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March 09, 2010

Energy and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Brian Baird's Floor Speech on HR 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 2010, on suspension

As prepared for delivery

Madam Speaker, I rise in support today of H.R. 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 2010.
 
This bill represents a timely and necessary step to address a large and growing problem. The Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Hypoxia Research and Control Act was first signed into law in 1998 and last reauthorized in 2004.
 
I stand here today in support of reauthorizing a program that has funded research to advance our understanding and our ability to detect, assess, predict and control these harmful algal bloom and hypoxia events. However, since the last reauthorization there has been an increase in the number, frequency, and type of algal blooms and hypoxic events.
 
Recently, there have been an unprecedented number of low-oxygen or hypoxic events, also referred to as dead zones, off the coast of the Pacific Northwest and in Puget Sound. Researchers have stated that in this region, we may have crossed a tipping point.
 
There are areas now that are even anoxic, meaning oxygen depleted altogether, and this is something that we have not seen before.
In these HABs and Hypoxia events, most marine animals suffocate or are severely stressed if they cannot escape the area. There have even been cases of beach closures because families and their pets become sick or worse during these events. While we don’t have all the answers for why these events occur, climate change may be a contributing factor in the increase of their occurrence.

The Pacific Northwest is not the only region experiencing these blooms and hypoxic events. We are seeing these occurrences around the country. In the Gulf of Mexico and the Chesapeake Bay, dead zones are closely associated with serious nitrate loads and other nutrient pollution.

Florida and many other areas have experienced a growing number of algae blooms, sometimes called green, brown, or red tides. Not all of these algae produce toxins that are harmful to humans or animals, but some types of blue green algae can produce substances that are known to be seriously toxic. Some of these toxins may remain in fish and shellfish that have consumed these algae, which can result in human exposure to these toxins.

People and animals can also be exposed when they swim through a bloom or drink untreated water containing these algae and their toxins. In my hometown of Vancouver, Washington, there is a local lake that was experiencing a harmful algal blloom. A dog ran into the water to fetch a ball, ran out of the water, and immediately dropped dead.

From experience as a hiker, I can tell you that conventional methods of filtering and boiling do not get rid of these algae.
It is our responsibility to protect our coast, oceans, and citizens from the threats that these blooms cause on our beaches, in the ocean’s food web, and in economic losses to communities and commercial fisheries.
 
I believe we have taken some important steps and made great advances in our research findings due to the 1998 act and 2004 reauthorization. However it is now time to act upon the numerous reports and assessments that came out of these two laws.
 
This reauthorization calls for action plans to begin responding to the needs of our communities.
 
The bill establishes a National Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Program, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) tasked as the lead in overseeing the development of these plans and the execution of this National Program.
 
In addition, there needs to be more work done on the freshwater HABs. HABs affect not only our coastlines, but our inland waters as well. I think my colleagues will agree that we expect to see a collaborative effort between NOAA and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in addressing the threat of HABs to freshwater.
 
We need to continue the valuable ongoing research while now implementing a strategic national plan and regional plans.
 
And we must use our research and advances in our understanding of these blooms and the hypoxic events they cause to better monitor, mitigate, and control these occurrences and even prevent them, if possible. 
 
This bill is supported by a broad group of stakeholders, including Ocean Champions and the PURRE Water Coalition.
 
I am also pleased that this bill is the product of bipartisan collaboration, and contains the input of both Democratic and Republican Members. I would especially like to recognize Dr. Vern Ehlers’ contributions both to this bill, and the prior authorizations of this program. Dr. Ehlers has been a real leader on this issue over the past 12 years, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without his efforts.

Ongoing research, development and implementation of an action strategy are key components to addressing this environmental challenge, and H.R. 3650 helps move us forward in each of these areas. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3650 and I reserve the balance of my time.