Members of the Blue Green Algae Task Force, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who created the panel in April 2019, were asked: “What grade would you give to state lawmakers for their efforts to adopt task force recommendations to curb and clean up the water pollution that ignites toxic algae blooms?”
The scientists gave the lawmakers a grade of C. Clearly, they graded on a curve.
You bet they graded on a curve; the grade should be F- off-the-scale.
If we want the truth about the direction Florida’s water are going, look to objective scientists such as those found at Florida Springs Institute. The Clean Water Bill alone was enough for an F grade. See our post “Debbie’s Deceit Discovered” where polluters wrote the bill and paid a disingenuous Mayfield thousands for the privilege.
An example worth knowing here: Five years after initiating a BMAP for the Lower Santa Fe River, it was more polluted than before the BMAP was begun. The BMAPs are designed to fail and the DEP is fully aware that the goals will not be met.
Most politicians in general in Florida do what they want, which is to help themselves to more power and more money. That is why we must pass the amendment for The Right to Clean Water to the Florida Constitution.
Read the original article here at TCPalm.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
Manatee deaths, algae blooms suggest Florida waters getting worse, not better | Our View
Recently, TCPalm environmental reporter Max Chesnes asked a pointed question of five of Florida’s top water quality scientists.
Members of the Blue Green Algae Task Force, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who created the panel in April 2019, were asked: “What grade would you give to state lawmakers for their efforts to adopt task force recommendations to curb and clean up the water pollution that ignites toxic algae blooms?”
The scientists gave the lawmakers a grade of C. Clearly, they graded on a curve.
Based on the condition of many of Florida’s waterways, our elected officials and state agencies deserve a failing grade. Headlines the past few years illustrate the severity of the problems:
- Toxic algae blooms are becoming more common and widespread
- Record manatee deaths blamed on loss of seagrass habitat from polluted waters
- Red tide kills millions of pounds of marine life
- State’s BMAP program is not working
- Phosphate mining wastewater spilled into estuary
- State fishery managers may end harvest for redfish in Indian River Lagoon
Algae wars:Task Force embarking on a journey to stop toxic algae
Governor moves against algae:Ron DeSantis announces newly-formed Blue-Green Algae Task Force
BMAP system is broken:‘Look at the water for evidence.’ Data proves Florida pollution prevention not working
Summer is coming. Hurricane season begins June 1. However, over the past decade, Florida has developed a new season: algae season.
As temperatures climb, sunlight grows longer each day, energizing the green photosynthetic cells in cyanobacteria like Microcystis aeruginosa. The algae blooms, thickening and spreading more rapidly than a lie does on Twitter. In a week, a waterway as large as Lake Okeechobee can see a majority of its 730-square mile expanse become horribly slimed. It gets so bad each year, the algae bloom is tracked and measured — from space.
Lake Okeechobee is only one of the state’s 7,500 lakes, but it is connected to three of the state’s rivers and more than a dozen Central Florida lakes. The state’s network of freshwater rivers extends more than 12,000 combined miles. In some form or another, many are fouled. Excess nutrients. Poisonous chemicals. Herbicides. Wastewater runoff. Reduced flows of springs.
The fluorescent green algae gels at Lake O earlier each year, and this year began in late April. Another kind of algae has been observed in recent weeks at Blue Cypress Lake in western Indian River County.
Soon, signs warning against contact with our waters will be posted. To some of our kids, these are just another sign of summer’s approach.
One reason task force members issued a middling grade was there have been attempts by legislators to do something. In 2019, the Clean Waterways Bill filed by Sen. Debbie Mayfield, R-Indialantic, passed. It created grants for septic-to-sewer conversions; expanded real-time monitoring of water quality and added oversight of sewage treatment plants.
But the bill fell short of making meaningful changes to control runoff from agricultural land or to give the state Department of Environmental Protection authority it needs to stop polluters with enforcement and penalties. DeSantis and the Legislature must rebuild the DEP following Rick Scott’s dismantling during his two terms as governor.
Sadly, despite nearly a decade of rhetoric and baby steps in the right direction, why does it feel as if the Lost Summer of 2022 is on our doorstep? Little has changed, and our waters have grown worse.
