Noah Valenstein highlights ‘huge issue’ of sea level rise during Florida Taxwatch talk

Valenstein spoke on water issues alongside Chief Science Officer Tom Frazer and Everglades Foundation CEO Erik Eikenberg.

Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein highlighted the importance of addressing sea level rise during a panel discussion at the Florida TaxWatch 40th annual meeting.

Valenstein was joined on stage by Chief Science Officer Tom Frazer and Everglades Foundation CEO Erik Eikenberg to discuss water issues in the state.

“Sea level rise is a huge, huge issue,” Valenstein said.

“Public health issues and major disrupters are the things we don’t want to see as an agency.”

He noted that in Southeast Florida, the issue of sea level rise is viewed as a potential major disrupter.

And it’s more than just an environmental or public safety issue. Valenstein said the state’s handling of the problem is coming up in discussions with bond rating agencies.

Those agencies don’t expect Florida to stop off the issue alone. “Sea level rise is not going to be eliminated,” Valenstein conceded. But the Secretary said those agencies want to see the state attempting to address the problem.