http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/01/us/florida-algae-pollution/
CNN)Jordan Schwartz, owner of the Ohana Surf Shop, said he wanted to cry when he saw the green slime -- a toxic algae bloom -- covering his swath of Stuart Beach on Florida's east coast.
"Animals are in distress, some are dying, the smell is horrible," he told CNN on Friday. "You have to wear a mask in the marina and the river. It's heartbreaking and there is no end in sight."
"The algae outbreaks are triggered by fertilizer sewage and manure pollution that the state has failed to properly regulate. It's like adding miracle grow to the water and it triggers massive algae outbreaks," Earthjustice spokeswoman Alisa Coe told CNN.
Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law organization, has been fighting for tougher pollution limits in the state.
"We've seen this for years and years and instead of addressing the problem, here we are on the Fourth of July weekend with a state of emergency being declared," Coe said. "Usually folks would be out fishing, swimming and enjoying the beach with their families. Instead, they are left with water that is too toxic to touch."
"The State wants to pretend the problem is only about water storage but it's also a pollution issue," Coe said. "In order to really get at the problem you got to clean up the water. Anyone whose been watching the state of regulation in Florida saw this coming."
For his part, Schwartz is hoping his business of 10 years will survive the state and federal back and forth
The hazardous water is costing Schwartz's family owned business about $10,000 a week. They even had to cancel their surf camp for kids, one of their main streams of income.
)
Sen. Marco Rubio called on President Barack Obama to declare a state of emergency to help businesses harmed by the massive algae bloom fouling some of Floridas southern rivers and beaches.
http://federalnewsradio.com/governm...o-wants-obama-to-declare-emergency-for-algae/
Big government help me if toxic.
CNN)Jordan Schwartz, owner of the Ohana Surf Shop, said he wanted to cry when he saw the green slime -- a toxic algae bloom -- covering his swath of Stuart Beach on Florida's east coast.
"Animals are in distress, some are dying, the smell is horrible," he told CNN on Friday. "You have to wear a mask in the marina and the river. It's heartbreaking and there is no end in sight."
"The algae outbreaks are triggered by fertilizer sewage and manure pollution that the state has failed to properly regulate. It's like adding miracle grow to the water and it triggers massive algae outbreaks," Earthjustice spokeswoman Alisa Coe told CNN.
Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law organization, has been fighting for tougher pollution limits in the state.
"We've seen this for years and years and instead of addressing the problem, here we are on the Fourth of July weekend with a state of emergency being declared," Coe said. "Usually folks would be out fishing, swimming and enjoying the beach with their families. Instead, they are left with water that is too toxic to touch."
"The State wants to pretend the problem is only about water storage but it's also a pollution issue," Coe said. "In order to really get at the problem you got to clean up the water. Anyone whose been watching the state of regulation in Florida saw this coming."
For his part, Schwartz is hoping his business of 10 years will survive the state and federal back and forth
The hazardous water is costing Schwartz's family owned business about $10,000 a week. They even had to cancel their surf camp for kids, one of their main streams of income.
Sen. Marco Rubio called on President Barack Obama to declare a state of emergency to help businesses harmed by the massive algae bloom fouling some of Floridas southern rivers and beaches.
http://federalnewsradio.com/governm...o-wants-obama-to-declare-emergency-for-algae/
Big government help me if toxic.
