Mark Howard is executive editor of Florida Trend, the stateâs premier business magazine.

A skirmish over water in southwest Florida may offer a good preview of bad things to come in Florida. The Sarasota Herald-Tribuneâs Victor Hull reported recently how North Port in southern Sarasota County is on the verge of outgrowing its water supply. To keep up with expected demand from new residents, North Port is demanding that its regional public utility, which is jointly owned by Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, take away water-pumping capacity thatâs earmarked for other communities in the region and give it to North Port. The townâs officials, Hull reports, believe their town is legally and morally entitled to more water and may go to court to try to force the utilityâs hand.

North Port, a town of 31,000 spread over 100 square miles, has grown promiscuously and irresponsibly by courting developers and annexing land. The idea that its success at sprawl gives it some moral right to more water is a little like the glutton who claims heâs entitled to an extra piece of pie because his stomachâs gotten bigger from overeating.

North Portâs problem, however, is much bigger than North Port. Statewide, Floridaâs communities are growing into each other and will continue to do so, regardless of whether their growth policies are strong, moderate, whorish or non-existent. Friction over water will become more common and costly, and North Port-type claims will proliferate unless the state reorganizes the way it plans and develops its water resources.

Picture, a few years hence, a dozen lawsuits around the state with 20 or 30 communities locked in thatâs-MY-water combat. The potential expense and disruption to the stateâs economy and social fabric is more than considerable. And any environmentalists who think the environment would come out ahead in that scenario are fooling themselves.

The first significant nudge toward change came from the Council of 100, which in 2003 brought up an old idea, a state water board, to coordinate water policy statewide and ensure an adequate supply to handle growth. The council had to dive for cover after some decided to believe that it was really just scheming for a way to pipe water from the sylvan glades of north Florida to greedy developers in the south. An unduly outraged citizenry gave the state a taste of the passions that even potential water wars can generate.

It was all quiet on the water front for a while, but the process may get another nudge this legislative session ÷ both in the Senate and the House. State Rep. Donna Clarke, a Sarasota Republican (her district doesnât include North Port) who now heads the Houseâs Water and Natural Resources Committee, says she has two main goals: Sheâd like the Legislature to make it completely clear, legally, who owns the stateâs water: i.e., the state. ãIn todayâs world, itâs not a personal property right,ä she says.

Clarke also says sheâd like to start looking for a funding source that would pay for increasing water supply ÷ possibly by removing the sales tax exemption on bottled water or by taking a piece of documentary stamp tax collections, she says. Ultimately, Clarke believes, the state should redefine the role of the water management districts ÷ something the Council of 100 advocated ÷ and create regional water boards comprised of local political officials, water management district executives and others that would take over the process of ensuring sufficient supply.

It was interesting to hear a Republican talk openly of both new ãfunding sourcesä ÷ taxes ÷ and creating a new board-bureaucracy. Ideological ironies aside, however, some of what Clarke favors just seems unwise. Regional boards are a horrible idea and seem mostly like a way to anesthetize potential political opponents in water-rich areas. First, the thinking seems to be, remind them that itâs the stateâs water. Then, put them on boards with some neighbors in their region and teach them how to share it nicely, without squawking.

It also seems a mistake to tinker much with the water management districts, which have provided the science thatâs helped protect the stateâs most sensitive areas and have guided many good decisions on water resources.

But Clarke and the Legislature are right to begin focusing on developing supply ÷ and on creating a funding source to finance it. This is a crisis that isnât a crisis yet but will happen fast when it happens. As Clarke says, ãIf nobody else moved to Florida starting tomorrow, we need to be doing long-range planning for new sources of water and for cleaning up what we have. We need to make the pie bigger and the existing pie more edible.ä

And ultimately, there will have to be some device or stratagem to create the political will for the powers who control local and regional water authorities to price water appropriately ÷ there are presently no political or financial incentives to make water cost what it should.

No one likes to say it, but it shouldnât really be a secret that water is going to get significantly more expensive. Economics is a dismal science, but when fast-growing demand meets a limited supply, some results are predictable. And water should cost more, both to reflect its real value and to stimulate technologies for conservation and reuse ÷ cisterns and other large and small-scale storage, stormwater reuse, etc.

If the process of water becoming more expensive proceeds smoothly, Florida will be able to grow in a healthy way ÷ both economically and environmentally. If not, welcome to North Port.

© 2005 Trend Magazines Inc. Reprinted by permission. Further reproduction prohibited. For subscription information call 1-800-829-9103.

EDITOR'S DESK

Curiosity is the only indispensable accessory

Growing up in the Midwest, I reveled in the turn of seasons. Spring's heady reprieve from the long, grey arm of winter as impatient crocuses battled forth from the crusty earth. Emerald green lawns in summer, the scent of fresh grass clippings and bratwurst on the grill. A river bluff awash in amber-gold and beet red brushstrokes at the height of Fall. And no less magical, the arrival of winter, the first dusting of snow and, later, the deluge that would send us scrambling outdoors with sleds and saucers to challenge the hills.

I still miss the dramatic changing of the guard, but nearly 20 years in Florida has taught me this: seasons here, Spring above all, are as flush with welcome surprises and the sounds of new life.

On Tampa Bay, Spring heralds the arrival of a fresh crop of chicks, among them baby pelicans, terns and spoonbills, that turn mangrove capped islands into colorful and noisy nurseries. Tampa Bay becomes a whirlwind of activity as hungry youngsters await their first meals, fumbling awkwardly at first as they test new legs and wings, and fill the air with whistles and squawks.

Those lucky enough to witness the spectacle should do so from a distance to avoid disturbing nesting birds and their offspring.

Getting out on the bay, for some, is getting more difficult as the number of launches dwindle and popular spots become more congested. But as Captain Chuck Rogers reminds us in Backbay Adventures, perhaps it’s time to explore new areas. Tampa Bay's stunning interior and rivers offer adventures far from the madding crowds.

Even at home, nature beckons for those willing to hit the pause button long enough to enjoy it. "Here in my own backyard, just a cartwheel away from the interminably buzzing interstate and glass towers of downtown," writes Nanette Holland, "I have found many good things to see." Holland extols the everyday adventures, from a scarlet red cardinal attempting to woo a regal but aloof khakicoated female to dragonflies descending on a pond "like a ghostly squadron of fighter pilots."

The point is you don't need a boat - or even a large tract of land - to explore the wonders of Tampa Bay. As Holland notes: "The only truly indispensable accessory is curiosity."