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Environmentalists Protest New South Florida Water District Leader

The Everglades. Photo: National Parks Service
The Everglades. Photo: National Parks Service

Environmentalists are protesting the appointment of a new executive director to the South Florida Water Management District.

They say Pete Antonacci's appointment is another example of growing state influence in Florida's five water districts.

Antonacci had been Gov. Rick Scott's general counsel. He lacks a background in science.

Charles Lee of Audubon of Florida says Antonacci is an advocate of the environment. But Lee says water management decisions should be guided by local scientists rather than state leaders.

He says for Floridians "it translates into botched decisions that may mean their house will flood. It translates into decisions that may mean a piece of cherished conservation land the district bought to preserve 10 years ago is now put on the auction block."

The governor says Antonacci’s appointment was the water district’s decision.

The South Florida Water Management District is the largest of the state's five water districts. It's territory includes Osceola and Orange counties.

The water district manages the region's waterways, provides flood control and oversees Everglades restoration.

 

Amy Green covered the environment for WMFE until 2023. Her work included the 2020 podcast DRAINED.