North Florida Congresswoman Gwen Graham is making the Apalachicola Bay one of her priorities. Graham was a guest on WFSU’s Perspectives program Thursday.
Graham is the sponsor of the Apalachicola Bay Restoration Act, which she unveiled during a recent visit to the Bay. She says the legislation will give the Army Core of Engineers more ability to regulate the water downstream in sustainable ways. The point is to improve water flow and quality for sea life like oysters, which are an important industry for the area.
“Couple days ago I did a workday on the Apalachicola Bay working with oystermen and women who are currently re-shelling the bay,” Graham said. “And did that, started at 6:00 a.m. and did that all morning and then in the afternoon actually went out and did some tonging for oysters.”
Twenty members of Florida’s congressional delegation are backing Graham’s bill supporting her decision to clean up the water. The congresswoman says she’s focusing on building relationships with fellow lawmakers and North Florida citizens to try to restore the river.