There is overwhelming scientific evidence that the Rodman Dam is an environmental catastrophe causing long-term decline to many fish species. The economic costs of preserving an aging dam instead of the longest river in Florida (St. Johns) and its longest tributary (Ocklawaha) are staggering.

Despite these facts — and the bipartisan support of our elected leaders in the Florida Legislature — Sen. Thomas Leek swayed Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto $6.25 million in funding that would have begun the flow of 150 million gallons of additional freshwater to the St. Johns River…