South Florida Algae Crisis Special Report

[@patriciaburke2401]

The sugar industry seems to be implicated in this problem. Sugar also feeds cancer cells. Yet sugar is in so very much of our food! Stopping the farming of sugar cane and replacing the crops with healthy solutions seems like a conscientious solution. People are more important than money and if this continues, there won’t be any people left to spend the money! Greed is killing us!

[@melaniesimms621]

So true! Greed is destroying everything ... so done with capitalism!

[@yantan6386]

Without greed, billions of people will die in hungry. It is the capitalism greed that have made the earth supportive of 7 billion people. Without it, the max number of people can live in earth is less than billion, requiring 9 in every 10 people die virtually immediately.

[@markditz6282]

Thankyou!

[@mrsmucha]

Republicans got paid by the sugar industry to ignore the problem.

[@happygolden-mountain]

I think corporations are more important than people. At least that what trump seems to imply. Environmental concerns are civilian issues. Sad.

[@johna6291]

Absolutely DISGRACEFUL. These politicians and corporations are KILLING Florida. Why do we even pay taxes to these USELESS authorities??

[@GodSpeaksInMath]

Its most likely nuclear leakage from the Port St Lucie facility... I think they share drainage canals.. sugar industry could be a contributor but just like toxic algae in Biscayne bay is a result of Tritium runoff from Turkey Point. Many nuke plants are leaking.

[@spotz9873]

This is ruining the State of Florida’s eco system the state needs to stop pointing the finger and get something done about this

[@sherri99516]

Excellent South Florida Algae Crisis Special Report! Thanks WPTV News.

[@markditz6282]

Thanks for nothing!

[@jimkirk989]

WELCOME TO FLORIDA, THE NEW JERSEY OF THE SOUTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jimkirk989]

thank you "Troy62486", now if only NBC/HBO can create a hybrid show of "Miami Vice" / "The Sopranos", I GOT IT, HEAR ME OUT just IMAGINE A SHOW ABOUT "THE TRUMP FAMILY" SET IN FLORIDA, JUST CALL IT wait for it: "MAR-A-LAGO", what do you think????? I can just hear President saying: "Mar-a-lago" has the righest ratings BECAUSE OF ME"!

[@Mark-dr4bb]

Why can't they just impose imminent domain on big sugar? They do it to the people all the time. To hell with big sugar. Take the land!

[@yantan6386]

Too expensive.

[@kensebastian9372]

Big sugar had a direct line to a phone that rang on Clinton's desk. That tell you anything?

[@aidansharples7751]

Big sugar now have a direct line tied to trumps ballsack. Enough with the Clinton rubbish, she is irrelevant.

[@bobberguy1]

Mark, The answer is easy: $$$$$$$$$$$$$. Sugar industry has bought and paid for politicians.

[@AgapeYah]

With social media today we should be able to join together and trump, no pun intended, corrupt politicians and big sugar. Could enough Floridians and concerned worldwide environmentalists join voices and demand a solution. Most of us would doubt that enough people would join a movement to actually affect change so monumentally. I am hopeful that we Floridians can and will do just this one day. We can have one voice and we can demand change. STEP UP AND DO SOMETHING - WE CAN DO THIS!

[@markbrown5117]

These do nothing politicians. What a joke. Now it's Mr. Scott. He talks and really doesn't do what needs to be done.

[@marinagarza1803]

The only time they will do something, is when it personally affects them and their family. By then it's too late. Money and greed over humanity. Truly disgusting. Florida residents should quit voting these republican douchebags in. It could be a matter of life and death!

[@jamesosekowsky8303]

You get the government you deserve.

[@b-kerbchek-k7582]

Lol by a lot of nutrients do you mean fertilizer poisoned water

[@jamessang5027]

Yep, fertilizer from agriculture and nutrients from animal poop!

[@McDrunkerson]

Vote your politicians out of office, Scott is just passing the buck while kissing the butt of big sugar

[@StitchShifterDesigns]

We have never seen green algae on the beaches or red tide on both coasts continuously for over a year, and as far out as 20 miles off shore, killing even manatees, whale sharks and large mamouth grouper. We need to take a good look at Mosaic and the massive damage they have inflicted for decades and they keep getting new mining permits. We need to hold Rick Scott accountable and use his $250M profit from his Mosaic holdings to start the cleanup of some of the Mosaic strip mine sites.

