Florida environmental advocates push for cleaner water

Florida environmental groups are urging state authorities to make protection of its water resources a priority in the 2014 legislative session in an effort to address the issue of water pollution. A large number of dolphins, manatees and pelicans have died in the Indian River Lagoon in 2013 due to water pollution. Investigations have blamed on pollution from a 146%artificial expansion of the lagoon's watershed and rapid coastal development for these deaths. The polluted water has caused large algae blooms in the estuaries of both rivers, resulting in severe environmental damage. A bill has been proposed to make mandatory the best management practices for agricultural producers to address these issues.