The overwhelming majority of manatee deaths have been within the Indian River Lagoon, a biologically numerous east coast estuary that has been plagued with water high quality issues and widespread seagrass losses. Photo courtesy the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
A brand new lawsuit is urgent Florida’s high environmental chief to deal with wastewater issues contributing to an unprecedented manatee die-off within the Indian River Lagoon.
The lawsuit is over leaky septic tanks and sewage spills which have helped result in widespread water high quality issues and seagrass losses within the Indian River Lagoon.
The misplaced seagrass has left manatees ravenous. A file 1,100 manatees died final yr in Florida, and mortalities this yr are on observe for one more close to-file.
A central Florida-based non-revenue referred to as Bear Warriors United filed the lawsuit below the Endangered Species Act. Manatees are listed federally as threatened.
The lawsuit is towards Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton. The company didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The litigation is the newest over Florida’s ailing manatees. Other lawsuits have focused water pollution and misplaced habitat.