2025-09-19T14:20:53-04:00 2024-12-31 943458074 GUTIERREZ MADARIAGA CPA PA 2525 PONCE DE LEON BLVD SUITE 300 CORAL GABLES FL 33134 990 2024-01-01 273627697 BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER INC BISC 3059050856 220 MIRACLE MILE STE 229B CORAL GABLES FL 33134 RACHEL SILVERSTEIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFI 3059050856 2025-09-11 true true JOHN-PAUL MADARIAGA P01396578 3057781899 2025-09-19 X 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z MIAMI WATERKEEPER RACHEL SILVERSTEIN 2121 PONCE DE LEON BLVD 230 CORAL GABLES FL 33134 4265462 false X HTTPS://WWW.MIAMIWATERKEEPER.ORG/ X 2010 FL IN 2024, BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER (D/B/A MIAMI WATERKEEPER) BUILT ON OUR REPUTATION BY NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONTINUING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING OUR PRECIOUS WATERWAYS AND FINDING LOCAL RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES. WE UPDATED OUR MISSION AND VISION TO BETTER REFLECT THE WORK WE DO AND THOSE WE SERVE. THE MISSION OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER IS NOW TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A VISION FOR A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. SINCE 2010, MIAMI WATERKEEPER HAS DEFENDED THE RIGHT TO USE AND ENJOY CLEAN WATER. WE ARE RECOGNIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND A LEADING VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR BISCAYNE BAY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. OUR WORK IS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE WE EMPLOY A MULTI- FACETED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIEN 12 12 39 2568 0 3725795 4171596 39317 40548 4620 53318 0 3769732 4265462 0 0 1345759 2326929 0 793809 1185791 1369951 2531550 3696880 1238182 568582 2606886 3928452 190413 943603 2416473 2984849 X IN 2024, BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER (D/B/A MIAMI WATERKEEPER) BUILT ON OUR REPUTATION BY NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONTINUING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING OUR PRECIOUS WATERWAYS AND FINDING LOCAL RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES. WE UPDATED OUR MISSION AND VISION TO BETTER REFLECT THE WORK WE DO AND THOSE WE SERVE. THE MISSION OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER IS NOW TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A VISION FOR A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. SINCE 2010, MIAMI WATERKEEPER HAS DEFENDED THE RIGHT TO USE AND ENJOY CLEAN WATER. WE ARE RECOGNIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND A LEADING VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR BISCAYNE BAY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. OUR WORK IS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE WE EMPLOY A MULTI- FACETED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIEN false false 2591415 CLEAN WATER IS WHAT MAKES MIAMI, MIAMI. BISCAYNE BAY IS A VITAL PART OF MIAMI-DADE'S ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY. STRETCHING FROM HAULOVER INLET TO KEY LARGO, ITS SHALLOW WATERS PROVIDE CRITICAL HABITAT FOR SEAGRASS AND MARINE LIFE, INCLUDING IMPORTANT RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES. THE BAY FORMS PART OF THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY AND IS PROTECTED THROUGH BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK AND THE BISCAYNE BAY AQUATIC PRESERVES, HIGHLIGHTING ITS ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE. BEYOND ITS NATURAL VALUE, BISCAYNE BAY PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY. A 2023 STUDY FOUND THAT IT CONTRIBUTES 64 BILLION ANNUALLY, SUPPORTING TOURISM, RECREATION, AND BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON