Congressman Brian Mast has proposed new legislation that would add a priority for the health and safety of people receiving the
discharges from Lake Okeechobee on both Florida coasts. The result is another lost summer due to toxic algae deemed 50 times more toxic than safe for human contact.
Roosevelt Bridge, 9/5/2018
Photo: Christine Craveiro via Facebook
From the Press Release:
“The Army Corps is keeping an artificially high level of water on Lake Okeechobee, risking dike failure and putting special interests ahead of the health and human safety of the communities east and west of the lake,” Rep. Mast said. “We will not tolerate mismanagement of Lake Okeechobee that results in toxic discharges destroying our community and putting people’s lives at risk. Everybody’s health and safety has to be prioritized, and that’s exactly what this bill will do.”
Toxic algae can cause nausea, vomiting, liver disease and even death. Scientists have linked at least one other toxin in the algae to neurological diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer’s. On August 23, 2018, algae in the St. Lucie River tested nearly 50 times more toxic than the level considered safe for human contact, but the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has continued to insist that they have “an extremely limited ability to address water quality.”
The current authorized project purposes—including flood control, navigation, water supply, regional groundwater control and salinity control, enhancement of fish and wildlife, and recreation—have resulted in the lake being managed to the substantial detriment of the communities east and west of the lake, whose health and safety is routinely put at risk by toxic discharges. The Stop Harmful Discharges Act will amend the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ project purposes to prioritize public health and safety on the Treasure Coast and throughout Florida.
He sent the proposed legislation to other members of Congress & our two Florida US Senators so they are aware.
You can watch the news conference on Facebook by clicking here:WATCH NEWS CONFERENCE