[@GodSpeaksInMath]

Its most likely nuclear leakage from the Port St Lucie facility... I think they share drainage canals.. sugar industry could be a contributor but just like toxic algae in Biscayne bay is a result of Tritium runoff from Turkey Point. Many nuke plants are leaking. btw why are they interviewing mainly soccer moms, politicians n fishermen...where are the so called scientists testing and explaining first of all what toxic algae is...most people think its regular algae but its more like a putrified sludge of dead things.

[@inharmonywithearth9982]

The manatee are starving to death because FWC has been corrupted by the chemical toxin cartel and has been spraying all the water systems and turning them into dead zones

[@daviddesjarlais2764]

Can you guys help get my wife's story she's been severely I'll for ten years now we live close to cancer center the state only acknowledge dog death,I need help 🙏 thanks, people should be told truth

[@bstorm4413]

On April 22, 2011 Gov Rick Scott (who is now running for the senate) petitioned the federal EPA to turn EPA controls over to the state. In addition, he requested the 2009 numeric nutrient critera be withdrawn. Big Sugar, etc was able to fertilize as much as it wanted after the safety guidelines were removed. So 7 years later Florida is a toxic wasteland. Algea growth is directly tied to the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus available. Guess you better not vote Republican if you want clean water.

[@robertmclennan5310]

Guess you better "NOT" vote Republican if you want Clean Water., Clean Air, Cheaper Electricity, Better Schools, Health Care, Free Trade, Less Wars, job protections through Unions, Consumer protections, ect. Everything that was Great for America has been trashed by the current administration, and is making the US a 3rd world nation where only the Rich will survive!

[@BillyBob-dl3zc]

B Storm There’s your problem. You are so ready to make this a Republican problem. Is this a state problem or Federal or both??? I recall hearing the ‘dump’ by the army Corp of engineers started in 2016. That is because they reduced their goal for lake levels (by 3 feet). So was the army run by Republicans in 2016? Maybe you libtards should blame Bush. I mean he is the reason for all of the Hurricanes, right? And he left Obama with a mess right? And because of Bush - Obama was a failure. Do blame Bush. Or Russia. But no! Don’t you dare take one step and say this is ‘our problem.........an American problem.’ You libtards are so idiotic. Too busy kneeling. Too busy paying actors of chaos. Too busy blaming Russia. Too busy doing everything at blaming everybody else. Wow. Just wow.

[@bstorm4413]

Billy Bob sadly your lack of understanding on what it takes to GROW algae is showing. No where do you even acknowledge the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus required to nurture the algae bloom and sustain the growth. In stead you try and make this a problem of the Federal government, the Army Corps of Engineers, Bush, Obama and the Russians. I have a degree in microbiology, I KNOW what is required to grow algae, and what Rick Scott did made it all happen.

[@BillyBob-dl3zc]

B Storm Son, you need to read your post and the subsequent post. You ended and the next post picked up with ‘don’t vote republican.’ Did I cover that topic? Yes son, I did! I explained this is American problem! Now, I agree with you that Big Sugar is a problem! It’s fertilizers and such are a problem. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist or someone with such lofty attitude such as yours to simply ride by a cow pasture after they have used chicken s$it to fertilize with it and look at the pond that is laden with green film across its top! It doesn’t take that specialist to see what is going on! It pretty evident what nitrogen has done to those field and the pond(s) in the middle. Last time I checked - Farms are not Republicans or Democrats. They are everybody. We all eat stuff that comes from farms. So get off your high horse and suggest a solution instead of alienating 50% of Americans from your argument. If you would like to be such a lofty a$$ person with such high knowledge and opine while alienating your audience - then you can fix this problem with the ppl you have left around. I voted for Trump but he is not the problem to this. I would love to help Florida but if you pompous a$$ libtards want to alienate yourselves thinking you know best - then have it your way. I’ll stay away. And you can keep whining.

[@BillyBob-dl3zc]

B Storm And btw - you didn’t disagree w Robert McLennan. So evidently you have a problem w me using satire to say ‘blame the Russians.’ Sure blame conservatives (Republicans) for everything you don’t like. But when one of us responds - you want to state ‘oh I happen to know.....I happen to be an expect......I say don’t vote Republican.’ What a pathetic example you are.