CLEAN WATER (HAZEN AND SAWYER, "BISCAYNE BAY ECONOMIC STUDY UPDATE," SEPT. 15, 2023). HOWEVER, INCREASING POLLUTION, HABITAT LOSS, AND SEA LEVEL RISE THREATS PUT THE BAY AND ITS FISHERIES AT RISK. AT MIAMI WATERKEEPER, WE ENVISION A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. TO ACHIEVE THIS VISION, WE WORK TOWARD OUR MISSION OF PROTECTING SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. FOCUSING ON CLEAN WATER, HABITAT PROTECTION, AND SEA LEVEL RISE RESILIENCE, WE IMPLEMENT A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIENCE AND RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, AND EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. FROM WETLANDS TO REEFS, COURTROOMS TO CLASSROOMS, WE'RE PROTECTING THE WATER AND WHAT MAKES SOUTH FLORIDA UNIQUE. SCIENCE OUR WORK ALWAYS STARTS WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION ROOTED IN SCIENCE. WE ANALYZE EXISTING RESEARCH AND LEAD LARGE-SCALE, COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS TO FILL IN KNOWLEDGE GAPS. WATER QUALITY MONITORING: EVERY WEEK, OUR TEAM OF DEDICATED WATER QUALITY TECHNICIANS TEST OVER 25 POPULAR WATERFRONT SITES THROUGHOUT MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD COUNTIES. ALONG WITH CHECKING BACTERIA LEVELS, WE MEASURE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS LIKE TEMPERATURE, SALINITY AND TURBIDITY. WE REPORT ALL OUR FINDINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, OUR WEBSITE AND THE EASY-TO-USE SWIM GUIDE APP. THIS HELPS YOU KNOW WHETHER YOUR FAVORITE BEACHES AND WATERWAYS ARE SAFE TO ENJOY. COMMUNITY POLLUTION REPORT LEADS TO REDUCTION OF CHEMICAL SPRAYING IN OUR WATERWAYS: THANKS TO A COMMUNITY POLLUTION REPORT, WHICH WE COLLECTED THROUGH OUR 1,000 EYES ON THE WATER PROGRAM (DESCRIBED BELOW), WE BECAME AWARE OF THE COUNTY'S LONG-STANDING PRACTICE OF SPRAYING WATERWAYS WITH HERBICIDES TO CONTROL THE ALGAE GROWTH FUELED BY SEPTIC TANKS, STORMWATER, AND FERTILIZER RUNOFF. THIS TYPE OF CHEMICAL CONTROL KEEPS THE ALGAE IN THE WATER AND ADDS THE CHEMICALS ON TOP OF IT, LEADING TO EVEN WORSE WATER QUALITY - BOTH IN OUR CANALS AND BISCAYNE BAY. FOR YEARS, WE WORKED WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO END CANAL SPRAYING AND SWITCH TO MECHANICAL HARVESTING. IN JANUARY 2024, WITH THE SUPPORT OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY MAYOR DANIELLA LEVINE CAVA, THE COUNTY FINALLY MADE THE SWITCH IN 80% OF THEIR CANALS. WE'RE THRILLED WITH THIS OUTCOME AND WILL CONTINUE WORKING TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR COMMUNITY'S CANAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. ADVOCACY BACKED BY SCIENCE, WE DEVELOP POLICY SOLUTIONS THAT SOLVE PROBLEMS FACING OUR COMMUNITY. WE TAKE A GRASSROOTS-TO-GRASSTOPS APPROACH, ENGAGING THE PUBLIC WHILE WORKING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THE GOVERNMENT. OUR POLICY TAKES THREE PRIMARY FORMS: LEGISLATION, LITIGATION, AND ADVOCACY. PROTECTING WILDLIFE: NASSAU GROUPER POPULATIONS HAVE BEEN DWINDLING FOR DECADES DUE TO COASTAL DEVELOPMENT, POLLUTION, AND RISING OCEAN TEMPERATURES. SPECIES WITH FEDERALLY PROTECTED HABITATS ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO RECOVER, BUT THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS) HAD FAILED TO MEET DEADLINES TO DESIGNATE CRITICAL HABITAT FOR THIS THREATENED SPECIES. IN 2020, WE JOINED THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND WILDEARTH GUARDIANS IN A LAWSUIT TO HOLD THE NMFS ACCOUNTABLE. THIS WAS STRATEGIC, AS THE NASSAU GROUPER IS A KEYSTONE SPECIES WHOSE PRESENCE IS LINKED TO HEALTHY REEF ECOSYSTEMS. AS A RESULT OF THIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT, ON JANUARY 2, 2024, NMFS PROTECTED MORE THAN 900 SQUARE MILES IN THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC, WHERE