STUART, Fla. -- U.S. Congressman Brian Mast is introducing new legislation called the South Florida Clean Coastal Waters Act to require the first-ever federal assessment and action plan for reducing harmful algal blooms and hypoxia in the Greater Everglades region.
Mast says the federal government played a big role in perpetuating the environmental and economic crisis caused by the Lake Okeechobee discharges, but has done little to mitigate the damage caused on the Treasure Coast.
Mast's proposed bill aims to ensure that the federal government recognizes and develops plans to prevent harmful algal blooms in the Greater Everglades region.
At Stuart Angler, Giles Murphy says his business is still recovering from the 2016 algae crisis.
"Sales were cut 50 percent," said Murphy.
He says it's time for something to get done.
U.S. Congressman Brian Mast said he's doing his best to listen to his constituents.
For the second week in a row, Rep. Mast introduced legislation aiming to reduce algal bloom impacts.
"This is going to entail a review of the lake regulations, what releases do in different areas and how that has an effect on our algal blooms," said Rep. Mast.
Last week Mast introduced a bill that provides an incentive for developing technology to combat algae blooms.
Giles see's this as a positive sign.
"Time is of the essence. We need to get stuff done," said Murphy
Rep. Mast says the bill also looks at the long-term health impacts of the blooms as well.