[@u235u235u235]

don't move to the treasure coast since this problem doesn't appear to be going away any time soon. sugar industry is a multi billion dollar industry, they'll win. expect algae every few years with dumps of water from the lake.

[@raymondj8768]

PU

[@markditz6282]

Sad!

[@mrsmucha]

Real estate values will go down quickly.

[@robertmclennan5310]

Big Sugar owns the Republican Party in Florida!

[@robertmclennan5310]

Every Year! two weeks ago Tampa Public Works dumped 60 million gallons of RAW HUMAN SEWAGE into Tampa Bay! The currents will drag it South through the keys, and up the East Coast and eventually out to sea, and then to Europe!

[@b-kerbchek-k7582]

Back around 2005 Florida Gov had the option to buy a huge amount of land south of the lake and did nothing..... Florida has failed it's residents

[@tonyzarlenga]

B- KerbChek-K Sadly, the Great Recession was looming and it hit Florida hard, resulting in the State of Florida to cancel the sale because the funds for the purchase were not going to be available

[@ninehundreddollarluxuryyac5958]

Is there some way everybody living in the effected areas can bring a class action lawsuit against a collection of big agriculture companies responsible for the fertilizer pollution? We want enough to pay for the water retention and treatment or to bankrupt the companies, whichever comes first. In the event of bankruptcy, the state should buy up the land and either return it to nature or allow only buyers who install retention and treatment before farming again. This is fertilizer after all. Irrigating the crop with retention pond water adds back fertilizer which had run off. Why does it not make sense that farms should only be allowed to grow if they don't pollute? Why does my back yard need to be their toxic waste dump?

[@jophoenix3919]

take the dam out let the fields flood and don't give the sugar folks one cent!

[@ninehundreddollarluxuryyac5958]

I like the plan, except they'd just use more tax money to build it right back again. The root of the problem is the human being. You can't trust anyone to be in charge. The guy who wants authority so he can abuse it and get rich off of bribes will always fight harder and with more monied backing than the one who wants to set things right. The people should petition for a constitutional amendment that requires lawmakers to wear an audio recording device 24/7 from the time they are elected to when they leave office so we know exactly what they are doing on our behalf.

[@billiamc1969]

Wow...this is leadership failure at every level...

[@DDE_ADDICT]

most important if you eat any seafood from that area you will ingest the micotoxins as it enter trough the gill process and into marine life's gut. we are all fighting this even here in southern ontario our lakes are packed with this. these micotoxins can not be boiled or filtered out of water, so the global epidemic may be the super epidemic like a black plaque. we all need fresh clean water to survive. I am glad this is in the news. last year at a local lake it was covered in blue green algae i sampled it and used my lab to identify level 4 & 5 biotoxins. also if you must go in water put Vaseline on genitals and anus as they are points of entry for the toxins.

[@martiwaterman1437]

Floridians voted for Red State policies, so deal with it. EPA defunded and neutered. Politicians owned by corporations. You get what you pay for.

[@usaallstar1068]

Good reporting

[@salinasbeat]

no it's not! Big Sugar!!! do some research. All politicians paid off to allow this to happen. Catastrophic for all the wildlife.

[@darrenmensinger9590]

My opinion, on each out outlet creat UV sterilizer should help. Plus a massive filtration system. Also installing time released algae killing tablets. Also set up pumps to create water from becoming stagnate. Also regulate the companies that are adding pollutants to the water.

[@markditz6282]

Instead of twenty five minutes talking about the problem, start talking about the solution. The plantations need to go! Just take all the money the Republicans didn't report this year and buy all the plantation property to the south of Okeechobee for drainage. Problem solved!

[@jaddy540]

Sue the culprits that caused the problem. Don't charge the taxpayer for the fix.

[@markditz6282]

Somebody needs to formulate a plan of action if they haven't already. Seems like it would be reversible. Watched a documentary about the early cities dumping their waste out the window into the street. Finally they put a stop to it. This seems like the same thing but on a huge scale!

[@Shazzyhtown]

Gross.....hopefully something will be done. Florida heavily relies on tourism. No one will be vacationing where toxic algae is. I sure wouldn't.

