Manatee Review

Congressmen Vern Buchanan and Darren Soto have introduced a bill aimed at addressing the environmental and economic challenges posed by harmful algal blooms in Southwest Florida. The proposed legislation, named the Protecting Local Communities from Harmful Algal Blooms Act, seeks to classify algal blooms as a "major disaster." This reclassification would allow for both technical and financial interventions from the federal government to assist states grappling with these outbreaks.

Buchanan, who co-chairs the bipartisan Florida delegation, emphasized the significance of clean water and beaches to the region's economy and lifestyle. He stated, "Red tide has wreaked havoc on marine life, our coastal waters, and the many businesses that rely on Florida’s tourism-based economy. This bill is crucial to protect our economy and environment for generations to come."

Soto also highlighted the vital role of Florida’s waterways, noting, "Florida’s waterways are the backbone of our environment, economy, and way of life—but harmful algal blooms threaten their health and our communities." He added that the legislation would bolster efforts to protect these waterways and, in turn, the communities and economies dependent on them.

The bill proposes amending the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by including harmful algal blooms in the "major disaster" category. Consequently, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) would be obligated to offer necessary support to affected states.

Southwest Florida's vulnerability to red tide, a type of harmful algal bloom, has become a focal point. Recent occurrences in the Gulf of Mexico have triggered health alerts at several popular beaches.

Buchanan's past contributions to combating harmful algal blooms include securing $8 million for research and supporting legislation that allocated over $100 million for these efforts. His previous initiatives also saw the U.S. House approve a measure to evaluate red tide's impact on human health, alongside an NIH directive to investigate long-term health effects with a budget of $6.25 million.