TCPalm columnist Laurence Reisman will never forget the collaboration ― with a mixture of pessimism and optimism ― expressed in 2004 and 2005 as 37 leaders from Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties met for 18 months in person to address a crisis foreseen in late 2003 by Sen. Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie.
He covered numerous meetings of the Committee for a Sustainable Treasure Coast and thought many of its recommendations were the only way the region could avoid the kind of urbanization that was making, in his opinion, other parts of Florida unlivable.
This year, 20 years after the committee report came out, he spent several weeks reviewing the recommendations and interviewing various members of the committee. Their insight was key to informing him of how effective ― or ineffective ― local leaders have been at taking the committee’s recommendations.
A side-by-side view showing how the southwest Port St. Lucie area developed between 2004 and 2025.
Why was this an important local story to report?
We can’t plan for a better tomorrow ― and avoid consequences that will destroy our quality of life and that of our descendants ― if we do not learn from the past.
As Stuart City Manager Mike Mortell reminded me, we’ve grown slower than projected, but the growth in St. Lucie County is unabated, and more agricultural land is turning into rooftops in western Indian River and Martin counties. We still face a crisis. But we have an opportunity to mitigate its effects.
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What surprised you about this story?
Two things:
Despite the natural habitat, including trees ― citrus and otherwise destroyed in our region the past 20 years, replaced by pavement and rooftops ― we’ve grown nowhere near as much as predicted.
My hypothesis was execution of the plan was ineffective. Sure, I think many local leaders have pretty much blown off the plan ― some have no idea what it is ― and still have no idea that urbanizing land the way it’s been done in South Florida and elsewhere is destructive. But the impact of the committee’s work to improve education and diversify the economy clearly have paid off.
Was there anything you couldn’t answer when reporting this story? If so, why not?
No one can predict the future.
What’s next with this topic?
Hopefully, a next generation of Treasure Coast leaders concerned with preserving the best of it will review the committee’s work and see if there’s a way to use those efforts, do their own homework and act to preserve our quality of life.
Where can residents go to get more information?
You can read the entire report at tinyurl.com/CSTC25new and follow future coverage at TCPalm.com.
This column reflects the opinion of Laurence Reisman. Contact him via email at larry.reisman@tcpalm.com, phone at 772-978-2223, Facebook.com/larryreisman or Twitter @LaurenceReisman.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: In 2005, committee saw Treasure Coast crisis coming. Why care now?