Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) called for the Environmental Protection Agency to take action to combat a recent red tide algae bloom off the southwest coast of Florida.
In a letter to EPA Administrator Michael Regan, Scott requested answers about the agency’s treatment of the bloom, including what data it is collecting, how it is cooperating with local agencies, what it is doing to combat and prevent future algae blooms, and when an interagency task force will arrive. He cited his work combating a previous bloom in 2018, when he was governor of Florida, as a successful example.
FLORIDA RESIDENTS REPORT BREATHING ISSUES, BURNING EYES AMID TOXIC RED TIDE ALGAE FLARE-UP
“Cooperation is necessary to address the impacts of red tide on Florida’s coastal communities and ecosystems,” he wrote. “When I served as Governor of Florida, I directed more than $20 million to combat the effects of a major red tide boom in 2018. In response to this natural disaster, I brought together scientific research partners like Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution to work with state agencies. ”
“Florida took a multipronged approach that involved government at the state and local level to address the impacts as quickly as possible,” he continued. “Building on this, I worked with Senator Marco Rubio last Congress to pass, and have the president sign into law, our South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act, which requires an inter-agency task force to develop a plan to reduce, mitigate, and control harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in South Florida.”
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The newest red tide bloom appeared in October and has since spread across seven counties, causing locals to experience health problems and killing countless marine life. In areas of high concentration, residents have reported experiencing burning eyes and respiratory problems, and 36 people have been admitted to poison control centers in connection with it.
There is currently no known way to prevent the naturally occurring red tide algae blooms, according to the University of Central Florida, though scientists are studying different methods. One developing method is to pour a clay mixture on top of it to sink it to the ocean floor, although researchers are looking for any negative side effects before testing it on a wider scale.
