Buchanan Applauds Gov's Focus on Water Quality

Statement

Congressman Vern Buchanan, saying Florida's economy depends on clean water, today applauded Gov. Ron DeSantis' early focus on protecting the state's environment and natural resources.

"I was pleased to see your administration's top priorities include efforts to protect Florida's rich natural resources and address water quality issues plaguing our state," Buchanan said in a letter to DeSantis. "It was particularly encouraging to see you promote efforts to combat Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), including red tide and denounce offshore oil and gas drilling off the coast of Florida."

Buchanan also made the case to include efforts to combat red tide in the governor's newly proposed Blue-Green Algae task force.

"I commend your calls for the establishment of a Blue-Green Algae Taskforce aimed at reducing the impacts of these toxic blooms and encourage you to include efforts to study and mitigate the damaging effects of red tide with equal vigor," Buchanan said. "Due to the overwhelming environmental damage red tide has inflicted on our coastal communities, Suncoast businesses have reported millions of dollars in lost revenue in the last year alone. In fact, a survey by Visit Sarasota found that a staggering 95 percent of local businesses reported losses related to red tide."

As co-chair of the Florida delegation, Buchanan said combatting red tide and Harmful Algal Blooms should be a top priority. President Trump recently signed a Buchanan-backed bill providing more than $100 million to combat Harmful Algal Blooms like red tide. In 2018, his proposal to increase funding for red tide research was signed into law.

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