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Bipartisan legislation to fight harmful algal blooms was approved by both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate this week. Congressman Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) co-authored the legislation which reauthorizes important research programs and includes new tools to help communities prepare for future algal blooms and hypoxia events like the ones threatening the health of our Indian River Lagoon. 

“Many of our estuaries like our Indian River Lagoon are experiencing serious health challenges and this important bipartisan legislation will help better position our communities to fight harmful algal blooms and mitigate their effects,” said Congressman Bill Posey, founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Estuary Caucus. 

Along with reauthorizing important research programs, the legislation will improve existing law by strengthening the Interagency Task Force, increasing collaboration among agencies and creating a streamlined process for harmful algal blooms and hypoxia forecasting. The legislation further recognizes that harmful algal blooms are events of national significance that will likely have detrimental environmental, economic, or public health consequences.