Three bills introduced on June 6 by U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL) aim to reduce the toxins polluting waterways throughout Florida in an effort to improve public health.
“We should not have to deal with discharges that the EPA itself acknowledges are a threat to people’s health, and the federal government should not be able to avoid responsibility,” Rep. Mast said. “No one should have to worry about their kids getting sick or their dogs dying from the water in their own backyard.”
The congressman sponsored the Stop Poisoning Florida Act, H.R. 3818; the Toxic Health Threat Warning Act, H.R. 3817; and the Prioritizing Revised Operations to Eliminate Cyanobacteria Toxins in (PROTECT) Florida Act, H.R. 3819.
The Stop Poisoning Florida Act, H.R. 3818, would prohibit discharges from Lake Okeechobee at the Port Mayaca Lock and Dam and at the St. Lucie Lock and Dam when the water exceeds the toxicity level that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has determined is too toxic for human contact, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmaker.
Similarly, the Toxic Health Threat Warning Act, H.R. 3817, would require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to notify affected communities before releasing water contaminated with cyanotoxins from flood risk management structures, according to the text of the bill.
Lastly, the Prioritizing Revised Operations to Eliminate Cyanobacteria Toxins in (PROTECT) Florida Act, H.R. 3819, would modify the project for central and southern Florida to include public health considerations, says the bill’s text.
The Army Corps’ current operational priorities do not consider impacts to human health, and H.R. 3819 would amend them to include public health, in addition to existing charges of flood control, navigation, water supply, enhancement of fish and wildlife, and recreation, according to Rep. Mast.
The trio of bills have been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, on which Rep. Mast serves.
“For years, the federal government has tried to turn its back on our communities while poisoning our community and I’ll continue to fight to hold the Army Corps accountable,” said the congressman.