To the Editor:
The Daily Sun ran an article on Oct. 15.about how the Fish and Wildlife Service will be possibly placing manatees back on the endangered species list. The article states that the die-off of these manatees is human caused, and fertilizer and leaky septic tanks are the number one causes. Yes, we may love our green lawns and pristine golf courses, but as we keep building, the chemicals we pour into the ground will be increasing exponentially. We need to force our government leaders to address these issues, requiring more organic, non-toxic treatment of our lawns. We may need to alter our ideas of what good landsc aping is, possibly considering alternatives to grass. We should be requiring more stringent environmental impact reviews before approving the building of residences and businesses; we should be requiring inspections of septic systems of certain ages or with identifiable issues.
We have an opportunity to take the lead in showing the nation how to address these ecological issues. Do we really want to wait for federal government mandates?
Phone and write your representatives to tell them that we cannot wait to address these issues of saving our natural wonders here in Florida. Or we face the future of disappearing wildlife, and manatees existing only in our viewing tanks.
Philip Sutton
Village of Belle Aire
