Stuart, Fla. – With more than 90 percent of Lake Okeechobee covered in algal blooms and discharges scheduled to resume on Monday, July 9, 2018, U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers not to resume discharges citing the Army Corps’ mission to protect human safety.  The discharges, Rep. Mast said, “pose a significant threat to human health and safety” that is “more imminent and dangerous” than any other potential risks.

The text of the letter is below and attached:

July 5, 2018

 

COL Jason A. Kirk

District Commander

Jacksonville District

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

701 San Marco Boulevard

Jacksonville, FL 32207

 

Dear Colonel Kirk:

As you know, recent satellite images of Lake Okeechobee by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration show that more than 90 percent of the lake is currently covered in algal blooms.  Algal blooms discharged recently from Lake Okeechobee have tested positive for toxins.  These blooms, therefore, pose a significant threat to human health and safety.

You are charged with protecting human safety, yet are currently scheduled to resume discharges from Lake Okeechobee on Monday, July 9, 2018.  Because these blooms present a more imminent and dangerous threat to public health and safety than anything else, I formally request that you not resume discharges on July 9, 2018 and that the Army Corps cease discharges until you can prove definitively that the toxins no longer exist or a greater imminent threat emerges.

Sincerely,

 

Brian Mast

Member of Congress

 

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