Dr. Shortelle, head of Florida’s most ethically challenged water management district, throws out the money number: $736.7 million for water quality improvement. We would love to see that amount directed to the sources of the problems: septics, fertilizer and pumping.
Read the original article here in the Gainesville Sun.
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
St. Johns River Water Management District Looks at New Tools for Fighting Algal Blooms
Sat. July 10, 2021
More:Manatee deaths expected to rise in fall as algae blooms appear.
Algae are part of the natural environment and found in most habitats, just as nitrogen and phosphorus are essential plant nutrients. But too many of these nutrients can cause significant imbalances in a water body’s ecology — algal blooms are one symptom. Blooms can be dramatic, prolonged and, in some cases, produce toxins. The latter are what we call harmful algal blooms.
The district’s governing board recently strengthened our commitment to vital collaborative partnerships by updating our agreement with BlueGreen U.S. Water Technologies for an innovative project to fight toxic algae blooms. The updated agreement allows DEP and our fellow water management districts to respond fast when critical harmful algal bloom conditions are present.
Gov. DeSantis also has created two statewide task forces to address algal blooms. Our own Dr. Charles Jacoby, supervising environmental scientist in the district’s Bureau of Water Resources, was named to the state’s Red Tide Task Force.
Jacoby, who earned a doctorate in biological sciences at Stanford University, has more than 40 years of experience in designing, conducting and interpreting research that guides management of natural resources, and he has led or co-led projects worth more than $30 million. We are proud to have him share his scientific expertise as a member of this task force, whose goal is to focus on the causes of red tide, seek solutions, identify research needs and evaluate other actions to address red tide and other saltwater-based algal blooms.
While the task force and the Lake Minneola project focus on fighting algal blooms already in waterways, we are also focused on reducing nitrogen and phosphorus before these nutrients can enter water bodies in excess and fuel algal blooms.
We also provide cost-share resources to agricultural producers to implement projects beyond typical best management practices that reduce water and nutrient use, which in turn reduces nutrient loading to water bodies.
Combined, 369 projects will have an estimated benefit of reducing total nitrogen by 1.8 million pounds per year and reducing total phosphorus by 331,000 pounds per year.
- Report algal blooms to DEP through its algal bloom dashboard at floridadep.gov/AlgalBloom or by calling DEP’s hotline at 855-305-3903.
- Use fertilizers wisely and sparingly, according to the manufacturer’s directions and local ordinances and only when your lawn shows need.
- Properly maintain septic and stormwater systems. Connect to central sewer whenever possible.
You can find other helpful information on algal blooms and district programs on our website at www.sjrwmd.com/education/algae.
Ann Shortelle is the executive director of the St. Johns River Water Management District.
