 Historically,
nature provided a series of checks and balances that offered
protections to our water bodies, to the wildlife in and around
them and to the shorelines. Some 150 years ago, nature dictated
the flow of water from land to the bays. Pine and palmetto
flatwoods were dotted with pockets of isolated wetlands that
sometimes connected during rainy summer months.
This diverse landscape provided
nurturing homes to wildlife. Soil and plants filtered and slowed
the movement of rainwater, which then eased into meandering
streams through the shallow groundwater table. Fresh water mixed
with salt water from the bays, creating a healthy nursery for
young fish.
Those natural patterns began to
be interrupted and altered during the early 20th century, as the
area's population grew and more development occurred.
As a result, pollution increased,
habitat was destroyed, wildlife populations declined. The
amounts of fresh water flowing into the bays was increased,
upsetting the balance of fresh and salt water required to
sustain a healthy sea life population.
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