THE NASSAU GROUPER AND OTHER MARINE LIFE CAN FLOURISH. SUCH DESIGNATION IDENTIFIES THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS FOR THE SPECIES AND PREVENTS ACTIVITIES WITH ADVERSE MODIFICATIONS AND DESTRUCTION IN THE GROUPER'S ESSENTIAL HABITAT. PIVOTING TO NATURE-BASED RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS FOR MIAMI'S FUTURE: WORSENING HURRICANES POSE AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO MIAMI'S COASTAL COMMUNITIES. WE MUST ADAPT, BUT HOW WE DO SO WILL GREATLY AFFECT THE QUALITY OF OUR LIVES. IN 2020, THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SHARED THE RESULTS OF THEIR BACK BAY COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY (AKA THE "BACK BAY STUDY"), WHICH AIMED TO PROTECT MIAMI-DADE FROM STORM SURGE - A MILES-LONG, MASSIVE WALL AT THE SHORES OF BISCAYNE BAY. THIS PROJECT WOULD HAVE EXACERBATED FLOODING FROM RISING SEAS AND INCREASED RAINFALL, WORSENED WATER QUALITY, AND LEFT SOME COMMUNITIES COMPLETELY UNPROTECTED FROM RISKS. ALONGSIDE PARTNERS, WE RALLIED TO SEND THE CORPS BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD. WE FORMED A COALITION OF ADVOCATES TO EXAMINE THEIR PROGRESS IN DETAIL AND TRANSLATED TECHNICAL JARGON INTO ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENGAGE IN THE PROJECT'S RE-DESIGN. RATHER THAN UGLY GRAY WALLS THAT DIVIDE COMMUNITIES AND HARM BISCAYNE BAY, WE ADVOCATED FOR NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT STORM SURGE. WE WORKED TO ENSURE THE PLAN ADDRESSED THE NEEDS OF ALL COMMUNITIES, ADVOCATING FOR INVESTMENTS IN FLOOD PROTECTION AND RESILIENCE WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED MOST. AS A RESULT, THE CORPS HAS PIVOTED ON THIS 6 BILLION PROJECT AND IS NOW WORKING TO INCORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS. AS OF AUGUST 2024, THE CORPS HAS AUTHORIZED 180 MILLION FOR NATURE-BASED PILOT STUDIES LIKE CORAL REEF RESTORATION. WE ARE WORKING TO GET AN APPROPRIATION TO FUND THIS PROJECT. WHILE THIS PROJECT IS STILL EARLY IN ITS DESIGN PHASE, WE AND OUR ALLIES - EVERGLADES LAW CENTER, EVERGLADES FOUNDATION, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND, NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, AND TROPICAL AUDUBON SOCIETY - LOOK FORWARD TO EVEN MORE SUCCESS IN FINDING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO STORM SURGE AND FLOODING RISKS. SECURING AN ORDINANCE TO PROTECT AGAINST MUNICIPAL STORMWATER POLLUTION: ROADS, SIDEWALKS, PARKING LOTS ALL PREVENT WATER FROM SOAKING INTO THE GROUND. THIS LEADS TO INCREASED STORMWATER RUNOFF, WHICH CARRIES POLLUTANTS INTO OUR WATERWAYS AND EXACERBATES FLOODING. AFTER MONTHS OF ADVOCATING ALONGSIDE THE COMMUNITY - AND ARMED WITH DATA FROM AN AUDIT WE COMPLETED OF MUNICIPAL STORMWATER PERMIT COMPLIANCE THROUGHOUT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY - WE SUCCESSFULLY COMPELLED THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO PASS NEW RULES. THESE CHANGES WILL REDUCE HARD SURFACES AND INCREASE GREEN SPACES, SWALES, AND RAIN GARDENS, TO KEEP STORMWATER WHERE IT BELONGS - SOAKING INTO THE GROUND. IMPORTANTLY, THEY INCLUDED THE KEY TERM "GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE" TO SIGNAL THAT THE ORDINANCE AIMS TO RETURN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT TO MORE NATURAL METHODS, LIKE GREEN SPACES AND PERVIOUS MATERIALS. THIS IS A KEY STEP TO REDUCE FLOODING THAT DISRUPTS OUR DAILY LIVES. ADDRESSING INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER POLLUTION: ALONG WITH FERTILIZER, OIL, AND HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS, INDUSTRIAL WASTE IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO STORMWATER POLLUTION. IN 2023, MIAMI WATERKEEPER LEARNED OF AN INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY