Turn water district green

Palm Beach Post Editorial
February 03, 2007

Gov. Crist has yet another place to let his new broom sweep clean: the South Florida Water Management District Board.

For nearly a decade, the board has been without advocates for the environment. This board oversees management of Lake Okeechobee and restoration of the Everglades and the Kissimmee River . Under Gov. Bush, lake cleanup was not a priority until last year. Everglades restoration suffered as Gov. Bush sacrificed true partnership with the federal government. He also bowed to pressure from the sugar industry to allow polluted water to be pumped into the Everglades until 2016, 10 years longer than the previous deadline. The district demoted, transferred and cut the pay of a scientist directing Kissimmee River restoration, which finally seems to be back on track.

The district has been on the wrong side of water-quality issues, too often abetted by the Department of Environmental Protection. A tough board conscious of environmental issues should make the district a leader on all these matters.

Gov. Crist already has revoked one Bush appointment, Miya Burt-Stewart, who was among hundreds of unconfirmed Bush choices the new governor rescinded a few weeks ago. The terms of three other board members - Kevin McCarty, Irela Bagué and Alice Carlson - also end in March, making way for some changes that could positively affect water district operations.

Kevin McCarty reportedly wants to remain on the board, and he has the political connections that could keep him there. Mr. McCarty is married to Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty, whose brother, Brian Ballard, was Gov. Crist's biggest fund-raiser. Here's a perfect opportunity for Gov. Crist to show his independence again, not only from former Gov. Bush's administration but from all political cronyism.

Ms. Bagué, a former Audubon employee, falls short as an environmental advocate, and Ms. Carlson also should be replaced.

The board needs a strong voice and leaders who will stand up to board member Mike Collins, whose dictatorial approach and penchant for denigrating those who disagree with him allow him to bully other members. The sugar industry and agriculture, engineers and business interests are represented on the board. But that doesn't amount to balance. Gov. Crist can add the environmental leaders the board needs, and he should do it.

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