Ryan Nicol
Though multiple outlets are reporting blue-green algae sightings this week, the Water Resources Analysis Coalition (WRAC) has a message for the public.
It’s not time to panic, just yet.
Not all forms of algae are toxic, and it’s not yet clear whether the algae spotted by some is the same type that troubled Floridians during the bloom in 2016. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is taking samples of recent algae sightings to determine whether it is toxic.
According to a DEP representative at Thursday’s meetings, no proof of toxic algae has yet been found, but testing is still ongoing.
Nitrogen and phosphorus flowing into Lake Okeechobee aid the growth of toxic algae, which can then spread throughout the state as it exits the lake into nearby waterways.
During the public comment period, Ramon Iglesias, manager of the Roland Martin Marina in Clewiston urged the group to focus on the source of the problem north of Lake Okeechobee.
“We hear an awful lot about the water coming out of Lake Okeechobee to the coastal communities, and while I agree it’s a problem, we need to start talking about stopping the water coming into Lake Okeechobee,” said Iglesias.
Recently, Iglesias took a boat to the Kissimmee River, where the vast majority of the water enters into Lake Okeechobee and posted a video of what he saw on Facebook.
The WRAC meeting did describe Lake Okeechobee’s water level as “high” after it rose 1.3 feet in the last 30 days. That could contribute to the spread of toxic algae if a large bloom occurs. The lake is currently below its 2016 levels, but well above where it was last year.
Satellite imaging presented at the WRAC meeting was also not able to pick up any presence of excessive algae blooms inside the lake. But members noted that things could change in coming weeks.
The 2016 bloom overwhelmed parts of the Treasure Coast. The episode caused several beaches to close and forced Gov. Rick Scott to declare a state of emergency in four counties.
WRAC members are appointed by the governing board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). According to its website, members “represent a broad range of business, agricultural, environmental, tribal, governmental and public interests.”
