise.

Stonecrab Alliance and other environmental groups are working to stop the potential damage to 70,000 acres in Big Cypress National Preserve that will be subjected to seismic testing by Burnett Oil Company’s plan to explore for oil and gas deposits. The National Park Service, charged with the responsibility to protect the lands, flora and fauna under its jurisdiction, approved a plan to create up to 1,000 miles of new rutted trails through the habitat of nine federally endangered species. For more information, visit Facebook.com/groups/stonecraballiance. Read the report at Tinyurl.com/BigCypressGasAndOilPlan.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida and other local environmental groups, supported by 2,500 members of the general public, are in opposition to the Eastern Collier Multiple Species Habitat Conservation plan (HCP). The plan provides for the intense mining and residential/commercial development of 45,000 acres (the equivalent of nine new towns the size of Ave Maria) in Eastern Collier County. Read the report at Tinyurl.com/CollierHabitatProtection.

Vote Yes on Amendment 4 on August 30. By casting a YES vote on Amendment 4, all Floridians will have an opportunity to lower the cost of energy. If passed, the proposed amendment will exempt solar systems from the burdensome tangible personal property tax for a period of 20 years.