Due to Hurricane Michael and the devastation that occurred in the panhandle, the Hands Across the State event, scheduled for October 20, has been cancelled. The leadership team felt it was more appropriate for Floridians to focus on helping the people and animals that have been affected by this catastrophe. We would like to request that anyone who is able, donates to local charities to help those in need.

The Hands Along the Water group will continue to pursue the goal of the Hands Along the State event, which is to present an open letter to elected officials and political candidates through digital delivery. We invite everyone who is interested to reach out to Florida politicians and share a letter drafted by Hands Along the Water asking them to make the following commitments:

1. Immediately work toward the implementation of the statewide stormwater rule and Best

Management Practices for water and soil protection.

2. Immediately work toward restoring funding and resources to the DEP and the five water

management districts.

3. Put the interests of your constituents at the forefront of your duties and follow the

guidelines of Amendment 1 (The Florida Water and Land Conservation Initiative) as

passed by the people of Florida by ballot in 2014.

We thank everyone for their continued support of this group. Our mission is to protect water and marine life through education and activism. Please know that we are dedicated to maintaining pressure on politicians and will not rest until substantial environmental policy changes have been made in Florida.