SCIENCE DIRECTOR'S REPORT BY DR. ERIN PULSTER

•  Five environmental groups have currently filed suit. Legal document: https://biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/phosphate_mining/pdfs/2021_06_24_Piney_Point_Complaint.pdf)
• · The spill released  an estimated 165 - 215 million gallons of the total 480 million gallons in the 77-acre containment pond. The containment ponds hold seawater, nitrogen and phosphorous. 
• · The water is considered mildly radioactive but so are brazil nuts, bananas, granite countertops, and rocks. However, research is still underway on the impacts and levels measured in the environment following the spill.
• · The larger concern is the elevated nutrients released that can fuel algal blooms.
• · Preliminary results from research being conducted on the Piney Point impacts will be presented at the BASIS7-ANEP Symposium scheduled for October 18-22, 2021 in downtown St. Petersburg (https://tbep.org/estuary/basis/basis7/)
• · TBEP video on Piney Point and Red Tide: https://vimeo.com/577227611?fbclid=IwAR1n3cjHginh3jYw8z31--3X9TPP994U7wEiqT7_KVm1wym5rvLcLL7vYmc
• · Follow monthly monitoring updates: https://tbep.org/piney-point/ and https://protectingfloridatogether.gov/PineyPointUpdate
• · Learn more about the efforts to protect public health and the environment from phosphogypsum impacts: //phosphogypsumfreeamerica.org/

· Levels of red tide in Tampa Bay began to decline in July, after first being observed in late April following the Piney Point spill.

· A patchy bloom of Karenia Brevis persists at background to high concentrations in and offshore of Sarasota County.

· Red tides are naturally occurring, generally blooming offshore and moves inshore with winds and tides. 

· Blooms can be intensified and fueled by nutrient pollution.

· Nutrient pollution sources include agricultural runoff, landscaping fertilizers, leaky septic tanks, aging sewage infrastructure, and storm-water and urban runoff.

· Red Tide Status updates: 

•  Florida Fish and Wildlife: https://myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/
• FWRI Map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=87162eec3eb846218cec711d16462a72
•  Mote Marine Beach Conditions and Tide Report: 
•  https://mote.org/research/program/environmental-health/beach-conditions-report-red-tide-information
•  https://visitbeaches.org/

Ways to take action on harmful algal blooms:

• Go organic: stop using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Replace with organic fertilizers or use mulch and compost instead of fertilizers.
• Scoop the poop. Pick up your pet’s waste.
• Wash your car over grass or gravel to keep additional runoff from entering storm drains and waterways.
• Consider ocean friendly and Florida-friendly landscaping (https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/)

 · Earlier this summer, Lake O was experiencing a harmful blue-green algae bloom. On 8/16, samples collected had no dominant algal taxon with trace levels of microcystins were detected (floridadep.gov/AlgalBloomWeeklyUpdate). 

· As of 8/19/21 satellite imagery showed low to moderate bloom potential on ~45%of the lake with no significant bloom potential on visible portions of the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.

· The Caloosahatchee, Lake Okeechobee and the St. Lucie River and estuary is a human altered, channelized flood control and navigational waterway system linking the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic.

· The dredging, channelization and increased development around these areas has altered the hydrology resulting in substantial ecological consequences including changes in salinity patterns, increases in nutrient loads and pollution runoff, and decreases in the abundance of seagrasses, fishes, and shellfish.

· Releasing of nutrient rich waters from Lake Okeechobee has also caused toxic algal blooms, seagrass die-offs and fish kills.

· Supporting Everglades restoration would help solve some of the water mismanagement issue in Lake O. Ways to take action: https://captainsforcleanwater.org/LOSOM-optimizations-5/

 · PFAS are class of more than 9,000 man made chemicals that are environmentally persistent.

· They have been used in a wide variety of industrial and commercial applications including cosmetics, cookware, fire-fighting foams, water and soil resistant fabrics, carpets, clothing, and food packaging.

· The primary exposure pathway for humans is through ingesting contaminated water and food.

· These chemicals have been linked to several health effects, including various cancers (e.g., bladder, kidney, liver, pancreatic, prostate, testicular), thyroid disease, and developmental, reproductive, and immunological impairment.

· Widespread use of PFAS has led to contamination of Florida groundwater resources, including private and public potable supply wells. DEP has investigated and found PFAS at fire training facilities, State Funded Cleanup sites, and Dry-cleaning Solvent Cleanup Program sites. PFAS contamination also has been identified at current or former federal facilities in Florida (FLDEP).

· Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FLDEP) Dynamic Plan for a coordinated approach to assess the complex PFAS related issues. 

· FLDEP PFAS Dynamic Plan: https://floridadep.gov/sites/default/files/Draft_Dynamic_Plan_Aug2021_0.pdf

· EPA PFOS and PFOA Drinking Water Health Advisories Fact Sheet: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2016-06/documents/drinkingwaterhealthadvisories_pfoa_pfos_updated_5.31.16.pdf

1. Conserving natural lands

2. Safeguarding water supply

3. Promoting water conservation

4. Protecting and restoring water quality

5. Managing growth

6. Addressing climate change and community resilience

Trouble in Paradise Report: https://troubleinparadiseflorida.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/FOF-1115-Trouble-in-Paradise-Paper-vFINAL.pdf

Additional resources:

1000 Friends of Florida: http://www.1000friendsofflorida.org/upcoming-webinars/

Environment Florida Legislative Agenda 2021:

https://environmentflorida.org/sites/environment/files/reports/FLE2021Agenda.pd