For many retirees and other residents, Florida’s inland communities serve as a relaxing home to enjoy fishing and boating in the picturesque rivers and lakes located in the area.  These waterways, however, are increasingly difficult to enjoy for residents and visitors alike because they are the focal point for a veritable human health crisis. In describing the situation, a Martin County environmentalist stated that “This is Florida’s Flint, Michigan – ignoring a problem because it is too scary and difficult to deal with.”[1]

 

This striking quote describes the increasing presence of blue-green algae in Florida’s waterways.  Every summer, canals and lakes across the state turn into cesspools containing foul-smelling, bright green surface waters caused by blue-green algae blooms. Blue green algae, despite the name, is actually not algae at all, but a large class of cyanobacteria that thrive in warm, nutrient-rich waters[2].  In addition to the unappealing visual and olfactory effects, blue green algae also have immediate detrimental health effects on humans swimming in it including skin rash, runny nose, and irritated eyes. More severe effects can occur if swallowed including vomiting and diarrhea[3]. Even more troubling, continuing exposure through the consumption of seafood that has ingested blue-green algae is linked to devasting long-term health issues including neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and non-alcoholic liver disease[4]. In addition to human health issues, blue-green algae also have obvious detrimental effects on natural ecosystems including reducing the oxygen level in waters and large marine-life kills. The threat of climate change and increasing water temperatures is likely to only make the problem worse as hotter and hotter Florida summers create perfect conditions in which the cyanobacteria can live and thrive.[5]

 

Pollution from inadequately treated waste and storm water drives much of these blooms. This pollution usually comes from storm-water runoff that washes the excess nutrients from industrial or agricultural developments into rivers and lakes. Despite the extremely dire potential consequences of blue-green algae, state-level legislation to prevent or control the waste and storm water pollution has been historically lackluster. At the current time, no enforceable water quality standards exist at either the state or federal level to limit the pollution.[6] The only policy that addresses runoff from agriculture involves compliance with Florida Best Management Practices, but compliance is merely voluntary. The former Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Adam Putnam, received much of his campaign funding from donations from the agriculture industry, and was well known for doing nothing to encourage the industry to follow the Best Management Practices. [7]

 

Considering the existing level of crisis, the current lack of mandatory regulations covering    storm and waste water run-off from agriculture in Florida is not sufficient. Governor Ron DeSantis expresses considerable concern over the issue, and pledges significant action on the blue-green algae problem, promising to spend 2.5 billion dollars over the next four years to improve the health of Florida’s waterways.[8] If Governor DeSantis wants to fix the problem, however, he must stop nutrient pollution at the source. Florida’s agricultural sector, especially the sugar industry, is a clear contributor to the excess nitrogen and phosphorus that will feed millions of algal blooms this summer in Florida’s lakes and rivers. Imposing numeric water quality standards specifically for phosphorus and nitrogen on water discharges from agriculture would be a huge step in mitigating the problem at its foundation. Pushing for these standards will create significant backlash from the powerful agricultural and sugar industry, but Governor DeSantis does indicate a willingness to challenge the industry for its poor environmental practices through his continual criticism of the big Florida agricultural industry and in his refusal to accept any direct campaign donations from cane growers[9].

 

Considering the current and potential effects that blue-green algae can have on both environmental and human health, Governor DeSantis should make a strong push for strict, enforceable regulation on nutrient pollution from agricultural wastewater. Blue-green algae is so much more than something that is visually unappealing.  It can have devastating human health impacts on Floridians and visitors alike, as well as on Florida’s delicate ecosystem. The agricultural and sugar industry must be tackled head on to secure the health and future of Florida’s waterways and its citizens.

[1] Williams, Amy Bennet. “Florida’s Flint’: State Health Dept. Emails Show Agency Struggled to Manage Algae Crisis.” USA Today, USA Today, Apr. 8AD, 2019, www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/04/08/florida-health-department-emails-show-struggle-manage-toxic-algae-crisis/3398326002/.

[2] Metcalf, James S., et al. “Public Health Responses to Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms: Perspectives from the 2016 Florida Event.” Water Policy, IWA Publishing, 1 Oct. 2018, miami.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/public-health-responses-to-toxic-cyanobacterial-blooms-perspectiv.

[3] Dermansky, Julie. “Fueled by Pollution and Unsound Policies, Toxic Algae Overtakes Florida Beaches and Waterways.” DeSmogBlog, 2 Aug. 2018, www.desmogblog.com/2018/08/02/pollution-policies-toxic-algae-red-tide-cyanobacteria-florida-lake-okeechobee.

[4] Dermansky, Julie. “Fueled by Pollution and Unsound Policies, Toxic Algae Overtakes Florida Beaches and Waterways.” DeSmogBlog, 2 Aug. 2018, www.desmogblog.com/2018/08/02/pollution-policies-toxic-algae-red-tide-cyanobacteria-florida-lake-okeechobee.

[5] Dermansky, Julie. “Fueled by Pollution and Unsound Policies, Toxic Algae Overtakes Florida Beaches and Waterways.” DeSmogBlog, 2 Aug. 2018, www.desmogblog.com/2018/08/02/pollution-policies-toxic-algae-red-tide-cyanobacteria-florida-lake-okeechobee.

[6] Cassani, John. “Florida Legislature Must Get Serious about Nutrient Pollution in the Water.” Fort Myers News-Press, 10 Apr. 2019, www.news-press.com/story/opinion/contributors/2019/04/10/florida-legislature-must-get-serious-nutrient-pollution-water/3404318002/.

[7] Mair, Liz. “Ron DeSantis Took on Big Sugar in Florida and Won. Will Andrew Gillum Join Him?” Washington Examiner, 6 Sept. 2018, www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/ron-desantis-took-on-big-sugar-in-florida-and-won-will-andrew-gillum-join-him.

[8] Mair, Liz. “Ron DeSantis Took on Big Sugar in Florida and Won. Will Andrew Gillum Join Him?” Washington Examiner, 6 Sept. 2018, www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/op-eds/ron-desantis-took-on-big-sugar-in-florida-and-won-will-andrew-gillum-join-him.

[9] Hiaasen, Carl. “When It Comes to Saving Florida’s Environment, DeSantis Gets It – so Far | Carl Hiaasen.” Tallahassee Democrat, Tribune, 16 Jan. 2019, www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/2019/01/16/comes-saving-floridas-environment-desantis-gets-far/38901269/.