President Signs Bill on Algal Bloom and Hypoxia
Last week, President Obama signed into law the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act (S. 1254), which addresses oxygen depletion in marine areas and freshwater bodies. The bipartisan legislation responds to concerns that diverse nutrient sources adversely affect fishing, tourism, and public health.
The bill requires the Department of Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to maintain and enhance a national program to control, mitigate, and respond to harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events. It reauthorizes federal programs expired in 2010, and authorizes $20.5 million in annual funding for the programs for FY 2014 through 2018.
