Ex-governor, scientist, attorney look at springs’ future

A former governor, a scientist and an attorney who represents big water users managed to agree on a few things about protection of Florida springs at an environmental law conference Friday — for one, they agreed that water will be a much more valuable commodity in the future.

Overall, the future of Florida water as presented by former Gov. Kenneth H. “Buddy” MacKay, Robert Knight of the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute and attorney Wayne Flowers is full of competing interests, water grabs and bleak choices.

“Our ability to deal with this issue would mark a turning point in Florida politics,” said MacKay. “Everybody sees the end in sight. There is a big run on consumptive-use permits. People are trying to get a vested right (to water). I think it’s an outrage.”

The discussion was titled “Thirsty Agriculture, Thirsty Springs: Who Gets to Drink from the CUP?” and was part of the 20th annual Public Interest Environmental Conference at the University of Florida College of Law Friday [Feb. 21st].