Elevating Tamiami Trail, by gimleteye

The Miami Herald editorial board got today's opinion on the environment right-- criticizing the Corps for a plan to build a bridge that is clearly--according to scientists and policy makers--the wrong choice for the Everglades and water supply to protect people and downstream natural resources that are at the point of collapse.

On the environment, it is critical that the Herald editorial board deliver editorials in a timely way. That capacity was a hallmark of the paper for decades, since Marjory Stoneman Douglas, and withered as the Herald publishers cut staff and spread too many issues across too few writers.

But today's editorial, got it right: the editorial is delivered in time to add to the chorus-- including the business community-- that want the elevation of Tamiami Trail to be done properly.

If the Herald editorial board really wanted to, it would consider how the compromises involved in restoration of the Everglades puts the entire matter of reform of the US Army Corps of Engineers into focus. The Everglades should be exhibit 1.

What the Herald editorial board should spend time considering, is how state regulation and condemnation authority might have been used to support the legitimate right of government and people it purportedly represents to clean and affordable fresh water.

But this would mean, inevitably, irritating the development lobby, the Growth Machine, including rock miners in West Dade.

Here is another topic for the Herald editorial board and writers: that the rock miners must pay all the costs, including operating expenses, for the new water treatment plant we need, because what it has done to put our drinking water at risk.

How much will the new treatment plant cost? When will it be built? And who, exactly, is protecting the industry?


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