Eva M. Clayton: “Pfiesteria has plagued North Carolina for many years and experts now think that this organism was first observed in our…”

“Pfiesteria has plagued North Carolina for many years and experts now think that this organism was first observed in our waters almost 20 years ago in 1978. While the Old North State has made multiple efforts to address this pestilence through estuary studies, nondischarge rules, phosphate bans, rapid resource teams, nitrogen load reduction, nutrient limit reductions, source wetland restoration programs, and a 2-year moratorium on new and expanding swine farms, Pfiesteria is an enigma for us all as it has been found in many Atlantic waters from the Chesapeake Bay south to Florida and west to Texas. We must work together constructively and effectively, Federal, State, and local governments and agencies, academic researchers, concerned citizens, to attack and find rapid and workable solutions to this predicament. Mr. Speaker, now is the time to find additional funds for Dr. Burkholder, one of the leading researchers in the area, as well as other scientists and researchers like her, in order to answer the remaining questions concerning the effects of Pfiesteria on humans, animals, and watersheds.”