CHARLIE CRIST APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE ieee Congress of the United States span Szeet ie oo prune Wouse of Representatives ET Las ac ‘Washington, DE 20315-0913 pee le July 23, 2021 xno ‘The Honorable Ron DeSantis Governor, State of Florida The Capitol 400 8. Monroe St. Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Dear Governor DeSantis, I write today to urge you to take immediate action to address the current red tide outbreak in Tampa Bay and along the Gulf Coast. Specifically, I urge you to request a determination of “Harmful Algal Bloom Event of National Significance” from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Given the severity of the outbreak ~ and the resulting public health, economic, and environmental damage ~ I believe this event warrants a determination. In 2019, Congress passed an amendment to the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (PL 115-423) that established a process for determining outbreaks of harmful algae blooms, such as red tide, as “events of national significance.” Per the lav, a determination can be made “at the request of the Governor of an affected State.” Once the determination is approved, federal funds could be unlocked to support “assessing and mitigating the detrimental environmental, economic, subsistence use, and public health effects of the event.”! Based on this language in the law, I believe funding could be used, among other things, to clean up the rotting marine life that has clogged our waterways and shorelines. As you know, the red tide outbreak currently impacting the Tampa Bay region is the worst we've seen in years. It is having a devastating impact on our marine life, environment, economy, and the health and safety of our residents. While city and municipal staff, as well as dedicated volunteers, are working around the clock to clean up dead fish and other marine life, red tide shows no sign of letting up anytime soon, and the current pace of work is unsustainable. According to local officials, nearly 1400 tons of dead fish and other marine debris has been removed from our waters and shores. But it just keeps piling up. The stench of rotting fish is overwhelming, driving people away from our beaches and waterfront businesses. ‘The Red Tide Respiratory Forecast shows that respiratory irritation is moderate to high in Pinellas County, putting vulnerable populations at risk? Something must be done, and done now. We need help cleaning up the mess. We need help for our businesses who are suffering. And we need help for those whose health is in danger. ? htps://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/currentI'm sure you can agree that the situation is dire and requires immediate action. For this reason, urge you to request a determination of “Harmful Algal Bloom Event of National Significance” so that Tampa Bay can start down the road to recovery. ‘Thank you for your attention to this extremely serious matter, Sincerely, Charlie Crist UNITED STATES CONGRESSMAN