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House Passes Bipartisan Effort to Address Harmful Algal Blooms

June 26, 2019

Bipartisan group obtains $2 million for scientific algal bloom research

WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives approved a bipartisan amendment authored by Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy of Florida, and cosponsored by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon, Mary Kaptur of Ohio, Darren Soto, Charlie Crist, Brian Mast, and Bill Posey of Florida, to address harmful algal blooms, which can be detrimental to human health, water quality, recreation and tourism, and the broader economy.

The amendment was included in a House-passed bill that funds the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It increases the amount of funding that NOAA will dedicate to scientific research on harmful algal blooms by $2 million, from $10 million to $12 million. HABs occur naturally but can be triggered by environmental stressors that are linked to climate change. Harmful algal blooms consume oxygen as they die and decompose, leaving oceans and waterways in a hypoxic state that can result in the formation of "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive. This decimates fisheries and the economies and communities that rely on them. Harmful algal blooms in drinking water sources can produce toxins that threaten public health.

"Florida families are at the frontlines of the dangers associated with the rise of harmful algal blooms across our shores. We need the best available data on the potential health and economic hazards associated with this environmental crisis," said Murphy. "These bipartisan measures will move us a step closer towards solutions that will help reverse the way algal blooms are endangering the health of all Floridians and the well-being of local businesses that drive our state's tourism industry."

"The climate crisis and warming water temperatures are increasing the presence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in our drinking water, ocean, rivers, and lakes," said Bonamici. "Investing in research on HABs and hypoxia will help Oregonians and people across the country who are facing the dangerous effects of exposure, as well as the fisheries and communities that rely on forecasting and monitoring efforts. Earlier this year, I led a bipartisan group of my colleagues in advocating for robust funding for research on HABs and hypoxia. The bill is responsive to our request, and the additional funds from this amendment will help advance research efforts."

"At a time of record high Lake levels on Lake Erie, ever increasing HAB incidents across the nation, and a gloomy HAB forecast for Lake Erie this year, now is the time for action," said Kaptur, Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development. "I am grateful to the members of this bipartisan and regionally diverse coalition who worked together to ensure more resources are invested to strengthen HAB research and detection in this year's funding bill."

"Our bipartisan legislative items included in this bill will directly improve the lives of all Floridians, as we continue to combat harmful algae bloom forming in our state," said Soto. "We will continue to prioritize funding that upholds the voices of Central Florida's families"

The algal blooms measure was included in H.R. 3055, the Commerce, Justice, Science, Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2020. The bill now moves to the Senate for its consideration.

Bonamici has long championed efforts to increase research and monitoring of harmful algal blooms and hypoxia. This Congress, she led 52 of her colleagues in requesting robust funding for NOAA's HABs and hypoxia research and monitoring. Last year, she led the House in passing a bill to reauthorize the NOAA and EPA programs that help communities prepare for, mitigate, and respond to harmful algal blooms and hypoxia.