A subject we’ve discussed a little bit in the past but never on its own, the Cross Florida Barge Canal and the movement to stop it are among the biggest environmental issues in the history of a state that is marked by huge environmental issues. Promoters of the canal sought to bisect Florida from Fernandina to Cedar Key, connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico for the purpose of shortening trade routes. Opponents pointed out that such a project risked destroying the Floridan aquifer, disrupting the primary source of drinking water for millions of Floridians.

Later this week we’ll be highlighting the politics and policy of Florida’s natural resources — an issue Democrats stand to gain from enormously in the coming decade if they handle it wisely. For now, check out this excellent trailer for a film on the proposed canal, From Waterway to Greenway, currently in post-production.