In the Public Interest

This book tells the story of the Tampa Bay Water Wars including the people involved; lawyers and politicians; volunteers and activists; technicians and media. Each believed they served the public interest. But, which public? Whose interest? Failed water policy caused harm to tens of thousands of acres of wetlands and lakes. It reduced the value of homes located near the massive water wellfields that served Tampa Bay. Pumped harder during a severe and lengthy drought, the damage multiplied. Some blamed drought. Others blamed pumping. Stuck in a policy impasse, the conflict went to court and the court of public opinion. Beyond the transformation and turmoil at the time, the book shows how some 25 years later, battles persist, but only occasionally spilling into the public. Even though the actors have changed, the personalities are not that different. The people are different, as are the issues, but conflict persists. Changes in media have likewise changed engagement in public policy and access to information. There are books about water wars from the US and around the world. Many address the legal, technical, and political issues. This book provides an insiders view, with specific impacts to people and the environment including what was done to move beyond the war and what that looks like today.