SaveOurBay.net is an initiative focused on protecting the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary in northwest Florida. Founded by Florida Special District Commissioner Doug Liles, the project addresses environmental concerns such as chemical accumulation in fish populations and the impact of stormwater runoff on water quality.
Key Objectives:
Monitoring Water Quality: Deploying sensors to measure turbidity, contaminants like E. coli, algae, and nitrogen levels across 24 major stakeholder areas around the bay.
Community Engagement: Organizing stakeholders—including county governments, state agencies, conservation groups, and individual citizens—through Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) using blockchain technology to foster voluntary participation and collaboration.
Mitigation Efforts: Implementing data-informed stormwater management practices to reduce pollution and protect the bay's ecosystems.
Community Involvement:
The initiative encourages local residents to participate in conservation efforts, emphasizing the importance of clean water for both human health and marine life. Personal testimonials highlight concerns about water quality and its effects on the community.
Recent Activities:
Media Engagement: Doug Liles appeared on Panhandle Outdoors TV on May 28, 2024, to discuss the bay's condition and associated health risks.
Educational Outreach: Presentations at seminars, such as the Florida Association of Special Districts, focus on stormwater management, satellite data, and artificial intelligence applications in conservation.
Challenges Addressed:
Stormwater Management: Addressing issues related to unregulated stormwater runoff contributing to erosion, algal blooms, and pollution, which threaten ecosystems and public health.
Chemical Contaminants: Investigating the presence of harmful chemicals, including PFAS, in fish populations and their potential impact on human health.
Exploratory Data Analysis:
The initiative emphasizes the importance of data collection through sensor deployment and monitoring programs. This data is intended to inform water management systems, local government regulations, and conservation efforts.
In summary, SaveOurBay.net is a community-driven effort dedicated to preserving the Choctawhatchee Bay Estuary through monitoring, stakeholder collaboration, and proactive environmental management.
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