Tim Walz Led the Way, and Aaron Hawkins followed, Fighting for the Environment of the Treasure Coast

Vice President Kamala Harris' decision to tap Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, to be her running mate has reignited the ongoing momentum in the Democratic Party and brought his record into the national spotlight. Among his numerous accolades as the highest-ranking retired enlisted officer to serve in Congress, a 6-term U.S. Representative, and a 2-term Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz has also stood up courageously for the quality of our environment.

Under Governor Walz's leadership, Minnesota became the first state in the nation to ban PFAS or "forever chemicals" from everyday products, sealing a victory for public health and environmental advocates. Minnesota's new law establishes a timeline for phasing out PFAS from industrial manufacturing of various products, which will prevent chemical companies from discharging them into waterways and severely impacting the public health of communities.

Florida needs to follow in the footsteps of Governor Walz in passing a comprehensive ban on PFAS. While Florida's legislature has passed HB 1475 and SB 7012 to create state rules for cleanup levels of PFAS, our state faces a widespread enemy in these "forever chemicals." As the next State Senator for District 31, I will work towards a ban that phases PFAS out of the Indian River Lagoon, the St. Lucie River, and all our waterways. More importantly, the Treasure Coast deserves an environmental platform geared towards sustainability, innovative technology, and smart growth planning.

What are the Issues? The Solutions?

Our district has a direct stake in the Lake Okeechobee water crisis. In mid-February, the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) released 15 billion gallons of freshwater from Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie River, lowering the salinity of the brackish river to dangerous levels for oysters and seagrass. More so, a study conducted by Greene Economics found that the next Harmful Algal Bloom (as a result of Lake Okeechobee discharges) in South Florida could wipe away millions of dollars in commercial fishing, and 5.2 billion dollars in economic output 43,000 jobs.

Legal Rights for Protecting our Waterways

To achieve the long-term sustainability of our aquatic ecosystems, the Florida legislature must pass "rights of nature" (RoN) laws that establish the state's rivers, streams, estuaries, and conservation areas as legal entities. RoN laws provide the same legal protection granted to individuals or corporations, allowing for litigation on behalf of these areas against polluters or habitat destruction. The idea is not new: in 2020, Orange County voters approved the first "rights of nature" law, ensuring that their water sources are "protected against Pollution and to maintain a healthy ecosystem." I believe that Lake Okeechobee, the St. Lucie River, and the Indian River Lagoon should obtain the same legal guarantees.

Inefficient Agricultural and Sanitary Practices

The water quality of the St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, and other waterways continues to falter. One significant culprit continues to be the runoff of phosphorous and nitrogen from agricultural production, such as fertilizers and farm animal waste. Without accountability for the producers of such harmful runoff, more algal blooms will continue hurting our aquatic ecosystems. On another front, farming machinery like diesel-powered tractors significantly contribute to air pollution via particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions. Finally, septic systems built before 1983 needed to be only 6 inches above the water table in Florida. However, with heavy rains (especially in low-lying areas), the water table can rise, allowing fecal matter to leach out from septic systems.

Investment in New Technologies

Florida and the agricultural industry must collaborate to redesign laws limiting agricultural runoff and pollution. I support a holistic agricultural approach that includes but is not limited to, new farming technologies, water level control systems, drainage ditches, and vegetation buffers. Florida must also incentivize the transition from gas-powered to electric-powered farm equipment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. Finally, the historic community of the Treasure Coast deserves a path to transition from outdated septic tanks to municipal sewer systems to restore our water quality.

The Dangers of Urban Sprawl

Communities across Florida face an affordability crisis as the state faces surging population growth. The need for more affordable housing and commercial development has intensified since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, it remains paramount that the Florida Wildlife Corridor (the network of natural lands across the state) remains environmentally stable as Florida continues development. Urban sprawl, the development of urban and suburban areas, leads to the loss of wildlife habitats and biodiversity. In addition, the lack of investment in public transit systems contributes to additional environmental pollution.

Conservation and Smart Growth

We must create a statewide plan for communities that integrates affordable housing, commercial development, and conservation. The taxpayer-owned public transit at the local and state levels deserves more investment, which would reduce traffic, commute times, and greenhouse emissions from cars. Overall, community leaders and officials must work to preserve the Florida Wildlife Corridor as well as agricultural and undeveloped lands.

My Goal;

As a lifelong resident of Martin County, I understand the crucial need to protect our environment and public health. With a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Master of Science focused on urban and regional development, I possess the know-how to achieve a sustainable living for Florida's working-class families and preserve Florida's precious ecosystems. We must grant legal rights to the waterways of the Treasure Coast to reign in water pollution, reform agricultural and sanitary practices, and enact smart growth policies for sustainable Florida living.

IF YOU BELIEVE THIS ISSUE DESERVES TOP-OF-MIND ATTENTION, VOTE AARON HAWKINS FOR STATE SENATE DISTRICT 31.

IF YOU AGREE WITH MY VISION FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA, PLEASE INVEST IN MY CAMPAIGN.

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Re-posted from DailyKos.com, August 10, 2024 content post.