Bill Posey: “I thank the chairman for yielding. Harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events occur throughout the United States. They are…”

“I thank the chairman for yielding. Harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events occur throughout the United States. They are damaging to water bodies, and are harmful to plant and animal life. They also cost local communities millions of dollars and many hours of recreational enjoyment. The adverse effects are both near-term and long-term. The continued need for advancing research on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia events is very apparent. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will continue robust funding for this important research, leading us to a better understanding of the causes, effects, and steps we can take to prevent harmful algae and hypoxia events in the future. Reported to the floor with bipartisan support from the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, S. 1254, the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2014, includes provisions that Representative Bonamici and I were privileged to advance. As amended, this bill will better streamline and coordinate existing harmful algae bloom and hypoxia research activities at NOAA and other Federal agencies. We place a high priority on using research to create implementable action plans to minimize the economic, ecologic, and human health impacts from harmful algae blooms.…”