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Today the House Science Committee approved S. 1254 after adopting a bipartisan amendment offered by Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) and Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) which enhanced the coordination of algae bloom research across federal, state and local agencies. The legislation reauthorizes and enhances research into the causes of algae blooms and hypoxia events which are harmful to natural habitats like the Indian River Lagoon.

“Our amendment and this legislation enjoy broad bipartisan support and is a step forward to improving research to address harmful algal blooms and hypoxia throughout the country,” said Rep. Posey. “By working together through better coordination, the bill will also make sure that federal agencies collaborate more closely with local and state governments to avoid duplication, stretching research dollars further.”

The Indian River Lagoon is one of our nation’s 28 national estuaries stretching 156 miles through five counties along Florida’s East Coast – from Volusia County at the north end and south through Martin County. Recent algal blooms have had an adverse impact on the Lagoon’s health evident in the loss of more than 47,000 acres of sea grass since the spring of 2011. The lagoon has also experienced a number of unexplained fish kills, along with manatee, dolphin and pelican deaths.

“This bill will serve as one more tool in our arsenal to better understand and effectively address the underlying contributing factors to our Lagoon’s degradation,” said Posey.