Gillibrand: Senate passes bill to prevent spread of harmful algae in waterways
The Citizen staff
A bill approved by the U.S. Senate last week would boost the federal government's efforts to combat the spread of harmful algal blooms in waterways throughout the country.
The legislation, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act, reauthorizes a task force on harmful algal blooms and hypoxia and expands the panel to include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The measure would also require the task force to develop a national program to prevent the spread of algal blooms and hypoxia.
Harmful algal blooms decrease sunlight and deplete oxygen in the water, which can kill aquatic life. One type of bloom, blue-green algae, is not only harmful to animals, but it can also sicken humans.
U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a supporter of the measure, said blue-green algae is a problem in New York. The state Department of Environmental Conservation monitors waterways and issued blue-green algae notices for 76 lakes in 2013.
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