Letter to Barack Obama, President of the United States - Federal Assistance for Toxic Algal Bloom

Letter

Dear Mr. President:

We write with urgency and in support of Governor Rick Scott's August 14, 2016 appeal for federal emergency declaration in response to the toxic algal blooms in Florida's waterways. This disaster continues to negatively affect our estuaries and the economic livelihoods of Floridians.

Although Governor Scott declared a state of emergency, which provided resources to the areas hard pressed by the algal blooms, more must be done. Discharges from Lake Okeechobee have not stopped, and the bloom in the lake continues to grow. With the constant discharges, and summer weather providing the conditions to continue the algae overgrowth, an end to this disaster is not in sight. These waters are home to seagrasses and countless marine life which are vital to the ecosystem. A federal disaster declaration will go a long way in providing treatment options to mitigate the ecological effects and also make whole those businesses and property owners who have suffered economic losses due to the discharges.

The federal government has an important role to play in ensuring Florida's waters are able to rebound from this disaster. We respectfully request that you approve Governor Scott's appeal for federal emergency declaration.

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