IN OPA-LOCKA VIOLATING ITS DISCHARGE PERMITS. TO SAFEGUARD THE COMMUNITY'S WATER QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH, WE PARTNERED WITH EVERGLADES LAW'S CENTER, THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CLINIC, AND THE SUPER LAW GROUP TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION UNDER THE CLEAN WATER ACT. IN 2024, WE SUCCESSFULLY REACHED A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT THAT WILL BRING THIS PROPERTY INTO COMPLIANCE, REDUCE POLLUTED RUNOFF, AND FUND A LOCAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS. PROTECTING FLORIDA'S WETLANDS: FLORIDA'S ONCE-PRISTINE WETLANDS, HOME TO THOUSANDS OF SPECIES, ARE BEING RAPIDLY CONSUMED BY DEVELOPMENT. DESPITE LIMITED RESOURCES, THE STATE OF FLORIDA WAS GIVEN THE REINS OF THE PERMITTING PROGRAM TO DREDGE AND FILL WETLANDS BY THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. THAT'S WHY WE JOINED EARTHJUSTICE AND OTHER PLAINTIFFS IN A LEGAL ACTION TO CHALLENGE THIS ROLLBACK AND REINSTATE FEDERAL OVERSIGHT OF WETLAND PROTECTION. IN FEBRUARY 2024, WE WON IN FEDERAL COURT. THIS CASE SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE TO OTHER STATES CONSIDERING THEIR OWN TAKEOVER OF THIS PERMITTING PROCESS. KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE FROM NUCLEAR POWER RISKS IN AN ERA OF CLIMATE CHANGE: AT THE EDGE OF BISCAYNE BAY, TURKEY POINT'S TWO NUCLEAR UNITS, OPERATED BY FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT (FPL), PROVIDE POWER TO MILLIONS. IN 2018, FPL REQUESTED AN UNPRECEDENTED LICENSE EXTENSION TO RUN TURKEY POINT UNTIL 2053, ANOTHER 20 YEARS FROM THE CURRENT LICENSE, WHICH ENDS IN 2032. THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION APPROVED THIS LICENSE EXTENSION WITHOUT A FULL REVIEW OF THE CLIMATE RISKS. THAT'S WHY MIAMI WATERKEEPER AND OUR CO- PETITIONERS CHA 2591415 true true false true false false false false false false true false false true true true true false false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 16 0 true 39 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 12 12 true false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false FL X X BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER INC 3059050856 220 MIRACLE MILE CORAL GABLES FL 33134 RACHEL SILVERSTEIN CHIEF EXECUT 40.00 0.00 X 210000 0 0 AMADA PRIETO CHIEF PROGRA 40.00 0.00 X 110412 0 3312 GRETCHEN CLARK CHIEF FINANC 40.00 0.00 X 120529 0 3939 CHRISTOPHER BOYKIN CHIEF DEVELO 40.00 0.00 X 160973 0 4725 REBECCA SHARPE-ZOUINE CHIEF TECHNO 40.00 0.00 X 155000 0 4456 H WEITZ JORDAN CHAIRMAN 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 PHILIP KUSHLAN SECRETARY 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 MARVIN WILMOTH TREASURER 2.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 AARON STAUBER DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 KATIA BULGARELLI DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 GREGORY CLARK DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 AMY CLEMENT DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 GREGORY FRANKEL DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 EMILIE FRITZ VELOSO DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 TRACY SLAVENS DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ALEJANDRO DE ONIS DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ELLEN LEVINSON DIRECTOR 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 756914 16432 5 false true false LOCAL OFFICE LANDSCAPE AND URBAN DESIGN 200 10TH STREET 4TH FLOOR BROOKLYN NY 11215 CONSULTING 173000 GKOLLABORATIVE INC 18 107TH ST MIAMI SHORES FL 33168 CONSULTING 109400 2 876754 3294842 4171596 HONORARIUMS & PROGRAM INCOME 813312 40548 40548 40548 53318 53318 4265462 40548 53318 X 525973 346301 50270 129402 1484618 977471 