Kaptur introduces bill to promote algal bloom research

SANDUSKY — U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, and other House members have introduced a bipartisan bill to promote research in how to deal with the algal bloom problem in Lake Erie and other areas of the U.S.The measure already has passed the Senate, inspiring confidence it will become law.The Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2017, known as H.R. 4417, has several provisions, including:• Reauthorizing federal legislation through 2023 to help coastal communities deal with harmful algal blooms• Increases cooperation between government agencies at the federal, state and local level to deal with algal bloom outbreaks• Sets up process to declare an "Event of National Significance" when a harmful algal bloom occurs, triggering federal aid that's similar to disaster relief aid• Allowing private donations to help fund relief when a nationally-significant algal bloom event occurs• Directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to set up a website dealing with algal bloom research"A key component of addressing our shared challenge of harmful algal blooms is to improve our understanding of when and where algal blooms will occur. After the massive algal bloom we had this summer with over 1,000 square miles of Lake Erie affected, the research our bill advances is more critical than ever. 11 million people rely on Lake Erie for drinking water and it is incumbent upon us to protect this precious natural resource," Kaptur said.The main author of the bill is U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, an Oregon Democrat. Co-sponsors include U.S. Rep. David Joyce, an Ohio Republican who often has been a Kaptur ally on Great Lakes issues."It's time for us to better understand the effects of harmful algal blooms so we can do what is needed to address them," Joyce said.The bill has been referred to the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.The Senate version of the bill, sponsored by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, already has passed the Senate, said Josh Stewart, a spokesman for Kaptur. Kaptur expects the measure to pass the House, too, he said."Kaptur is very optimistic, given the broad bipartisan agreement and that this bill has already passed the Senate," Stewart said.Reach reporter Tom Jackson at jackson@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @jacksontom.U.S. Rep. Marcy KapturRob Portman