Isn't that sweet? K. Harris Pledges She'll "Try" For Red Tide Funding

[hatrack]

Who knew just how environmentally concerned she weally, twuly is?!?!? :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

SARASOTA -- Understanding red tide outbreaks like the one now plaguing Southwest Florida will take more money than is now being spent studying the toxic algae. Lack of money has stymied advances in understanding the bloom, scientists told U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris, R-Longboat Key, on a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory on Tuesday. Harris, a candidate for the U.S. Senate, was on a red tide "listening and learning" expedition to the lab.

Researchers complained that a study of red tide's effects on human health had to be interrupted for 18 months because a grant ran out and the National Institute of Environmental Health did not approve a request to renew it. The funding lapse kept researchers off topic during the current bloom, but Mote officials said they've reapplied and will hear in coming months if they'll have the money for another five years, beginning in June 2006. Mote has received $1 million a year from the state for the past two years for its red tide research. As well, NIEH just gave Mote $435,000 for a five-year study on the human health impacts of red tide and $175,000 for a three-year look into the toxin that makes red tide toxic.

EDIT

The U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy appointed by President Bush found that funding a coastal ocean observing system would help a host of research and commercial efforts tied to oceans. Those include everything from sea state reports to aid shipping to hurricane forecasting to information for red tide monitoring and mitigation. Harris told researchers she plans to float a resolution when Congress reconvenes that recognizes the destruction caused by harmful algal blooms along the entire U.S. coastline and calls for continued research and federal, state and local investment into what causes them.

A Harris aide said the lawmaker plans to work with Mote on getting federal funding as well. "The idea of today was to assess what their needs are," said Harris spokeswoman Kara Borie. "That relationship will continue and as they assess what they need, we'll try to assist with federal funding."

EDIT/END

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051012/NEWS/510120468/1006/SPORTS

[phantom power]

1. the definition of compassionate conservatism

A friend of mine defined compassionate conservatism: "I'd like to care... but I just can't."

[NNadir]

2. One of those smiley things.

:rofl:

[philb]

3. While she was part of Fl. Gov't she only worked to make it worse

by supporting a disastrous energy policy that supported unplanned growth, disregarded energy efficiency, disregarded environmental damage or environmental costs, etc.

Red tide is documented to be related to both global warming and pollution runoff, which she and Jeb have shown little concern for.
And as well their promotion of unprecedented coastal growth which has resulted in increased runoff, destruction of estuaries, dunes, sea grasses, etc. at unprecedented levels.

Obviously a case of listen to what I say, not what I've done.