PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION! Please Take Action, don't just complain on Facebook about the conditions  of our Bay 

To: Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Our bay is in trouble. We need answers.  RED TIDE IS NOT THE END OF THE INVESTIGATION, IT SHOULD BE THE BEGINNING OF ASKING MORE QUESTIONS! 

The health of our bay is deteriorating rapidly. Despite the urgency of the situation, the root causes remain unidentified.

Identifying a harmful algal bloom may explain the immediate cause of some fish deaths. It does not, by itself, explain why environmental problems keep recurring or establish whether pollution is contributing to the decline.

We want a thorough, science-based investigation into the underlying causes

Potential contributing factors must be examined rather than assumed, including nutrient pollution, wastewater and septic systems, runoff, development-related impacts, sediment quality, declining water clarity, and other sources of contamination.

Florida's environmental agencies have documented concerns involving scallop abundance, seagrass, and algal blooms in St. Joseph Bay. Residents deserve a clear explanation of what is known, what remains uncertain, and what actions are being taken.

WE DEMAND ACTION
We call on Governor Ron DeSantis, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to:

1. Conduct a comprehensive environmental investigation.

2. Identify and measure potential pollution sources.

Investigate nitrogen and phosphorus inputs, wastewater discharges, septic systems, stormwater runoff, and any other plausible sources of contamination throughout the bay's watershed.

3. Review historical environmental data.

Compare water-quality measurements, scallop surveys, fish-kill reports, seagrass monitoring, and other available records to identify trends and potential relationships.

4. Make the findings public.

5. Require corrective action where problems are identified

Establish a transparent restoration plan with measurable environmental goals, deadlines, and public progress reports.

6. Establish long-term monitoring and accountability.

Residents should not have to wait for another major fish kill or another canceled scallop season to learn whether the bay is getting healthier or continuing to deteriorate.

We cannot protect what we refuse to investigate. We cannot restore what we do not understand.

We are asking for scientific answers, transparent government action, and a meaningful commitment to protecting this irreplaceable ecosystem.

It is imperative that we demand an independent investigation to uncover the truth behind the damage to St. Joe Bay. An unbiased examination conducted by an external body could bring to light critical insights and guide informed actions that genuinely serve the bay's best interests.

We propose that a task force be established, consisting of independent environmental scientists, marine biologists, and community stakeholders, who can conduct a thorough investigation free from external pressures. Additionally, results from this investigation must be made public to ensure transparency and accountability.

St. Joe Bay's health is vital not only for the preservation of local wildlife and ecosystems but also fundamentally impacts local businesses, tourism, and the community's way of life. Protecting this precious resource requires immediate, decisive action, grounded in truth and free from conflicts of interest.

We need your help to apply pressure on local and state authorities, urging them to prioritize an independent investigation into St. Joe Bay's environmental issues.

 a) PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION - THEN

b) SHARE THIS LINK WITH 10 OTHER PEOPLE  - consider also doing c,d,& e below

c) SUBMIT A PERSONAL MESSAGE TO DESANTIS: ******see below for a letter you can send

Email: GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com                                                                                                                                                                                                            Phone: 850-717-9337
Mailing address: Governor Ron DeSantis Office of the Governor The Capitol 400 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001           website:   https://www.flgov.com/eog/leadership/people/ron-desantis/contact

d) FILE REPORT WITH EPA: https://echo.epa.gov/report-environmental-violations?utm_source=chatgpt.com

e) File a pollution complaint with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Northwest DistrictPanama City office: 850-872-4375
Address: 2353 Jenks Avenue, Panama City, FL 32405

******A letter you can send to the Governor below

Subject: Request for an Independent Investigation into Recurring Fish Kills and Water Quality in St. Joseph Bay, Gulf County, Florida

Dear Governor DeSantis,

I am writing as a concerned resident of Gulf County to request your immediate intervention regarding the deteriorating environmental conditions in St. Joseph Bay.

Our bay is experiencing recurring fish kills, and residents are deeply concerned about the condition of our water. We need more than periodic reports about algae blooms. We need a comprehensive investigation into the causes of these recurring events and the overall health of our bay.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's October 23, 2026, red tide report documented bloom concentrations exceeding 100,000 cells per liter in two samples from Northwest Florida, including St. Joseph Bay in Gulf County. The agency also reported fish kills suspected to be associated with red tide in the area.  MyFWC

While red tide may explain some of the fish deaths, residents deserve a thorough examination of all potential contributing factors, including nutrient pollution, stormwater runoff, wastewater discharges, other contaminants, and cumulative impacts on the bay's ecosystem.

I respectfully request that your administration:

1.      Initiate a comprehensive investigation into the recurring fish kills and declining water quality in St. Joseph Bay.

2.      Coordinate an interagency investigation involving the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and appropriate federal environmental authorities, as well as  a task force consisting of independent environmental scientists, marine biologists, and community stakeholders, who can conduct a thorough investigation free from external pressures.

3.      Conduct expanded water and sediment testing to identify potential pollutants, their sources, and their concentrations.

4.      Review existing water-quality monitoring data and previous fish-kill events to determine whether there are recurring patterns or unresolved environmental problems.

5.      Make the findings available to the public, including laboratory results, identified pollution sources, and recommendations for corrective action.

6.      Establish an ongoing monitoring and response plan to protect the bay, its wildlife, local fisheries, and the residents and visitors who depend on this waterway.

St. Joseph Bay is an irreplaceable natural resource and an essential part of our community's environmental and economic well-being. Residents should not have to repeatedly witness fish dying without receiving clear answers about the causes and the steps being taken to prevent further damage.

I request written confirmation that this concern has been referred to the appropriate agencies and that an investigation will be considered.

Thank you for your attention to this serious matter.

Respectfully,

YOUR NAME