141897 365250 169163 97039 29382 42742 147175 95904 14669 36602 92821 92821 688940 568294 14218 106428 5727 350 5377 90581 71016 3379 16186 52645 35365 8718 8562 132238 78263 24289 29686 62989 58639 2729 1621 15431 15431 10564 6252 1940 2372 DIGITAL PRODUCTS AND OUTR 64887 51668 13219 RECRUITMENT SERVICES 39106 37250 77 1779 MEALS & CATERING 25371 13144 909 11318 SPACE & EQUIPMENT RENTAL 24936 22197 1410 1329 63715 24010 17769 21936 3696880 2591415 311656 793809 1576410 728927 812173 2278260 117448 132187 15473 44709 77156 46233 46354 30923 39028 713446 2606886 3928452 150499 209359 39914 734244 190413 943603 X 1502332 1595160 914141 1389689 2416473 2984849 2606886 3928452 568582 -206 X false true X true false X 942320 1361221 1254671 3725795 4171596 11455603 942320 1361221 1254671 3725795 4171596 11455603 1753776 9701827 5324 269 1248 4620 53318 64779 11520382 97131 0.84210 0.83190 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 17056 98094 115150 2476265 2591415 279571 69893 150463 235466 279571 665500 998250 16262 28061 115150 159473 37616 58867 69893 166376 249564 16262 10188 17056 43506 SCHEDULE C, PART II-A LOBBYING EXPENDITURES WERE INCURRED IN 2024. SCHEDULE C, PART IV GENERAL PROMOTION OF WATER MANAGEMENT AND LEGISLATION TO PROMOTE CONSERVATION. 13694 4337 9357 63462 41896 21566 30923 OPERATING LEASE, RIGHT OF USE 684413 DEPOSITS 29033 713446 OPERATING LEASE LIABILITIES 734244 734244 X 4265256 -206 -206 4265462 4265462 3696880 3696880 3696880 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 3, PART X THE ORGANIZATION HAS ADOPTED THE PROVISIONS OF ASC NO 740, "ACCOUNTING FOR UNCERTAINTY IN INCOME TAXES" ("ASC NO 740"). ASC 740 REQUIRED THAT THE IMPACT OF TAX POSITIONS TO BE RECOGNIZED IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IF THEY ARE MORE LIKELY THAN NOT OF BEING SUSTAINED UPON EXAMINATION. ACCORDINGLY, NO PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES IS MADE IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. AT 12/31/24 THERE WERE NO UNCERTAIN TAX POSITIONS. THE ORGANIZATION FILES TAX RETURNS WITH US FEDERAL AND OTHER TAX AUTHORITIES FOR WHICH STATUE LIMITATIONS MAY GO BACK TO THE YEAR ENDED 2021. X X false false false false false false false false false RACHEL SILVERSTEIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFI 210000 210000 CHRISTOPHER BOYKIN CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OF 160973 4725 165698 REBECCA SHARPE-ZOUINE CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFF 155000 4456 159456 FORM 990 - ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IN 2024, BISCAYNE BAY WATERKEEPER (D/B/A MIAMI WATERKEEPER) BUILT ON OUR REPUTATION BY NAVIGATING CHALLENGES, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES, AND CONTINUING OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING OUR PRECIOUS WATERWAYS AND FINDING LOCAL RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL CHALLENGES. WE UPDATED OUR MISSION AND VISION TO BETTER REFLECT THE WORK WE DO AND THOSE WE SERVE. THE MISSION OF MIAMI WATERKEEPER IS NOW TO PROTECT SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. WE HAVE A VISION FOR A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. SINCE 2010, MIAMI WATERKEEPER HAS DEFENDED THE RIGHT TO USE AND ENJOY CLEAN WATER. WE ARE RECOGNIZED IN THE COMMUNITY AS A TRUSTED SOURCE OF INFORMATION AND A LEADING VOICE AND ADVOCATE FOR BISCAYNE BAY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. OUR WORK IS EFFECTIVE BECAUSE WE EMPLOY A MULTI- FACETED APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, COMMUNITY EDUCATION AND OUTREACH, AND WHEN NECESSARY, LEGAL ACTION. THROUGH OUR EFFORTS, WE PROTECT A HEALTHY WATERSHED AND A VIBRANT COASTAL CULTURE IN SOUTH FLORIDA FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A CLEAN WATER IS WHAT MAKES