[@1LaStoney]

Shazzy1228 cant believe our state is going down hill lile this

[@greennewdeal5539]

They elected Rick Scott and Marco Rubio. Call it karma.

[@janicelmckee]

Time to do your homework, folks, and vote with your wallets. Either give up sugar, or find a respectable substitute for cane sugar. The industry is off putting in so many ways. I kicked cane sugar out of my life quite awhile ago. We use organic coconut sugar, and very little of that. All processed foods are questionable, and yes, it’s all about money. There’s still enough healthy things to eat that provide a good varied diet without too much fuss. The problem is that the biggest offenders have been left to their own means for a very long time. It’s important to know where your foods come from and what the social and environmental consequences are for having them. After I did my research, I could never go back. What this industry has done to people is tragic.

[@terrybuchanan1]

super interesting compilation of such a complex situation

[@davesnothome1586]

But don't touch the Manatee. or you get fined.

[@mambowman]

this is so "americana" a slow moving train wreck fueled by unbridled greed

[@ritamariekelley4077]

Not one word about the sugar industry's culpability. Propaganda by omission.

[@jerryrubin7928]

After watching this presentation, it is not a political problem. It is a kill the sugar industry problem as well as getting rid of the animal farm problem. Man is treading where they shouldn’t be located.

[@Oceanbreeze-d9w]

This is a total disgrace! I had no idea that Florida is under such a horrific duress! Absolute shame!!

[@cookeish]

Phosphorous is it ... and STILL you will not ban it. You’ve killed yourselves with your greed. Good luck with your efforts here.

[@jameswaters3939]

Well produced documentary. The problem affects all South Floridians and one can only hope it gets rectified quickly.

[@apmartin4748]

Wow It's so easy we know what's causing it so just stop?

[@tmoe7843]

I’m sure every homeowner there has a beautiful home with a beautiful lawn. The ground can absorb only so much before it creeps into our water system. This is horrible.

[@jaysoncody8716]

Why did they empty the lake at the end of the dry season? Makes no since !!!

[@dafttool]

Wherever a red wave goes, pestilence & disease follow

[@snowmiser4893]

Divert it all to Mar-A-Lago.

[@richardfleer1905]

Amen. Dump it in truck loads. LOL!!!

[@johnrose1313]

I love that idea !!! But No !!

[@ogama843]

Why there? There are people who live there too! That wouldn’t solve anything!

[@fkujakedmyname]

and dump all the dead fish and animals at the gate

[@mrsmucha]

A good idea.

[@925-n5x]

What about eminent domain????

[@tonyabaker4907]

Do the Right Thing Fix It Put A Water Cleaning Plant Right in the Lake So Its Not Poisoning Other Waters, Animals, Plants, & Everglades!!

[@Captain_MonsterFart]

Are you trying to write a headline? You don't capitalize every word otherwise.

[@daviddreyer5817]

That is a good idea. But we need to do not put it in Lake Okeechobee in the first place. Phosphate Minening needs to shut down. Sugar Plantations must be eliminated. Cattle Ranches must collect their manure and dispose of it before it gets into the waterways. Proper Sewer Treatment must be had before it gets into the ground water. I am afraid if we just divert it into the Everglades it might be worst. We should treat the Everglades as a cess pool.

[@stevemitchem6041]

Maybe the State needs to focus on the septic problem first since all the underground leaking septic tanks are 60 percent of the problem.

[@ninehundreddollarluxuryyac5958]

This comment is 7 years later. Its gotten worse. Fish from Palm Beach to Key West are swimming in circles and dying. All the water is green with algae. The last coral in the continental US died from unusually hot water summer 2023. Tourists have died after swimming at Florida beaches from antibiotic resistant flesh eating bacteria that thrives on fertiliser pollution. Florida government has done nothing for 7 years after this and its worse now.

[@albertsheetz2788]

they must be getting paid off cuz normally the government would just come down the land and take it because it's for the good of the people and maybe that's what they should do

[@larrybooth1771]

As a Floridian I would think there should be some corporate value to extract the green algae for industrial purposes or form ecological purposes

[@janicelmckee]

Coult be, but look what you have to go through to grow it.

