The Downriver Project, Perry, FL (2026)

02/23/2026

Taylor County has been through a lot lately.

Just two weeks after Hurricane Idalia tore through the community, their main employer—a $20 billion global corporation called Georgia-Pacific—closed the paper mill.

For decades, the Fenholloway River received pollution from the paper mill. But Georgia-Pacific finally moved their wastewater discharge point in 2020, claiming they wanted to restore the river. Today, the Fenholloway is getting healthier.

Now, after abandoning the community in the wake of a hurricane, Georgia-Pacific is asking for permission to re-pollute the river.

The company wants to offload its remaining pollution into the Fenholloway: 5,000,000 gallons of wastewater, on average, per day. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is trying to approve the plan, but the people of Taylor County and their leaders are united and fighting back.

Learn more at our new website (link in bio).

There are three big ways to help today:

1. Endorse with Your Organization: If you’re part of a Florida business or nonprofit, please consider endorsing this effort (for free) using the link in bio.

2. Write to Officials: As always, we need to show strength. Please use the link in bio to send an email in seconds.

3. Share: Please share widely with people who care about our waterways and fishing tradition.

Right now, there is hope for the Fenholloway. Y'all've beaten plenty of polluters before. Let's see if we can lend a hand in Taylor County.

01/21/2026

Submit your public comment now: link below.

Florida's commercial fisheries and shorelines are in danger. But we've beaten the oil lobbyists before, and we can do it again.
___________

In November, we shared reports that the federal government was working on a massive drilling plan that threatened the entire Gulf Coast of Florida. In response, you contacted our U.S. senators, and .

They listened, and both have waged an impressive defense of our fisheries and coastlines.

But so far, it hasn’t been enough. Just before the holidays, the quietly announced its oil drilling proposal.

It would be catastrophic.

The plan would offer up protected waters along Florida’s entire Gulf Coast to oil companies for the first time ever. The new fleet of rigs would be just 100 miles from shore—significantly closer to us than the BP Deepwater Horizon rig was.

Not only is the Forgotten Coast at risk, but so are places like Tampa Bay, the Keys, the Everglades, and much of Florida’s Atlantic Coast, due to the flow of the Gulf Stream.
__________

Thankfully, momentum in Congress is building. Led by Senators Scott and Moody, Florida’s entire 30-member congressional delegation is standing in opposition. Now, we need a strong showing from the public.

As we’ve seen repeatedly, public input really matters. Today is the best time to type in your thoughts using the link in our bio. You have until Friday, January 23.

Your comment can be as simple as “protect Florida,” or you could describe what our fisheries and coastline mean to you and your family. Either way, thank you.

We all know what’s at stake with drilling because we’ve lived it. And we know that we can win because we’ve done it.

This is exhausting, but Florida is worth fighting for.

https://tinyurl.com/33e6bphe

11/07/2025

Federal bureaucrats could soon gut drilling protections for the Eastern Gulf, which have been supported by both parties and President . This comes from reporting by .

Oil floats. Drilling anywhere in the Eastern Gulf would bring devastating risks for commercial fishing, tourism, and military readiness. And in the end, we'd see very little oil.

The government’s plan is not final yet, so now is the best time to kill it. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody are sponsoring a bill to ban drilling off Florida. This is a great start, but they need to know we’re watching so they’ll fight hard.

Consider emphasizing:

1. What the coastal economy means to our communities

2. The lessons we’ve learned from the BP oil spill

3. The importance of keeping Eglin and Tyndall open so that our military stays strong

4. That their bill is a good start, but they need to get the attention of the White House

Against all odds, you protected Apalachicola Bay from oil drilling through . It's time to saddle up again.

Our waters are worth fighting for.

Write in here:

https://thedownriverproject.good.do/defendthegulf/email/?fbclid=PAb21jcAN65pxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA81NjcwNjczNDMzNTI0MjcAAaeELp5VdGajySvQgsG4N4ZDjdiEKOkvRmWK7pCzG6lHaOnDcFVvlqfYYBuJrg_aem_LCXq63HUVOHinNm8FsUCug

08/28/2025

With lawyers and lobbyists, the oil men came here to threaten our fisheries. But y'all stopped them.

Whether you wrote or called leaders, came to events, shared posts, or put up a sign, thank you for refusing to quit. Together, with the strong support of Rep. Sen. Rep. and Sheriff we achieved a historic triumph for our way of life.

Now, it’s time to celebrate!

This Saturday at 6:00 p.m., the Kill the Drill Coalition will host a victory party at Apalachicola Yacht Club (170 Water Street). There will be a short program, along with live music, oysters, and beer for purchase. This is a chance for the entire community to celebrate, and everyone is welcome!

Again, thank you! Y'all made this happen.

08/20/2025

A Louisiana oil company came for the Apalachicola River Basin. But y'all weren't having it.

Because of you, the Legislature has passed—and Governor Ron DeSantis has signed—a groundbreaking bill to ban oil drilling in 1,100 square miles of vulnerable habitat. This is now the law of the land.

You did that. Against all odds, you took on the oil industry and won.

This historic victory calls for a historic celebration.

On August 30th at 6:00 p.m., the Kill the Drill Coalition will host a victory party at (170 Water Street). We'll have live music, along with oysters and beer for purchase. All are welcome, and we’re excited to celebrate with you!

YARD SIGN RETURN:
Feel free to bring your Kill the Drill yard signs (and any others you have lying around) to us on the 30th. A local beekeeper will collect them and use them for bee boxes.

07/03/2025

One week ago today, y'all made history. Our fisheries are now safe from oil drilling.

After waging a 15-month battle with a powerful Louisiana oil company, you helped secure the Governor’s signature for the Kill the Drill Bill. This bill is now officially law—a win for the Forgotten Coast, even as Apalachicola deals with a devastating tap water crisis.

