Ecosystem and labor under attack in Florida

Recent discussions in coastal Florida expressed concerns about future red tide outbreaks and possible measures to prevent them..

Some details from a recent public forum (2/22/06) about red tide prevention near Sarasota;

Red tide is an outbreak of algae bloom (Harmful Algae Bloom) caused by a phytoplankton that feeds off excess nutrients in the Gulf and other ocean waters. Usually the primary source of input is from agriculture and other inorganic applied fertilizer run off into waterways..

This article from Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution provides info on causes of red tide outbreaks;

"Red Tide and Dead Zones"
http://www.whoi.edu/oceanus/viewArticle.do?id=2487

"The most widespread, chronic environmental problem in the coastal ocean is caused by an excess of chemical nutrients. Over the past century, a wide range of human activities—the intensification of agriculture, waste disposal, coastal development, and fossil fuel use—has substantially increased the discharge of nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients into the environment. These nutrients are moved around by streams, rivers, groundwater, sewage outfalls, and the atmosphere and eventually end up in the ocean.

Once they reach the ocean, nutrients stimulate the growth of tiny marine plants called phytoplankton or algae. When the concentration of nutrients is too high, this growth becomes excessive, leading to a condition called eutrophication."

Some suggested solution to reducing the input of chemical nutrients is using native plants for landscaping. Native plants are plants that are indigenous to the Florida ecosystem and generally do not require any fertilizer or other chemical pesticide input. Native plants also provide pollinator insects and endangered species with habitat, also require less water as they evolved together with Florida's hot and seasonal water variations..

Some web sites with more info on native plants;

Florida Native Nurseries;
http://www.afnn.org/search_afnn.asp?n=22

Florida Native Plant Society;
http://www.fnps.org/

Other factors contributing to nutrient runoff are not as easily prevented as changing plants used in landscaping. Many developers attempt to use turf grasses in excess near watersheds. These turf grasses require mowing, fertilizer applications and other chemical inputs. There are also other options to turf, including ground cover plants and native grasses. The monolithic turf lawn can also be made more friendly to biodiversity by including buffers and lawn beds with native flowers to break up the monoculture lawn..

Florida's agriculture also depends on excess input of fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc..

Here is an issue where both farm workers and eco-activists can share common ground. The dependency of agriculture corporations on petrochemically derived fertilizer/pesticides is toxic to both farm workers and the ecosystem/watershed. Here coalition groups can organize together to encourage agriculture corporations to decrease their dependency on petrochemical pesticides/fertilizers and instead increase IPM (Intergrated Pest Management) strategies including beneficial insects, organic pesticides and time release organic fertilizers..

Following these simple measures both farm workers and eco-activists can feel safer. Recently a rally of immigrant workers in Ft. Myers Florida expressed their desire to be treated with respect. This includes fair wages, non-discrimination and a safe workplace. Immigrant farm workers should not be placed at risk for cancer, hormone distruption and other illness by repeated exposure to petrochemical toxic pesticides..

Other issues discussed at Sarasota/Manatee Sierra Club meeting 2/21/06;

Isaac Group Holdings development corporation recently bought land to build parking garages in downtown Sarasota. Real estate prices skyrocket as taxpayer subsidized developers cater to the wealthy. Houseless people are criminalized for sleeping in public under both Sarasota and Bradenton "no camping" ordinances. Workers paid near or below minimum wage build houses far out in the suburbs, yet affordable housing remains a pipe dream. As McMansions with monoculture lawns replace oak woodlands, wetlands and other ecosystems needed for providing oxygen, cool shade and flooding buffers, traffic and smog increases asthma and respiratory ailments. Public transit and affordable pedestrian friendly housing or suburban sprawl and smoggy air?

Sarasota Homeless Coalition;
http://www.sarasotahomeless.org/

http://saveoursarasota.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_saveoursarasota_archive.html

One obvious way of reducing petroleum dependecy is promoting and providing more effective public transit;

American Public Transit Association;
http://www.apta.com/

Charlotte County is involved in legal action with Mosaic phosphate mine. Phosphate mines contribute a great deal of phosphate chemicals as run off into watersheds. Many phosphate corporations economically coerce non-unionized workers to rapidly mine the phosphate, then after a few years close down the plants, leaving toxic pollutants and unemployment as their legacy..

general info on phosphate mines;
http://www.fluoridealert.org/phosphate/overview.htm

Mosaic phosphate mine in Tampa;
http://www.baysoundings.com/sum05/phosphate23.html

Dept. of Fish and Wildlife is planning to capture and relocate the Florida panthers out of state, possibly development influenced. The two initiators for this idea are believed to be residing at Casa Blanca on Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington DC., and his kin residing at the Governer's mansion off North Monroe Street in Tallahassee. Maybe someone can capture, tag and relocate these two individuals and return them to their ranch in Texas..

One of many groups trying to save the Florida panther;

http://www.panthersociety.org/index.html

Citizens for Sensible Growth have petitions to prevent suburban sprawl from destroying the ecosystems around Sarasota..

http://www.sarasotacitizens.org/

Sarasota Interstate Park of Commerce has bulldozed oak scrub habitat, lawsuit pending..

Lockheed Martin claims they want to help clean up a groundwater toxic waste plume, yet is not coopertive with the community of Tallevast. Lockheed failed to notify residents they were appearing at their homes to test water.

http://www.environmentalhealthnews.org/archives.jsp?sm=fl8%3Bcoverage7%3BFloridafl13%3Bpublishername16%3BBradenton+Herald

Harardous Substance Research Center;
http://www.hsrc.org/hsrc/html/ssw/manatee.html


For more info on Sarasota/Manatee ecological concerns, visit the Sierra Club chapter;

http://florida.sierraclub.org/sarasota/

Recently there was an Earth First! gathering in Florida. For those unable to attend, it would be important to have an imc article about some issues discussed, and if there is any possiblity for EF! chapters in FL. The ecosystem in Florida is unique and needs diverse activist groups covering the many problems coming from corporate development intrusion..

http://earthfirst.org.uk/actionreports/?q=node/117

Fight against Scripps;

"Eco-rebellion stirring in the swamps"
http://www.earthfirstjournal.org/articles.php?a=859