MIAMI, MIAMI. BISCAYNE BAY IS A VITAL PART OF MIAMI-DADE'S ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY. STRETCHING FROM HAULOVER INLET TO KEY LARGO, ITS SHALLOW WATERS PROVIDE CRITICAL HABITAT FOR SEAGRASS AND MARINE LIFE, INCLUDING IMPORTANT RECREATIONAL AND COMMERCIAL FISHERIES. THE BAY FORMS PART OF THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY AND IS PROTECTED THROUGH BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK AND THE BISCAYNE BAY AQUATIC PRESERVES, HIGHLIGHTING ITS ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE. BEYOND ITS NATURAL VALUE, BISCAYNE BAY PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY. A 2023 STUDY FOUND THAT IT CONTRIBUTES 64 BILLION ANNUALLY, SUPPORTING TOURISM, RECREATION, AND BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON CLEAN WATER (HAZEN AND SAWYER, "BISCAYNE BAY ECONOMIC STUDY UPDATE," SEPT. 15, 2023). HOWEVER, INCREASING POLLUTION, HABITAT LOSS, AND SEA LEVEL RISE THREATS PUT THE BAY AND ITS FISHERIES AT RISK. AT MIAMI WATERKEEPER, WE ENVISION A RESILIENT SOUTH FLORIDA THAT IS A GLOBAL LEADER IN CLEAN WATER SOLUTIONS, WHERE THRIVING COMMUNITIES AND NATURE COEXIST. TO ACHIEVE THIS VISION, WE WORK TOWARD OUR MISSION OF PROTECTING SOUTH FLORIDA'S WATERS BY ADVOCATING FOR RESILIENT SOLUTIONS GROUNDED IN SCIENCE, ROOTED IN NATURE, AND DRIVEN BY COMMUNITY. FOCUSING ON CLEAN WATER, HABITAT PROTECTION, AND SEA LEVEL RISE RESILIENCE, WE IMPLEMENT A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH THAT INCLUDES SCIENCE AND RESEARCH, ADVOCACY, AND EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. FROM WETLANDS TO REEFS, COURTROOMS TO CLASSROOMS, WE'RE PROTECTING THE WATER AND WHAT MAKES SOUTH FLORIDA UNIQUE. SCIENCE OUR WORK ALWAYS STARTS WITH A STRONG FOUNDATION ROOTED IN SCIENCE. WE ANALYZE EXISTING RESEARCH AND LEAD LARGE-SCALE, COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROJECTS TO FILL IN KNOWLEDGE GAPS. WATER QUALITY MONITORING: EVERY WEEK, OUR TEAM OF DEDICATED WATER QUALITY TECHNICIANS TEST OVER 25 POPULAR WATERFRONT SITES THROUGHOUT MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD COUNTIES. ALONG WITH CHECKING BACTERIA LEVELS, WE MEASURE ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS LIKE TEMPERATURE, SALINITY AND TURBIDITY. WE REPORT ALL OUR FINDINGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA, OUR WEBSITE AND THE EASY-TO-USE SWIM GUIDE APP. THIS HELPS YOU KNOW WHETHER YOUR FAVORITE BEACHES AND WATERWAYS ARE SAFE TO ENJOY. COMMUNITY POLLUTION REPORT LEADS TO REDUCTION OF CHEMICAL SPRAYING IN OUR WATERWAYS: THANKS TO A COMMUNITY POLLUTION REPORT, WHICH WE COLLECTED THROUGH OUR 1,000 EYES ON THE WATER PROGRAM (DESCRIBED BELOW), WE BECAME AWARE OF THE COUNTY'S LONG-STANDING PRACTICE OF SPRAYING WATERWAYS WITH HERBICIDES TO CONTROL THE ALGAE GROWTH FUELED BY SEPTIC TANKS, STORMWATER, AND FERTILIZER RUNOFF. THIS TYPE OF CHEMICAL CONTROL KEEPS THE ALGAE IN THE WATER AND ADDS THE CHEMICALS ON TOP OF IT, LEADING TO EVEN WORSE WATER QUALITY - BOTH IN OUR CANALS AND BISCAYNE BAY. FOR YEARS, WE WORKED WITH MIAMI-DADE COUNTY TO END CANAL SPRAYING AND SWITCH TO MECHANICAL HARVESTING. IN JANUARY 2024, WITH THE SUPPORT OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY MAYOR DANIELLA LEVINE CAVA, THE COUNTY FINALLY MADE THE SWITCH IN 80% OF THEIR CANALS. WE'RE THRILLED WITH THIS OUTCOME AND WILL CONTINUE WORKING TO IMPROVE THE OVERALL SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR COMMUNITY'S CANAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. ADVOCACY BACKED BY SCIENCE, WE DEVELOP POLICY SOLUTIONS THAT SOLVE PROBLEMS FACING OUR COMMUNITY. WE TAKE A GRASSROOTS-TO-GRASSTOPS APPROACH, ENGAGING THE PUBLIC WHILE WORKING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THE GOVERNMENT. OUR POLICY TAKES THREE PRIMARY