Environment

Why Planned Oil Drilling in the Everglades Has Florida Cities Worried

A Florida appeals court has approved exploratory oil drilling in the Everglades, prompting worries about Miami’s water supply and risks to the wetland ecosystem.
A small blue heron catches a fish in the Florida Everglades.J Pat Carter/AP

On April 23, 2003, hundreds of Miami residents pulled underwear from their washers to find that it had turned pink.

No, the city didn’t collectively forget a red sock in their load of whites: The United States Geological Survey had performed a test.