Water Wars

About the Book

Retired Green Beret Steve Monsees stood before the Governing Board. He represented neighbors and neighborhoods that believed their lakes were diminished or destroyed because cheap water was needed to fuel growth. He was nervous. They had all the power. He was angry. They refused to use their power to protect the environment. When he spoke, his voice cracked, his hands shook, but he was determined that they would hear him, really hear him, and that things would change.

Water wars are being fought in communities around the United States and world. Driven by drought, economics, and the ongoing pressure of growth, the battle for control and protection of water resources will be with us forever.

This is the story of a dispute over public water supply development and use in west central Florida. It’s about politics and policy development, but it’s also about people. After years of bitter dispute, the local governments and the regional regulator sought a means to move beyond conflict to collaboration.

The story describes what people said and did, how policy was made, and what happens to the people who are trying to make it work.

About the Author

Honey Rand has a Ph.D. in communication from the University of South Florida. She is an adjunct professor at the University of South Florida where she occasionally teaches in Environmental Science and Policy, Mass Media, Communications and Continuing Education departments. She was formerly communications coordinator for Mote Marine Laboratory, a marine and environmental research and education center in Sarasota, and was the director of public communication for the Southwest Florida Water Management District, 1993–1998, a period which included what is known as the “water wars.” She is the President of the Environmental PR Group, a firm specializing in water and related environmental matters. Ms. Rand is a native Floridian.