In rural Florida, locals suspect a mining company is to blame for their flooding troubles. Residents are trying to connect the dots between hurricanes, high radium levels, and a mineral mining giant next door.
Water Quality
Posted inWater Quality
Can You Replace the River in Your Backyard?
The Sulphur Springs Pool was formerly a mainstay for recreation in the Florida heat for residents of the community. But in May 2024, the city of Tampa announced that the pool would be closed indefinitely for repair. Now both the pool and the nearby spring are off limits to the community – one that was previously known for the healing qualities of its mineral-rich waters.
Posted inWater Quality
Red Alert
Redfish are big, brawny fighters and key contributors to Florida’s $13.8 billion recreational fishing industry. But redfish have a weak spot: They faithfully return to the same waters each year to spawn. This past fall, Hurricane Ian and red tide hit West Central Florida at a critical spawning time, delivering a one-two punch to a fish that is back in the conservation spotlight.
Posted inWater Quality
Hope for a Languishing Lagoon
In the Indian River Lagoon of 20 years ago, Capt. Billy Rotne could hook a spotted seatrout on cast after cast. But today, the lagoon’s seatrout numbers are 90 to 95% below historic levels. After a decade of intense algal blooms, the Lagoon is making fragile gains. “We’re about halfway home,” says one expert.