Letter sent to state senate and congress
To the editor:
I am a local businessman, and I perform the service of paddle craft rentals, sales, and guide service. We managed to survive lost revenues over the years from hurricanes, oil spills and now the dumping of Lake O.
I volunteered with FWC Marine Research in Pine Island Sound and Charlotte Harbor during and after Hurricane Charley. I saw the damages done to the fish, bird and plant communities here. It took years to recover.
I worried when the oil spill happened and sat idol because people would not visit here thinking we were affected by the spill. Now we face another attack on our environment and economy.
As I am sure you are aware, the dumping of Lake O into the river and eventually into our estuaries can and is causing extensive damage to the ecosystem. This will take years to recover. On the same note our economy is tied directly to our ecosystem. People come from all over the world to experience, interact, and research one of the most diversified ecosystems in the world.
We cannot afford continued releases like this.
John Paeno
Calusa Ghost Tours