Enviro Groups Call for Toxic Algae State of Emergency

The once dubbed “Green Governor” of Florida has faced scrutiny from several environmental groups after Governor Ron DeSantis (R) signed the “Right to Farm” bill. With the red tide and blue-green algae continuing to be a point of concern in the Sunshine State, a number of environmental groups are now calling on the Governor to issue a state of emergency for communities that are impacted by the growing toxic outbreak.

Friends of the Everglades, Calusa Waterkeeper, the Center for Biological Diversity and a dozen more environmental groups directed a letter to the Governor on May 8^th. Imagery taken from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite showed that a bloom of about 300 square miles is affecting Lake Okeechobee.

In speaking on the matter, John Cassani of Calusa Waterkeeper commented that “based on what’s happening on the lake, we’re potentially ahead of the situation in 2018.” “It’s already in the lake and the red tide has been in the back bays and along the coasts since last November,” Cassani added, expressing that “it just doesn’t seem to want to end.” This poses a threat because “it’s killing fish and I’ve heard of some sea turtles” that are also greatly affected. In order to ensure that it doesn’t cause more damage, “we think now is the time to get ahead and move water south.”

On Twitter, DeSantis responded to the growing concerns, praising the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

In a tweet, DeSantis announced that “in Florida, we are doing our part to address long-term solutions to Everglades Restoration and restoring the flow of water south from Lake Okeechobee.”

During a recent visit to Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers to oversee the conditions, DeSantis informed that his administration has “expedited the EAA Reservoir Project, begun constructing the Stormwater Treatment Area 12 months ahead of schedule, and invested over $2 billion in water quality and Everglades funding.”

In terms of the work that lies ahead, DeSantis explained that “the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is developing a new water control manual for Lake Okeechobee, and they must allow flexibility in the management to avoid harmful discharges in our estuaries and send more water south during Florida’s dry season.”

He asserted that “status quo lake management is not. An option.”