Phosphorus Pollution in Florida's Waters: The Need for Aggressive Action to Protect Florida's Rivers and Streams from Nutrient Runoff

Publication Date: January 2004

Publisher: Florida Public Interest Group Education Fund

Author(s): Tony Dutzik; Nine Baliga

Research Area: Environment

Keywords: water pollution; clean water act

Type: Report

Coverage: Florida

Abstract:

The excess flow of nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, into Florida's waterways has led to serious water quality problems--ranging from dramatic changes in the distribution of plant species in parts of the Everglades to algae blooms and fish kills in waterways such as Lake Apopka and Lake Okeechobee. But while Florida has made progress against nutrient pollution in some specific cases, the state's overall response has been insufficient to ensure the cleanup of already polluted waterways and the prevention of future nutrient pollution problems.