Study quantifies impacts of harmful algal blooms on economy
More action is needed to ensure the disastrous environmental and economic tolls of harmful red tide and algae blooms do not return. That was the unified message from the leaders of several environmental groups committed to clean water at a press conference on Jan. 16 at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Fort Myers Beach.
A new study undertaken by the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Captains for Clean Water and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation sought to quantify the cost of unclean water.
It found that if another harmful algae bloom or major catastrophic red tide event were to occur, like the one in 2018 that killed off more than 4 million pounds of fish in the region, the disastrous consequences could potentially lead to thousands of jobs lost and hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity.
Conservancy of Southwest Florida Executive Director Rob Moher said the study showed the “economic repercussions of degraded water quality.” He added that the study “paints a pretty grim picture of water quality.”
Moher said that if a red tide event like the one in 2018 were to reoccur, as many as 40,000 jobs could be at stake, according to the study. He added that the study is a “wake-up call.”
The representatives of the environmental groups expressed concern for the level of Lake Okeechobee, which was at 16 feet as of Jan. 16. SCCF Chief Executive Officer James Evans said with increasing rain levels this winter, more releases of nutrients from the lake could “exacerbate red tide blooms.”
“We continue to be concerned,” he said.
Evans added that it is important for the restoration of the Everglades to continue so that water can flow south and not into the local estuary.
Evans and Moher also warned about the threats to water quality by the potential development of land near or on wetlands. Among the most concerning projects for environmental groups is the Kingston development near the Audubon Corkscrew Wildlife Sanctuary, which could result in up to 10,000 homes being built on over 6,000 acres of land in some of Lee County’s most sensitive environmental areas near the endangered Florida panther habitat and near an extensive tract of wetlands.
Captains for Clean Water Executive Director Daniel Andrews said he is concerned about the increased rain this season leading to the type of red tide and algae blooms that the area witnessed in 2016, which could harm the local economy again.
“We want clean water and the ability to go outside and enjoy nature,” he said. “We’re here because we like the water. We like the local seafood.”
Andrews said there was “almost zero awareness” of the water quality issues that led to the red tide problems the area faced in 2016. He added that awareness has improved.
“Until we stop destroying our local watershed, we are at risk of this happening again,” Andrews said.
“Water quality is our number one legislative priority,” SanCap Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer John Lai said, noting that the chamber works with the state legislative delegation to improve water quality.
He added that a repeat of a red tide event like the one that occurred in 2018 “cannot return.”
“We saw our paradise in peril,” Lai said.
Moher said a harmful algae bloom or red tide event can be part of a domino effect if they occur close together or after a major hurricane. He added that the regions needs to “fix the fundamentals in our own watershed” and to “look at the patterns of development.”
Evans said one of the roadblocks to improving water quality is negative state legislation passed last year that makes it harder for environmental groups to challenge large-scale developments. It makes those who file lawsuits challenging comprehensive plan amendments more liable for attorney fees if they lose.
As for the Kingston project, Conservancy of Southwest Florida Director of Environmental Policy Nicole Johnson said the organization has reached out to the Environmental Protection Agency to call on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to study and address the question of whether the project could threaten the survival of the Florida panther.
She said initial studies show that the development could lead to a large number of panther deaths due to habitat loss and vehicle collisions. There are only approximately 200 panthers left in the wild, with most residing in Southwest Florida and the Everglades.