Only Gallen and Disabatino Sign Clean Water Pledge

BRADENTON – Suncoast Waterkeeper, Bay Life Preservers, Sierra Club, START, and ManaSota-88 held a press conference in downtown Bradenton last Wednesday after inviting members of the Manatee County Commission and Bradenton City Council to sign a declaration to protect clean water. County Commissioners Michael Gallen and Robin DiSabatino were the only local officials to make the pledge.

Manatee County Commissioner Michael Gallen

Manatee County Commissioner Robin DiSabatino

Floridians representing more than 100 different organizations in communities across the state organized to call on local and state officials to "Commit to Clean Water." The groups held simultaneous press events to ask local elected officials to sign the Floridians' Clean Water Declaration.

The text of the pledge reads as follows:

We the undersigned hereby declare:

The people of Florida have an inalienable right to:

1. Clean drinking water whether that water is drawn from public sources or private wells.
2. Safe lakes, streams, springs, rivers, canals and coastal waters for swimming and fishing.
3. Protection from water pollution and its effects.
4. Know the sources of pollution that threaten Florida’s waters.
5. Protection from water privatization and its effects.
6. Abundant water for drinking, fishing and recreation.

The people of Florida, the state government, and the industries that benefit from Florida’s natural resources have the responsibility to:
1. Stop pollution at its source rather than allowing it to enter our waters.
2. Protect Florida’s waters, as well as the people who depend on them, from overconsumption and privatization.
3. Protect the natural environment which is critical to the health of Florida's people, wildlife and economy.
4. Provide clean water for future generations.

By signing this declaration, we agree to its principles and resolve to work together in good faith to ensure that the future of our waters will be driven by the concepts contained within this FLORIDIANS’ CLEAN WATER DECLARATION.