Skip to content

Breaking News

Erin Brockovich joins the fight against red tide in Florida

Author
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:

Erin Brockovich stopped Sunday in Stuart to announce her support for legislation targeting harmful discharges into a bodies of water, according to a report by WPTV West Palm Beach, a NBC news affiliated station.

Brockovich, known for fighting the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in the ‘90s, said she has never seen a response to an algae bloom worse than she’s seen in Florida, the report showed.

Brockovich also announced her support for U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R–Palm City, and a bill he wrote which would direct the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize public health and safety when determining where to release water from Lake Okeechobee.

It also directs officials to act in a way that minimizes risks to algae blooms, WPTV reported.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation and Commission reported Thursday that red tide algae blooms have increased in northwest Florida with the largest concentration spawning in Bay County.

Red tide may be showing signs on the east coast as well, according to a report by the Miami Herald. Testing for red tide algae in Palm Beach, Lantana and Jupiter began over the weekend after complaints of breathing problems and eye irritation, the Herald reported.

Red tide has not yet been confirmed, the report showed.

jpedersen@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5268, @JoeMarPedersen on Twitter or @JoeMarioPedersenJournals on Facebook