On the recordAugust 16, 2018
Madam President, I am here to call on the Senate leadership to bring up the Water Resources Development Act, or the WRDA bill. It needs to come up soon for consideration because right now, in Florida, we are facing a massive environmental and economic crisis, and it is so sweeping that it brings up the memories of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oilspill, or the BP oilspill. Right now, neon green slime is clogging the Caloosahatchee River on the west coast, and the St. Lucie River on the east. I have been to Stuart on the east coast. I have smelled the stench of toxic algae choking the waterways. I have talked to mothers and grandparents who are worried about exposing their children to the harmful toxins, and they are concerned about this if they get anywhere near there. That is why we wrote to the CDC, asking for healthcare guidance. I have met with business owners who have literally had to close their shops because of the algae. If they are fishing boat captains, obviously, that is what happens. If it is a bait and tackle shop--you get the picture. If the stench of algae is so bad in the location of a shop--whatever its business--they still have to close. It is not right. It is not fair for the hard-working fishing guides, the restaurant employees, or anybody who has a business involving our beautiful beaches. People enjoying the natural bounty are all being affected through no fault of their own. That is on the east coast.…





