Paccione Signs Florida’s Clean Water Declaration
By Yvonne Martinez // January 24, 2014
protecting florida's waters
Palm Bay Councilwoman Joins Leaders From 16 Other Municipalities Around Florida In Simultaneous Signing
BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORODA – Palm Bay Councilwoman Michele Paccione signed Florida’s Clean Water Declaration Wednesday morning before a handful of citizens.
The declaration recognizes the importance of working as a community to improve the overall water quality of one of the area’s most fragile natural resources, the Indian River Lagoon and other important water bodies.
Paccione joined leaders from 16 other municipalities around Florida in a simultaneous signing ceremony to show unity and support for policies that will work towards finding solutions.
“We must stop pollution at its source rather than allowing it to enter our waters,” Paccione read from the declaration.
“We must protect Florida’s waters as well as the people who depend on them, from overconsumption and privatization and we must protect the natural environment which is critical to the health of Florida people, wildlife and economy and provide clean water for future generations.”
‘WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO THE POINT OF NO RETURN’
The Indian River Lagoon Coalition helped coordinate the event at Palm Bay City Hall which drew supporters carrying signs demanding clean water and to save the dying Indian River Lagoon.
“It’s almost biologically dead,” said Spence Guerin of the Indian River Lagoon Coalition. “This is what scientists are saying. We are very close to the point of no return. We want an end to the pollution and it’s got to be stopped at the source.”
Paccione says she hopes to use the declaration to inspire people to work together to create a new water ethic and to educate the public about doing its part to stop further pollution and move toward clean, healthy water.
