Next Florida Governor Faces Environmental Cleanup Challenges

Water pollution remains a significant issue in Florida, with toxic algae blooms tainting the St. Johns River due to excessive pollution. Former Governor Ron DeSantis promised to address this problem but failed to implement effective solutions. The article highlights the need for the next governor to tackle these environmental challenges.

Florida is the No. 1 state for polluted lakes, with a pollution-fueled algae bloom causing the death of more than 1,000 manatees in the Indian River Lagoon. The St. Johns River is coping with increasing pollution from septic waste and biosolid dumping, while Lake Okeechobee has been named the dirtiest lake in the United States. Bass Masters removed Lake Okeechobee from its Top Ten Bass Lakes list due to its poor condition.

During his 2018 election campaign, DeSantis addressed concerns about toxic algae blooms, promising to appoint a panel of scientists to provide guidance. He did appoint the panel but failed to follow most of the scientists’ recommendations. Instead, DeSantis cut a deal to pay millions of dollars to an Israeli company that dumps a hydrogen peroxide mix into algae-tainted waterways. The algae returns, and the company has to repeat the process. The head of the Israeli company stated that DeSantis’ fight against algal blooms in Florida will fail.