2014 Toxic Algae State Survey
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Transcript of 2014 Toxic Algae State Survey
Harmful Algal Blooms in Freshwater: 2014 State Survey Conducted by the National Wildlife Federation and Resource Media
Name: Title: Division: Department: State: Phone/Email: Each year, toxic algae outbreaks, or harmful algal blooms, in fresh waters create a major threat to human health, fish and wildlife, outdoor recreation and tourism-‐dependent economies. The leading causes of harmful algal blooms (HABs) are chemical fertilizer and livestock waste runoff from agriculture operations; failing septic systems and residential lawn fertilizer are also contributing factors in some areas. Factors such as increasing pollution, along with climate change-‐related factors (such as warmer waters and more intense precipitation events) are causing HABs to increase in number and size. In 2013, the National Wildlife Federation and Resource Media (a non-‐profit PR firm specializing in environmental and public health issues) began monitoring lake closures and health advisories to track the spread of HABs. We developed an online map and a report that were released at the end of September 2013. This year, we are conducting a fifty state survey that will help us develop a fuller picture of how HABs are handled across the country. So as to enable state agencies to learn more about how their neighboring states are tackling this important issue, the information submitted will not be anonymous and will be made public in the form of a report. This information will also help to inform the public about the risks of HABs in the states where they live or vacation. We hope you will take a few minutes to fill out this simple online survey; it should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete. We kindly ask that responses be submitted by March 15, 2014. Note: For the purposes of this survey, “state” refers to any and all state government departments working on harmful algal blooms. Assessing the Seriousness of HABs
1. Each year, HABs impact water bodies across the US. To what extent are HABs a serious issue in your state?
a. Very serious b. Somewhat serious c. Not very serious d. Not an issue
2. Which best characterizes the frequency and geographic distribution of HABs
in your state? a. HABs occur every year in many lakes and/or other fresh water bodies
in my state. b. HABs occur occasionally in one or two lakes in my state. c. HABs rarely occur in my state. d. HABs do not occur in my state. e. HABS may well occur in my state but the state does not monitor it
enough to know the extent. f. Personally, I don’t know if HABs occur in my state.
3. Which best characterizes your state’s approach to tracking HABs? [Check all
that apply] a. My state actively monitors all public access lakes/water bodies for
HABs. b. My state actively monitors some public access lakes/water bodies that
have experienced HABs in the past. c. My state has a system of randomly testing for HABs. d. My state relies on local municipalities and members of the public to
report HABs. e. My state does not track HABs.
4. Does your state track, or has your state studied, any of the following impacts of HABs? (Check all that apply)
a. Human mortalities b. Emergency Room admissions c. Animal mortalities d. Fishery closures e. Beach closures f. Property values (in relation to HAB proximity) g. Tourism statistics (in relation to HABs) h. Other (please specify)
5. Does your state have a hotline for people to call if they suspect a HAB?
a. Yes b. No
Public Information
6. Which best characterizes your state’s approach to alerting the public about HABs? (Please check all that apply.)
a. My state issues health advisories when HABs are detected, or when concentrations of harmful algae reach a certain level.
b. My state issues beach or lake closures to protect the public from HABs.
c. My state alerts the local media about HABs and/or health advisories with a press release or press advisory.
d. My state provides information about the location and/or severity of HABs on a publicly available website (please provide URL).
e. My state distributes information about HABs via an email newsletter or email alert system.
f. My state posts signs at HAB impacted beaches/lakes/communities to educate local residents and visitors.
g. My state provides residents adjacent to impacted areas with information about HABs via the mail.
h. My state manages a Facebook page or uses Twitter to announce HABs and associated health advisories and beach closures (please provide links).
i. My state provides general education to the public about what to do if they suspect a HAB.
j. My state provides information to those who request it. k. Other (please describe).
7. Does your state issue HAB public warnings and advisories based on World
Health Organization guidelines? a. Yes b. No (Please specify what threshold levels your state does use.)
8. Does your state track historic data on HABs?
a. Yes (Please describe process and specify how long tracking has taken place)______________
b. No
9. If yes, does your state provide public access to historic data on HABs? a. Yes (Please describe how)______________ b. No
Action
10. Does your state run a harmful algal bloom program (i.e. with dedicated staff, a budget, a planning process)?
a. Yes (If yes, please describe nature of the program – e.g. research, monitoring, education, outreach, etc)
b. No
11. If your state does run a harmful algal bloom program, does the program receive dedicated funding?
a. Yes (Please describe) b. No c. N/A
12. If your state does not run a harmful algal bloom program, under which program does HAB work fall? (Please specify)
13. Your state (check all that apply):
a. Is actively addressing known causes of HABS (e.g., addressing nutrient sources, specifically or generally)
b. Is actively investigating the causes of HABs c. Is actively coordinating with other institutions working on HABs
(please specify which institutions) d. Has addressed or investigated the causes of HABs in the past e. Has coordinated with other institutions working on HABs in the past
(please specify which institutions) f. Has future plans to address or investigate the causes of HABs g. None of the above
14. EPA is planning a summer outreach campaign about HABs. Would you be
interested in learning more about EPA’s outreach effort? a. Yes b. No
Comments: