Active algae blooms in St. Johns concern Riverkeeper
May 1, 2013 – St. John’s Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman shared news today that even while the Florida Senate had passed SB 1808 on numeric nutrient counts, there are now several active algae blooms in the St. John’s River. One is approximately 10 square miles in size, shore to shore in the St. John’s River north of Palatka. The other is at the County Dock in Mandarin. “It’s alarming because it’s so early in the season,” said Rinaman. “We typically don’t see the blooms until late May or early June.” Although the Senate Bill and the companion House Bill 7115 still need a consent decree by a judge to ensure that the respective bills meet EPA requirements, in the meantime, the insidious slimy, green mess is invading the river. Jacksonville and nine other communities – St. Petersburg, Gainesville, Sarasota, Merritt Island, West Palm Beach, Palm City, Ocala, Ft. Myers, and Orlando – are at risk from toxic algae fueled by nutrient (nitrogen and phosphorous) pollution.
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