As South Florida editor Mike Vogel writes, Florida has plenty of water. Even though demand is expected to increase 17% over the next 20 years, the state won’t lack for water through at least 2035.
Florida’s problem with water isn’t supply. It’s where the water is, how it’s used, where it drains and how it is priced.
The state says the environment’s water needs are safeguarded a number of ways. But environmental advocates say natural systems are suffering, resulting in algal blooms, feeble springs and damaged estuaries.
Supplying Floridians and safeguarding the environment, water management districts say, will require a combination of traditional and alternative water sources (such as recycling), conservation and implementation of projects identified in regional water supply plans.
Mike’s water report begins here or on page 66 of the magazine. There's also an accompanying piece by Jason Garcia that looks at how a cheap source of fertilizer — “sludge” — may be suffocating Blue Cypress Lake.
As you have seen from our cover, the Floridian of the Year is the Brightline passenger rail. The sleek train is already operating between Miami and West Palm Beach and has started construction on a leg to Orlando. A link from Orlando to Tampa may not be far behind, and rail executives are talking to Treasure Coast communities about adding stations there.
Fortress Investment, which owns Brightline, also has been developing real estate around its stations with apartments and office towers.
Also as part of our news makers section in the Floridian of the Year package, we remember the 17 students and staff who were killed in the Parkland school mass shooting. We also take a look at the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael in Northwest Florida.
As I have done over the past few years in this issue, I’d like to honor the Floridians who have died serving our nation during the past year. Air Force Master Sgt. William Posch, 36, of Indialantic, and Staff Sgt. Carl Enis, 31, of Tallahassee both died March 15 when their HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter crashed in western Iraq near the town of al-Qa’im in Anbar province. Our condolences go out to their families.
This month’s Economic Backbone report looks at hospital developments around the state.
Find out what Florida Hospital is up to with its under-wraps Project Fulcrum, which of the state’s hospitals rank as five-star performers, what Hugh Greene, who’s leaving Baptist Health of Northeast Florida, has to say about the state of health care, the effects of medical tourism, how simulation is making treatment safer and much more.
Our Business Florida publication is hot off the press. The annual issue, which we publish in conjunction with Enterprise Florida, is distributed mostly out of state. Its 88 pages include Florida’s top assets, a map of the state, a recap of the many business resources available here, research efforts around the state, points of contact and a look at regional strengths. Please email me if you’d like your own copy.
The Golden Spoon Awards are also in this issue. This year’s Hall of Fame list includes three new entrants, and the Golden Spoons list itself welcomes 20 new award winners. For the complete list — and to read about some promising newcomers — click here, or turn to page 80 in the magazine.
— Andy Corty, Publisher
[acorty@floridatrend.com]
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