Manatee Review

The U.S. House of Representatives has unanimously passed two proposals put forward by Congressman Vern Buchanan. The amendments, which were included in the Interior and Environment government funding bill, aim to address crucial environmental issues in Florida.

The first proposal focuses on the conservation of the iconic Florida manatee. Congressman Buchanan's amendment allocates $1.15 million towards the rescue and rehabilitation of manatees. The decision comes as the state of Florida has been grappling with a significant decline in the manatee population. Since 2021, nearly 2,400 manatees have died in the state, raising concerns about their survival. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that there are only around 6,500 West Indian manatees left in the southeastern United States. The proposal seeks to provide the necessary funding and resources to support the recovery of this endangered species.

Last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a scientific review to determine whether manatees should be reclassified as an endangered species. Congressman Buchanan has been a staunch advocate for the protection of manatees. In 2021, he introduced the Manatee Protection Act, which sought to upgrade the status of the West Indian manatee from "threatened" to "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act. The Congressman's ongoing efforts also include H.R. 131, a legislation that emphasizes manatee population rehabilitation and increases federal resources.

The second proposal addresses the issue of harmful algal blooms, specifically red tide, which has had a devastating impact on Florida's Gulf Coast. Congressman Buchanan's amendment provides $2.5 million to the National Water Quality Program to support research into harmful algal blooms. Red tide, caused by toxin-producing algae, poses a serious threat to marine life and has negatively affected tourism in the region. In the previous season alone, Manatee County had to clear nearly 5 tons of dead fish and debris from its beaches due to red tide outbreaks.

To tackle this issue, Congressman Buchanan introduced the Protecting Local Communities from Harmful Algal Blooms Act. This legislation aims to amend the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to classify algal blooms as a "major disaster." If enacted, this change would require the Federal Emergency Management Administration to provide technical and financial assistance to states dealing with outbreaks of harmful algal blooms, including red tide.

Congressman Buchanan expressed his satisfaction with the passage of these proposals, stating, "These commonsense proposals will help ensure the survival of the iconic Florida manatee and combat red tide, which for too long has wreaked havoc on marine life, our waters and the many businesses that rely on Florida's tourism-based economy." He also highlighted the bipartisan support that the measures received in the House and expressed his commitment to seeing these proposals become law.

With the unanimous approval of these proposals in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Buchanan's efforts to protect the Florida manatee and address the issue of red tide have taken a significant step forward. The allocation of funding and resources to these pressing environmental concerns will contribute to the preservation of Florida's unique ecosystem and support the state's tourism industry.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://buchanan.house.gov/2023/11/u-s-house-passes-two-buchanan-proposals