[@frlouiegoad4087]

1970 Was The good days!

[@kellyminid2922]

What about adding filter feeders (fresh water mussels) in Lake Okeechobee?. Use native mussels and grow them artificially. Farms are now using fertilizer sinks to get rid of the extra. Oxygenation would help too.

[@petuniaromania6294]

Wondering how continued sea-level rise will impact this part of the state.

[@racetrucks10]

Draw down lake O too 6 too 8 feet. Let the grass regrow and filter the water. Quit spraying the grass in Lake O because that's what filters the water. This is only the start too the fix.

[@tfboudreau]

Why doesn't the govt condemn the property and take it by eminent domain? it's obvious... The power of eminent domain allows the government to take private land for public purposes only if the government provides fair compensation to the property owner. The process through which the government acquires private property for public benefit is known as condemnation.

[@booreed7813]

How many millions of septic tanks were impacted with just this last hurricane? Yech!

[@thetruth4791]

Build water purification plants on the exits points of the Lake Also the the Water Flow through the Glades leave like it use to and the water will be filtered their as well leave it to Man to F things up

[@howtoteachscience]

Here in 2018, it's happening again and worse than all other times in the past. It's so bad, so much wildlife dying, just exactly how bad does it really have to get before something is done? Really? How bad?

[@jamessang5027]

Nobody knows what to do!

[@robertmclennan5310]

Can this algae be used to make "Biofuel?"

[@ronalove4421]

Robert McLennan 🤔🤔🤔

[@daviddreyer5817]

Robert McLennan , I think you are right. But realistically. the problem is so massive that it might take massive investments and take a long time to build the infrastructure. Would you play more to do do? I think is necessity!

[@asianseaanimals]

Nice sharing

[@lamageddon]

Sounds like someone needs to remind the Sugar Business about eminent domain. I think that sums it up.....

[@muddyriverdogz]

Army core of Engineers works for the same bunch the politician's do.

[@stevehall9256]

people have soiled their surroundings and now want us to pay for a solution

[@aerostaraircraftsanctuary604]

The companies, U.S. Sugar and Florida Crystals, have given $3.8 million and $2.2 million respectively to state candidates and their political committees in the 2022 election cycle,

[@Joeyd1184]

looks exactly like the hazardous waste in half-life 2

[@irishmailman2423]

No Problem! Florida has Ron DeSanitizer......... (Only takes 2 years to recognize problems!)

[@robertmclennan5310]

Dredge a cavity and lay the discharge pipe back to the clear water, and don't use the lock gates!

[@KurandaSharkstooth]

Ever since moving to Port Saint Lucie last year I have been trying to get local officialss to let me show them my solution that Would solve thee probleem 3months and maybe 6 month at a time, but each time as previously I am told to contact SFWMD. I write to them, call them and email them to no avail. So here I am and give me a respected platform and I will reveal a fe3asable plan...

[@ronalove4421]

KurandaSharkstooth Patent it@

[@DanishSpeakerChannel]

my pool looks like that :P

[@brendabrenda6738]

Why aren't they out cleaning it up?

[@kimberlyhoward4032]

Playing with mother nature instead of fixing the problem.

[@namesbrown5186]

Blame the phosphate mining induatry!

[@MrMacman71]

VOTE VOTE ALL OF THESE LIARS OUT!

[@johnrose1313]

Someone talked about state against feds . Florida doesn't have a state income taxes. That tax money would help now . do you think ??

[@dklb06]

Maybe it will show up on Mara Lago and the Swamp king himself will have the feast of his lifetime.

[@wanderdworld]

Big Sugar should meet Eminent Domain

[@kevinjules6071]

This is sad... $ will forever be the devil this seems to be an easy fix... but instead of our state officials not helping

[@jaddy540]

I am surprised that some 'Good old Boys' have not blown the dam years ago.

[@thomasmcdonald4836]

MagneGas may have a possible solution wonder if anyone has talked with them.

[@charzard7018]

Is Florida tired of winning yet

[@bobbytorres3807]

Terra Azul Tech has proven technology to treat HABs within days. We are here to help

[@smokezilla3975]

the people sould put a lawsuit on them i think its still not fix yet sed its spreading in the news i read today 2 years later

[@unconventionalme8048]

SORRY FLORIDA!!! You don't collect income tax, so how is it the nation's responsibility to pay for your problems??? And why you worried about "buying" land??? JUST LAY PIPES!!!! IT's THAT simple!!! Lay plastic pipes south alll the way down to the glades and any land it goes thru can deal with the temporary disturbances in the mean while

[@jhendricks203]

Sure stinks, smells like a politician. Funny how that makes sense...

