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<br />Counties across the nation are facing increased flooding, surface water pollution, toxic blue-green algae
<br />outbreaks, and problems caused by jurisdictional determinations-all related to the lack of enforcement of the
<br />origihal Clean Water Act of 1972. This report shows the need to enact stronger measures to protect our homes
<br />from floods, our drinking water from pollution, our beaches from dangerous algae and other pollution threats.
<br />MARTIN COUNTY, FL:
<br />Florida's Florescent Green Toxic Algae
<br />In 2005, the Florida Department of Health issued health advisories
<br />recommending people and their pets refrain from recreational use of
<br />waterways (such as swimming) or contact with blue-green algae blooms.
<br />These blooms, of Microcystis, affected approximately 11.1 square miles
<br />in the St. Lucie River Estuary (Martin and St. Lucie Counties from Lake
<br />Okeechobee to the St. Lucie Inlet). Portions of Lake Okeechobee and
<br />the entire estuary experienced a blue green algal bloom that turned the
<br />surtace and subsurface waters a florescent green color that was toxic to
<br />human health.
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<br />Blue-green algae covered waterway In Martin County.
<br />According to Gary Roderick, Martin County's Manager of the Division of Environmental Quality, "the blue-green
<br />algae bloom affected literally every residential property owner, business owner, visitor and potential visitor to
<br />Martin County."
<br />Blue-green algae toxins can affect the liver, nervous system, and skin, and have been
<br />linked to increases in liver cancer, i;hronic fatigue illness, skin rashes, abdominal
<br />cramps, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Just touching it or inhaling vapors from it can
<br />cause problems. And as we will see from Dane County Wisconsin's experience, it can
<br />also lead to death.
<br />The bloom had negative economic impacts to the water-related industries of Martin and
<br />Martin County relies heavily on its tourism and marine industries including
<br />the commercial fishing industry. Martin County Commissioner Sarah Heard ~ ~,:~
<br />said, "Literally, all tourism, commercial fishing and other marine activity
<br />- stopped completely for the summer, fall and winter seasons." ~~
<br />` ,t St. Lucie Counties, industries that total $840 million annually. These industries count
<br />'° r, for sales at marinas, boat sales and repairs, fishing tackle/bait charters of $519
<br />_ million/year; personal income of $206 million/year, including 6,600 jobs in marine
<br />- industries, guiding/commercial fishing and repair personnel; tourism of $115 million/
<br />year, including 20,500 jobs in food/beverage services and hotel/motel personnel as
<br />Anocnerexampleofanalgaecnokedwaterway. well as visitation to beaches and hotels and recreational fishing and boating.
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<br />&4ARTiN CO. }iEALTH OE?T, r'.21.Ap90
<br />This is the first time in recent history there has been a Microcystis bloom scan Heard
<br />throughout the entire St. Lucie River Estuary. Toxin levels in the St. Lucie River and estuary
<br />during an algae bloom in 2005 were 300 times above suggested drinking water limits and
<br />60 times above suggested recreational limits. Warning signs had to be posted by local
<br />health authorities warning visitors and residents not to come into contact with the water.
<br />Microcystis algae create spores that will lie dormant in the sediment until activated to bloom
<br />as a result of environmental factors such as high nutrient load, water clarity, temperature
<br />and the duration of sunlight. Where previously these spores did not exist in large numbers,
<br />they are now deposited in high numbers throughout the estuary and prompt higher
<br />frequencies of localized blooms. Lake Okeechobee, which is categorized as a drinking water
<br />source, is now subject to almost year-round blue-green algae blooms as a result of nutrient
<br />pollution.
<br />3 Clean Water For All: County Leaders Speak Out for Clean Water
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