It is important to let key people (politicians, agency heads, etc.) know how you feel about our canals getting filled-in.  Your opinion does matter!  Your opinion can make a difference!  Below are the names and addresses of key individuals to write to.  Under that is a sample letter you can use to help you get started.  Use the information found throughout this web site (check out "Canal Facts") to personalize your own letter.  Form letters are not as effective.  LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD TODAY!

Governor Charlie Crist                                   Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart
PL 05 The Capitol                                            313 Cannon House Office Bldg.
400 S. Monroe Street                                      Washington, DC  20515
Tallahassee, Florida  32399-0001

Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart              US Senator James M. Inhofe
8525 N.W. 53 Ter.                                              453 Russell Senate Office Bldg.
Miami, FL  33166                                               Washington, DC  20510-3603

Colonel James G. May                                    Henry Dean
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers                     SFWMD
400 W. Bay Street                                             3301 Gun Club Road
Jacksonville, FL  32202                                  West Palm Beach, FL  33416

SAMPLE LETTER

November 27, 2002

Dear Governor Crist,

I am writing to you because I am concerned about the future of one of my favorite fishing areas.  A project under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) called Decompartmentalization and Sheetflow Enhancement of WCA-3 (Decomp) has suggested filling-in many of the canals in the Everglades to restore sheetflow to the area.  These canals provide deep water refugia for fish during droughts and are an important recreational fishery. I believe a viable alternative to filling-in the canals is to remove the levees (you could even use the material to make tree islands), plug the ends of the canals so they don't flow, and sheetflow overtop of the canals.

I support Everglades restoration and am glad that this treasure is finally getting the attention it deserves.  I also love to fish this area and want my kids and grandkids to be able to do the same.  If the canals get filled in, freshwater fishing opportunities in South Florida will be greatly reduced.  I'm sure there will also be a negative impact on the businesses that rely on sport fishing .  There is no reason we shouldn't be able to keep the canals and have sheetflow.  With your help, all of our goals can be accomplished. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.  Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Pat Angler