FORMS: LEGISLATION, LITIGATION, AND ADVOCACY. PROTECTING WILDLIFE: NASSAU GROUPER POPULATIONS HAVE BEEN DWINDLING FOR DECADES DUE TO COASTAL DEVELOPMENT, POLLUTION, AND RISING OCEAN TEMPERATURES. SPECIES WITH FEDERALLY PROTECTED HABITATS ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO RECOVER, BUT THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE (NMFS) HAD FAILED TO MEET DEADLINES TO DESIGNATE CRITICAL HABITAT FOR THIS THREATENED SPECIES. IN 2020, WE JOINED THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND WILDEARTH GUARDIANS IN A LAWSUIT TO HOLD THE NMFS ACCOUNTABLE. THIS WAS STRATEGIC, AS THE NASSAU GROUPER IS A KEYSTONE SPECIES WHOSE PRESENCE IS LINKED TO HEALTHY REEF ECOSYSTEMS. AS A RESULT OF THIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT, ON JANUARY 2, 2024, NMFS PROTECTED MORE THAN 900 SQUARE MILES IN THE WESTERN NORTH ATLANTIC, WHERE THE NASSAU GROUPER AND OTHER MARINE LIFE CAN FLOURISH. SUCH DESIGNATION IDENTIFIES THE MOST IMPORTANT AREAS FOR THE SPECIES AND PREVENTS ACTIVITIES WITH ADVERSE MODIFICATIONS AND DESTRUCTION IN THE GROUPER'S ESSENTIAL HABITAT. PIVOTING TO NATURE-BASED RESILIENCY SOLUTIONS FOR MIAMI'S FUTURE: WORSENING HURRICANES POSE AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT TO MIAMI'S COASTAL COMMUNITIES. WE MUST ADAPT, BUT HOW WE DO SO WILL GREATLY AFFECT THE QUALITY OF OUR LIVES. IN 2020, THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SHARED THE RESULTS OF THEIR BACK BAY COASTAL STORM RISK MANAGEMENT FEASIBILITY STUDY (AKA THE "BACK BAY STUDY"), WHICH AIMED TO PROTECT MIAMI-DADE FROM STORM SURGE - A MILES-LONG, MASSIVE WALL AT THE SHORES OF BISCAYNE BAY. THIS PROJECT WOULD HAVE EXACERBATED FLOODING FROM RISING SEAS AND INCREASED RAINFALL, WORSENED WATER QUALITY, AND LEFT SOME COMMUNITIES COMPLETELY UNPROTECTED FROM RISKS. ALONGSIDE PARTNERS, WE RALLIED TO SEND THE CORPS BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD. WE FORMED A COALITION OF ADVOCATES TO EXAMINE THEIR PROGRESS IN DETAIL AND TRANSLATED TECHNICAL JARGON INTO ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC TO ENGAGE IN THE PROJECT'S RE-DESIGN. RATHER THAN UGLY GRAY WALLS THAT DIVIDE COMMUNITIES AND HARM BISCAYNE BAY, WE ADVOCATED FOR NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO COMBAT STORM SURGE. WE WORKED TO ENSURE THE PLAN ADDRESSED THE NEEDS OF ALL COMMUNITIES, ADVOCATING FOR INVESTMENTS IN FLOOD PROTECTION AND RESILIENCE WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED MOST. AS A RESULT, THE CORPS HAS PIVOTED ON THIS 6 BILLION PROJECT AND IS NOW WORKING TO INCORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONSIDERATIONS. AS OF AUGUST 2024, THE CORPS HAS AUTHORIZED 180 MILLION FOR NATURE-BASED PILOT STUDIES LIKE CORAL REEF RESTORATION. WE ARE WORKING TO GET AN APPROPRIATION TO FUND THIS PROJECT. WHILE THIS PROJECT IS STILL EARLY IN ITS DESIGN PHASE, WE AND OUR ALLIES - EVERGLADES LAW CENTER, EVERGLADES FOUNDATION, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND, NATIONAL PARKS CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, AND TROPICAL AUDUBON SOCIETY - LOOK FORWARD TO EVEN MORE SUCCESS IN FINDING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS TO STORM SURGE AND FLOODING RISKS. SECURING AN ORDINANCE TO PROTECT AGAINST MUNICIPAL STORMWATER POLLUTION: ROADS, SIDEWALKS, PARKING LOTS ALL PREVENT WATER FROM SOAKING INTO THE GROUND. THIS LEADS TO INCREASED STORMWATER RUNOFF, WHICH CARRIES POLLUTANTS INTO OUR WATERWAYS AND EXACERBATES FLOODING. AFTER MONTHS OF ADVOCATING ALONGSIDE THE COMMUNITY - AND ARMED WITH DATA FROM AN AUDIT WE COMPLETED OF MUNICIPAL STORMWATER PERMIT COMPLIANCE THROUGHOUT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY - WE SUCCESSFULLY COMPELLED THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO PASS NEW RULES. THESE