Letter: Attacks on science are a threat our water

A systematic pattern of undermining science occurring at the federal level is playing out in our community, impacting local constituents' health and safety, the quality of our drinking water, the quality of our lakes and the estuaries where we have seen red blooms as well as green algae epidemics.

There is a critical need for oversight of science in key federal agencies. Sidelining science, EPA leaders continuing to stack science advisory groups, hollowing out agency positions for monitoring and enforcement, rolling back pesticide regulations and stifling the ability of scientists to communicate are having very real negative impacts here in Polk County.

Vulnerable communities who face disproportionate burdens of health and environmental injustices are becoming even more unsafe as already insufficient protections are rolled back. This was evident by the study conducted on Landia. 

The attacks on science, and accountability of agencies serving the public, are a bipartisan issue, affecting everyone. The agencies need to ensure the rules are implemented that protect our community’s health from toxic pesticides in our water.

Rep. Darren Soto, a champion of environmental issues, should hold EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler accountable to protecting our community’s precious waters.

Deepthi K. Weerasinghe Ph.D., Winter Haven