Just a continuation of St. Petersburg and Sarasota 

Growth has altered our way of life. Our Gulf Coast was originally settled by fishermen. They were the only ones that could feed themselves. We had few roads, and they were dirt. Boats were the main form of transportation on water, horse and wagon on land. Mosquitos and flying jaws (sand gnats) terrorized humans. Life was not easy and health care was nonexistent. It was a hard, challenging lifestyle.

The good news is, since man had not dredged and developed everything near the water, we had an amazing fishery. With cotton nets that required daily drying and treating they still caught plenty of fish. I have seen dramatic changes in fish stocks but the stories I heard about the old times shared an even bigger impact from man’s development. If you read or hear stories from even older families, it’s difficult to imagine how abundant fish and shellfish were when modern man discovered the Gulf Coast.

Native Americans thrived on our abundant natural food sources here. I understand development will continue to take a toll on our natural habitats and animal populations.

Water quality will continue to limit recovery of natural habitats. Drinking water will be the limiting factor on Florida’s future developments. Our leaders are aware of this challenge but continue to build and bring in more people. Sarasota County is looking to add 7,000 more homes in Wellen Park. Our environment is being abused by people unfamiliar with carrying capacities and habitat requirements of plants and animals. Our leaders are motivated to promote growth.

Look at our cities now; skyscrapers have sprouted up at alarming paces. Condos and Mc Mansions cover our cities’ coastlines. Blacktop roads and highways cover a significant portion of our woods and natural habitats. The intense traffic has affected our air quality and weather patterns. Locally our home construction is beyond our infrastructure and roads. Our ancestors must be rolling over in their graves with disappointment.

Our local quality of life is not bad; BUT it’s sure not anything like I moved here to enjoy it back in the early eighties. Hundreds of thousands of new residents and growth have crowded our piece of paradise. Do we really want to be just a continuation of St. Petersburg and Sarasota?  From Venice north through Pinellas County, it’s pavement, buildings, and people.

We have depleted our aquifers and the drop in flow from our natural springs clearly proves this. Since we are diverting most rain runoff to our waterways it doesn’t seep down into our aquifer reserves. Water management managers are aware of and exploring expensive options to meet future demands.

Our Peace River water supply depends on rain upstream. Bad droughts could restrict our ability to replenish our reservoirs. Our leaders are aware of the challenges, but development and growth pay the bills.

Capt. Van Hubbard’s column Hook, Line and Sinker began in the Boca Beacon in 1988. He lives in Placida. Email him ideas and comments at captvanhubbard@gmail.com