On Monday, the Northeast Florida Rivers, Springs, and Community Investment Act was filed to restore the natural flow of the Ocklawaha River, Silver and St. Johns Rivers, which provide essential habitat for the Florida manatee and many other iconic Florida species. Katherine Sayler, Southeast Representative with Defenders of Wildlife, released the following statement:
“It’s a new year with some good news for Florida. If passed, this act will give Florida manatees unparalleled access to forage in previously drowned springs, which have been smothered for nearly 60 years. Once again, manatees will be able to move freely between these three rivers and the surrounding springs.
“We extend our gratitude to Sen. Jason Brodeur and Rep. Wyman Duggan, who in crafting this bill have carefully considered the benefits of outdoor recreation, economic opportunities, community access, and the benefits to wildlife.”
For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.
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