Leaders, groups to talk about red tide crisis in Clearwater

Leaders from several environmental groups will gather at Pier 60 in Clearwater on Thursday to discuss the ongoing red tide crisis.

Members from Our Future Florida, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Action Fund, Indivisible FL-13, Indivisible Safety Harbor, Suncoast Sierra Club and Suncoast Surfriders plan to ask Gov Rick Scott, R-Florida, to take action.

“Florida’s waters, shores and wildlife have been decimated by a combination of toxic algae and what has been called the worst red tide bloom in a decade, but instead of prioritizing Florida’s unique environment, Rick Scott gutted the Department of Environmental Protection and favored environmentally harmful policies in order to appease campaign donors,” the groups said in a collective statement.

They’ll meet at Pier 60 at 10 a.m.

Meanwhile, Clearwater city leaders and organizers of the Hooters Clearwater Super Boat National Championship will meet at noon to discuss how the event will go on.

City officials want to make sure the public knows that the affects of red tide have been minimal off Clearwater and it should in no way affect the boat race.

Governor Scott’s office sent the following to News Channel 8:

One more thing to note is that under Governor Scott, the budget for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has increased by nearly $300 million ($299,513,394) from $1.48 billion in 2010-2011 to 1.78 billion in 2018-2019.