The Senate and president are expected to approve the bill, which would help scientists collaborate to better forecast harmful algal blooms.
The U.S. House approved legislation Thursday that would help scientists collaborate to forecast harmful algal blooms and require reports identifying at-risk habitats. The bill, dubbed the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act, would require the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to work with the region’s coastal stakeholders in monitoring water quality and sharing data. The Senate, which in July passed a nearly identical version of the bill, must reauthorize the House changes, said Kyle VonEnde, spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Brian Mast. If Congress approves the bill, researchers will have two years to submit a report highlighting habitats that are vulnerable to corrosive seawater and algal blooms. After that, reports will be submitted to Congress every six years. How’s the Water? Real-time Florida beach bacteria levels Mast, R-Palm City, touted the bill’s approval Thursday evening as „another step closer“ to ending toxic cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, that are carried to the St. Lucie River via Lake Okeechobee discharges.