CHANGES WILL REDUCE HARD SURFACES AND INCREASE GREEN SPACES, SWALES, AND RAIN GARDENS, TO KEEP STORMWATER WHERE IT BELONGS - SOAKING INTO THE GROUND. IMPORTANTLY, THEY INCLUDED THE KEY TERM "GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE" TO SIGNAL THAT THE ORDINANCE AIMS TO RETURN STORMWATER MANAGEMENT TO MORE NATURAL METHODS, LIKE GREEN SPACES AND PERVIOUS MATERIALS. THIS IS A KEY STEP TO REDUCE FLOODING THAT DISRUPTS OUR DAILY LIVES. ADDRESSING INDUSTRIAL STORMWATER POLLUTION: ALONG WITH FERTILIZER, OIL, AND HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS, INDUSTRIAL WASTE IS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO STORMWATER POLLUTION. IN 2023, MIAMI WATERKEEPER LEARNED OF AN INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY IN OPA-LOCKA VIOLATING ITS DISCHARGE PERMITS. TO SAFEGUARD THE COMMUNITY'S WATER QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH, WE PARTNERED WITH EVERGLADES LAW'S CENTER, THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF LAW ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE CLINIC, AND THE SUPER LAW GROUP TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION UNDER THE CLEAN WATER ACT. IN 2024, WE SUCCESSFULLY REACHED A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT THAT WILL BRING THIS PROPERTY INTO COMPLIANCE, REDUCE POLLUTED RUNOFF, AND FUND A LOCAL COMMUNITY PROJECT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS. PROTECTING FLORIDA'S WETLANDS: FLORIDA'S ONCE-PRISTINE WETLANDS, HOME TO THOUSANDS OF SPECIES, ARE BEING RAPIDLY CONSUMED BY DEVELOPMENT. DESPITE LIMITED RESOURCES, THE STATE OF FLORIDA WAS GIVEN THE REINS OF THE PERMITTING PROGRAM TO DREDGE AND FILL WETLANDS BY THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. THAT'S WHY WE JOINED EARTHJUSTICE AND OTHER PLAINTIFFS IN A LEGAL ACTION TO CHALLENGE THIS ROLLBACK AND REINSTATE FEDERAL OVERSIGHT OF WETLAND PROTECTION. IN FEBRUARY 2024, WE WON IN FEDERAL COURT. THIS CASE SENDS A STRONG MESSAGE TO OTHER STATES CONSIDERING THEIR OWN TAKEOVER OF THIS PERMITTING PROCESS. KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE FROM NUCLEAR POWER RISKS IN AN ERA OF CLIMATE CHANGE: AT THE EDGE OF BISCAYNE BAY, TURKEY POINT'S TWO NUCLEAR UNITS, OPERATED BY FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT (FPL), PROVIDE POWER TO MILLIONS. IN 2018, FPL REQUESTED AN UNPRECEDENTED LICENSE EXTENSION TO RUN TURKEY POINT UNTIL 2053, ANOTHER 20 YEARS FROM THE CURRENT LICENSE, WHICH ENDS IN 2032. THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION APPROVED THIS LICENSE EXTENSION WITHOUT A FULL REVIEW OF THE CLIMATE RISKS. THAT'S WHY MIAMI WATERKEEPER AND OUR CO- PETITIONERS CHA FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 2 AMY CLEMENT KENNY BROAD DIRECTOR TRUSTEE HUSBAND AND WIFE MARIA SCHWEDEL DAVID SCHWEDEL TRUSTEE TRUSTEE HUSBAND AND WIFE FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE PREPARED FORM 990 IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE GOVERNING BODY BEFORE THE RETURN IS FILED WITH THE IRS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C THE GOVERNING BODY REVIEWS AND SIGNS A CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST POLICY ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE BOARD MEETS ANNUALLY TO DISCUSS AND DETERMINE CEO COMPENSATION. THEY CONSIDER COMPENSATION OF OTHER SIMILARLY-SIZED ORGANIZATIONS LOCALLY AND OTHER WATERKEEPER ORGANIZATION NATIONALLY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B THE BOARD AND CEO MEET TO DISCUSS AND DETERMINE OFFICER COMPENSATION. THEY CONSIDER COMPENSATION OF OTHER SIMILARLY-SIZED ORGANIZATIONS LOCALLY AND OTHER WATERKEEPER ORGANIZATION NATIONALLY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G CONSULTING 568,294 14,218 106,428 LOBBYING EXPENDITURES WERE INCURRED IN 2024.