This was supposed to be impossible. But it happened thanks to your determination and the leadership of Representative and Senator .

Because of you, oil drilling has been outlawed in nearly 1,100 square miles of the Apalachicola River Basin. The ban applies to all of the shaded regions above. This includes the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (blue) and a surrounding buffer (pink). The dots near the top represent the four dead drilling sites.

But the new law doesn’t stop there. It will also force officials at .dep to do their least favorite thing: environmental protection. The next time someone asks for permission to drill near a waterway, the agency will have to seriously consider the risks to fish, wildlife, and downstream communities.

That means that all of Florida’s fisheries are now safer.

06/27/2025

Y'all just brought down Goliath. Y'all just KILLED the drill.

Moments ago, Governor signed House Bill 1143, which will forever protect the Apalachicola River Basin. Thank you, Governor!

This is a historic moment—one that y'all've fought hard for over the last 18 months. You did this.

There's so much appreciation to go around, but for now, we want to send a massive, heartfelt thank you to Representative for sponsoring this legislation and to Senator for leading it through the Senate.

This is a testament to extraordinary teamwork from across the Kill the Drill Coalition. Thank you all!

Now, we're gonna keep on fighting—and winning—for the Forgotten Coast!

06/18/2025

This is urgent, folks. Please call right now.

Minutes ago, the Kill the Drill Bill reached the Governor. He could veto or sign it at any moment, or he could do nothing and allow it to quietly become law.

If at all possible, please call him now at 850-488-7146. Encourage everyone you know to do the same!

Respectfully say that you support House Bill 1143 and that it is still needed to prevent looming oil threats. Then, explain why you care about Apalachicola’s seafood and tourism economy.

Then, be sure to write him using the link in our bio!

Because of you, this cause has succeeded far beyond what anyone thought possible. From the Forgotten Coast, y’all’ve created overwhelming statewide awareness, built a real grassroots movement, and gotten the unanimous backing of the Legislature. Thank you.

Hang tight. We’ll have an update when we know more. Technically, he has two weeks to decide, but it could be much sooner.

06/15/2025

Let's make sure that dads and kids always have a clean Apalachicola River to fish.
..

Event tomorrow (Monday) at 6:00 ET at :

For a year, y’all have helped build an army to defend the Apalachicola River Basin. You’ve flooded the steps at DEP Headquarters and fought for an astonishing 155-0 victory in the Legislature.

But the coast isn’t clear.

The oil men are now cornered, but they’re dangerous. The Kill the Drill bill is headed to the Governor, and lobbyists desperately want it to fail.

Tomorrow (Monday), we’ll hold an event to respectfully encourage the Governor to "bring it home." He's had our back in the past, and we want to make sure he still does.

This short but powerful event will feature speeches by captains, oyster farmers, and community leaders. Afterward, we’ll have live music by the with world-class oysters and beer available for purchase.

Time to make a splash.

06/13/2025

Monday is the final push.

For 18 months, a Louisiana oil company has threatened to pollute Apalachicola's waters. Now, we’ve got them cornered, but they’re fighting back—hard.

Rep. Jason Shoaf's Kill the Drill Bill passed 155-0 in the Legislature and is now on its way to the Governor. With his support, we can end the drilling scheme for good. But he needs to know that we’re counting on him, now more than ever.

Rally: This Monday, June 16, 6:00 p.m.
Apalachicola Yacht Club
170 Water Street, Apalachicola
Across from the historic waterfront

On Monday, bring everybody. We want a crowd so big they’ll hear us in Tallahassee. Our message: that we want the Governor to "bring it home."

We’ll kick it off at 6:00 Eastern at the , which is an awesome bar (as you probably know).

First, we’ll hear from captains, oyster farmers, and leaders. Then, we’ll have live music by the phenomenally talented and oysters for sale from our friends at Water is Life.

And there will be beer.

06/10/2025

Please write the Governor! Link below.

Thanks to y’all, the Kill the Drill Bill has passed with the full support of the Florida Legislature. Now, all we need is for Governor DeSantis to make sure it becomes law.

Local leaders, oyster farmers, and business owners are offering to host the Governor in Apalachicola for a bill signing ceremony. If he agrees, we want to throw a massive oyster-shucking after party. (Message us if you know any marching bands.)

Now, it’s up to us to deliver the invitation.

Use the link to email the Governor. Then, call 850-488-7146 to respectfully explain why you support House Bill 1143 and what Apalachicola means to you. You could even mention how excited you are to welcome the Governor to Apalachicola!

Thank you, as always, for defending our waters.

https://thedownriverproject.good.do/desantis/write/?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwK1D55leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp8oVrUAtNGDNyEHmAY45k-31UP-pmx1iraew6HOBWyY-YarAlLJ22LHvcQa0_aem_7zqVPYDxgM7DYmuHyIQW9Q

05/19/2025

Developers tried to take Florida's public land. But thanks to y'all, they just surrendered.

Moments ago, lawyers for Upland LLC, the mysterious shell company that wanted to take a chunk of the Guana River Wildlife Management Area, formally withdrew their proposal. They were looking to acquire 600 acres that support some of Florida’s finest duck hunting and birding habitat.

This is a testament to Floridians of backgrounds—paddlers, hikers, birders, fishermen, and hunters—rapidly coming together to defend our shared lands.

We Floridians are a stubborn people. When we work together, the results are stunning.

Our public lands are safe for now. Stay vigilant, and thank you!

The Downriver Project

02/23/2026

01/21/2026

11/07/2025

08/28/2025

08/20/2025

07/03/2025

06/27/2025

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05/19/2025

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