Miami-Dade County is finalizing its budget, and the decisions made now will shape the future of Biscayne Bay, our drinking water, and our resilience to sea level rise, heavier rainfall, and increasing heat. Unfortunately, critical programs that safeguard our environment and public health are underfunded or at risk of cuts.
We need your voice to make sure county leaders prioritize and protect our environment. Here’s what’s at stake:
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Water and Sewer Upgrades: A failure to adjust water and sewer rates to meet the infrastructure threatens our ability to meet legal obligations like the ocean outfall legislation and the EPA consent decree, which mandates that Miami-Dade modernize our aging sewage infrastructure and prevent pollution from sewage spills. Without upgrades, Miami-Dade could face extra costs from fines and increased borrowing costs.
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Septic-to-Sewer Conversions: Failing septic tanks are polluting our waterways. The County must accelerate funding for conversion projects to protect communities from flooding and contamination. We have over 120,000 septic tanks that require removal.
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Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program: This program protects vital and threatened habitats that reduce flooding, keep our communities cooler, and preserve South Florida’s unique biodiversity. To operate effectively, this program requires $50 million in funding—resources that would allow Miami-Dade to purchase and manage critical lands that safeguard both people and wildlife. EEL budget should aim to meet this critical need to the maximum extent possible and ensure these natural defenses are protected for generations to come. Purchasing land now can save costs long-term.
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Habitat Monitoring and Pollution Control: Without adequate monitoring, we cannot track progress or respond quickly to threats to Biscayne Bay’s health.
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Coral Reef Restoration: Our reefs protect our coastlines from storms, support our fishing and tourism economy, and are vanishing rapidly. The County has an outstanding mitigation for the 278 acres of reef buried during the expansion of PortMiami. Investment in restoration is urgently needed.
Take Action: Urge the Mayor and County Commissioners to fully fund water infrastructure, restoration, and resilience programs in this year’s budget. Biscayne Bay—and our future—depend on it.
We’ve made it easy to get involved: you can send a letter directly to County leaders, or speak in person at the budget hearing. We’ve prepared tips, talking points, and resources to guide your comment.
📍 The budget meeting will take place at Stephen P. Clark Government Center on September 18, 2025, at 4 PM. Sign-up for public comment opens at 3 PM.
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