NEWS

Door County man testifies at U.S. Senate subcommittee about harmful algae blooms

From Staff Reports
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Patrick Neu, far right, of Forestville testifies at a U.S. Senate subcommittee hearing.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A Door County man provided testimony Tuesday about the harmful effects of algae blooms at a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate.

Algae blooms effect tourism and public health in Wisconsin and the nation, said Patrick Neu, a longtime angler from Forestville. He spoke at a hearing of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard. Neu was asked to speak to the subcommittee by Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin.

Neu, who is director of the National Professional Anglers Association, said his members "are literally on the front line when it comes to harmful algal blooms."

The blooms are depleting fishing opportunities and damaging fishing-dependent businesses, Neu said. 

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The Senate recently passed a bill about algae blooms, and the legislation is pending with the U.S. House of Representatives. Baldwin worked with a bipartisan coalition to pass the bill, which gives communities tools to address water quality challenges and identify the local factors driving toxic environmental hazards.