[@jeffreyevans3160]

Can I get some SWEET TEA ?

[@janicelmckee]

Of course! Boil some water, steep some teabags according to directions. Sweeten to taste with organic coconut sugar, and chill. Carry some to work in a wide mouth jar. Save a buck, save a bottle, and feel good for being a tiny bit proactive. Everyone’s starting to do the small things now. It’s cool. 😎

[@activitiesforin11]

Notice how they didn't mention the name of the Blk company that solved the problem

[@DDE_ADDICT]

lets force jeff bozo from amazon to pay for it

[@stevenherrold5955]

this is just another reason why i'm glad i don't live anywhere near the sea . i have lived in kansas all my life and my only complaint is it can get hot in summer for while and sometimes we might see 10 to 12 inches of snow in the winter. THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT LIVING HERE IS JOBS SCHOOLS PARKS SHOPPING ETC if you go further north or east it gets colder and much more snow but otherwise i love it hear if your not in kansas maybe you should try it topeka has more to offer then you would . expect population 130 .000 and nobody is paying me to say that . if this problem was in kansas i would pull up stakes and move LIKE THE NARRATOR SAID THE SMELL IS AS GROSS AS IT LOOKS AND I BELIEVE HER YOU COULD NOT PAY ENOUGH TO LIVE THERE

[@shakura6476]

Cancel Trump's Military Parade and use those billions to fix this problem.

[@nadineblack8102]

The environment is being killed and the killers have names.

[@cesarsoto8038]

I wanna say , let's pick it up and let it dry , then it could be decomposed by recycling somehow

[@upinyou8]

Ban lawns! Problem solved

[@koudousmoutairou6074]

I hope republicans and democrats are hearing this. Shut your trap already about which party is best for which group of people.

[@mr.jazzbodkelsey58]

My ex-girlfriend is the REAL "Toxin lady". *Shwiiiing*

[@dougtemple6756]

Lake Erie was polluted in the sixties and seventies nothing Gru, we must have environmental regulations and when you bankrupt the government you don't have any power behind the government regulations, a big business can't responsibly use the investment money that 401k is give it something has to change

[@ytSuns26]

Looks like millions of pounds of good fertilizer. Needs to be harvested and recycled as dry fertilizer. It’s big Sugar, plain and simple. Nelson has done nothing at all. The USA pays more for sugar than the rest of the World, why to make big sugar competing. The import duty on sugar needs to be dropped, let big sugar go broke. We don’t need big sugar at all.

[@joblack420]

Say No to all that big grows 🛑 growing There is a lot of place all over the u.s.

[@loantran-thanh7795]

And you still have people who don’t add up their actions on nature p climate change...the algae crisis seems to have appeared in many places in the world. Even by the river where I live in France, we do have algae

[@mr.jazzbodkelsey58]

Times like these, I'm ashamed to be a part of the human infestation..

[@mkgreen9750]

When CO2 rises and ultraviolet energy increases, Cyanobacteria produce hydrocarbons and molecular Oxygen like during the Great Oxidative Event.

[@Bradimoose]

Good documentary, the state is still screwed. If anything it's worse now. Indian river collapsed, Tampa bay is collapsing.

[@ThePaigeMa5ter]

The solution seems pretty obvious. It makes sense to buy the land, get trump involved...rooting for you Florida.

[@albertsheetz2788]

condemned the land

[@chrissyb7541]

They need a really good filter , but if it was me get the stuff and throw it at the sugar industry and have a meeting and see if they like to drink green water , speak up and fight

[@apmartin4748]

It's like a 10K lbs turd in your front yard :}

[@highimfrost]

First Nations, Indigenous People not Indian, we aren't from India. We are the Original People. Please be accurate, you're the news, for goodness sake.

[@inshorehogs8833]

we need to fix this rick scott is a bum

[@waynehooper9093]

Blame Rick Scott for his Climate Change denial policy. Vote Democratic this Fall.