We need your help. The state’s triennial review of water quality standards is under way and Friday, November 22, is the deadline to ask the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to establish strict numeric standards for cyanotoxins to protect public health.

We know that drinking, touching, and even breathing algae-borne toxins can cause skin rashes, eye irritation, nose and throat irritation and breathing difficulty, stomach and intestinal problems, and liver damage. Additionally researchers have linked these toxins to increased risks of liver failure, ALS, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and multiple cancers.

This week we joined the Center for Biological Diversity and other conservation groups calling on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to establish legal limits for cyanotoxins that pose severe health risks to people and wildlife. The standards will help trigger public notifications when blooms are dangerous and will contribute to long-term planning to curtail the pollution and alter the water-management practices that contribute to the outbreaks.

We need you to add your voice to ours. (You don’t have to be a Florida resident to participate). 

in**@bu*******.org&subject=Triennial%20Review%20of%20Florida’s%20Water%20Quality%20Standards&body=Dear%20Official,%20Please%20adopt%20the%202016%20EPA%20draft%20recommended%20water%20quality%20criteria%20of%204%20micrograms%20per%20liter%20for%20microcystin%20and%208%20micrograms%20per%20liter%20for%20cylindrospermopsin%20to%20best%20protect%20recreational%20users%20and%20restore%20Florida%E2%80%99s%20imperiled%20waters.”>Email your comments to the Corps directly to Ka************@FL********.gov by in**@bu*******.org&subject=Triennial%20Review%20of%20Florida’s%20Water%20Quality%20Standards&body=Dear%20Official,%20Please%20adopt%20the%202016%20EPA%20draft%20recommended%20water%20quality%20criteria%20of%204%20micrograms%20per%20liter%20for%20microcystin%20and%208%20micrograms%20per%20liter%20for%20cylindrospermopsin%20to%20best%20protect%20recreational%20users%20and%20restore%20Florida%E2%80%99s%20imperiled%20waters.”>clicking here to open a pre-formatted email windowin**@bu*******.org&subject=Triennial%20Review%20of%20Florida’s%20Water%20Quality%20Standards&body=Dear%20Official,%20Please%20adopt%20the%20most%20protective%20water%20quality%20criteria%20for%20cyanotoxins%20that%20would%20protect%20recreational%20users%20and%20restore%20Florida%E2%80%99s%20imperiled%20waters.”>. Feel free to add your own story and click “send.” 

Please don’t wait. Your health and the health of the ones you love deserves real protection.

Today is Give Miami Day!

From midnight to midnight you have the chance to participate in South Florida’s biggest annual day for charitable giving to non-profit organizations. Please consider supporting our affiliated organization, Friends of the Everglades, founded by Marjory Stoneman Douglas, in their efforts to preserve, protect and restore the only Everglades in the world. You can donate now by clicking here.