    [Senate Hearing 115-226]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                           S. Hrg. 115-226

                                THREATS FACING
                        FLORIDA'S TOURISM DRIVEN ECONOMY

    =======================================================================

                                 FIELD HEARING

                                   before the

                             COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
                          SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
                              UNITED STATES SENATE

                         ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                                   __________

                                AUGUST 10, 2017

                                   __________

        Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
                                 Transportation

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                    Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov

                                        ______

                             U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

    29-979 PDF                     WASHINGTON : 2018

           SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

                         ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                       JOHN THUNE, South Dakota, Chairman
    ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi         BILL NELSON, Florida, Ranking
    ROY BLUNT, Missouri                  MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
    TED CRUZ, Texas                      AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
    DEB FISCHER, Nebraska                RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut
    JERRY MORAN, Kansas                  BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
    DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska                 EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts
    DEAN HELLER, Nevada                  CORY BOOKER, New Jersey
    JAMES INHOFE, Oklahoma               TOM UDALL, New Mexico
    MIKE LEE, Utah                       GARY PETERS, Michigan
    RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin               TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
    SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia  TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
    CORY GARDNER, Colorado               MAGGIE HASSAN, New Hampshire
    TODD YOUNG, Indiana                  CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO, Nevada
                           Nick Rossi, Staff Director
                     Adrian Arnakis, Deputy Staff Director
                        Jason Van Beek, General Counsel
                     Kim Lipsky, Democratic Staff Director
                  Chris Day, Democratic Deputy Staff Director
                          Renae Black, Senior Counsel

                                C O N T E N T S

                                  ----------
                                                                       Page
    Hearing held on August 10, 2017..................................     1
    Statement of Senator Nelson......................................     1

                                   Witnesses

    Dr. Paul Sanberg, Senior Vice President, Research, Innovation,
      and Knowledge Enterprise, University of South Florida; and
      President, National Academy of Inventors, on Behalf of Judy
      Genshaft, President, University Of South Florida...............     2
    Rick Kriseman, Mayor, St. Petersburg, Florida....................     3
    George Cretekos, Mayor, Clearwater, Florida......................     3
    Janet Long, Chair, County Commission; and Chair, Tourist
      Development Council............................................     4
    Sherry L. Larkin, Ph.D., Professor, Food and Resource Economics
      Department, Associate Dean for Research and Associate Director,
      Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, Institute of Food and
      Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida (UF/IFAS).........     7
        Prepared statement...........................................     9
    Robin A. Sollie, IOM, FCCP--President/CEO, Tampa Bay Beaches
      Chamber of Commerce............................................    15
        Prepared statement...........................................    18
    Maryann Ferenc, Chief Executive Officer, Mise en Place, Inc.; and
      Member, Board of Directors, U.S. Travel Association............    23
        Prepared statement...........................................    25
    Mitchell A. Roffer, President, Roffer's Ocean Fishing Forecasting
      Service Inc.; and Adjunct Faculty, Florida Institute of
      Technology, Department of Ocean Engineering and Sciences.......    29
        Prepared statement...........................................    32

                                    Appendix

    Letter dated August 7, 2017 to Senator Bill Nelson from Terry A.
      Gans, Mayor, Town of Longboat Key..............................    55
    Letter dated August 24, 2017 from Nan Summers, Grants
      Coordinator, Parks and Natural Resources Department, Manatee
      County, Florida................................................    57

                                THREATS FACING
                        FLORIDA'S TOURISM DRIVEN ECONOMY

                                  ----------

                           THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2017

                                           U.S. Senate,
            Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
                                                    St. Petersburg, FL.
        The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 1 p.m. at the
    University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, University Student
    Center, 200 6th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida, Hon.
    Bill Nelson, presiding.
        Present: Senator Nelson [presiding].

                OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. BILL NELSON,
                       U.S. SENATOR FROM FLORIDA

        Senator Nelson. This meeting of the Senate Commerce
    Committee will commence. Thank all of you for coming. This is
    an overwhelming outpouring of interest in the subject matter of
    today's hearing. Thank you all very much for coming.
        This is an official meeting of the Senate Commerce,
    Science, and Transportation Committee. It is a field hearing.
        As we start the meeting, let's welcome the U.S. Naval
    Suncoast Squadron's Sea Cadet Corps, and they are going to lead
    us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
        Cadets?
        [Pledge of Allegiance.]
        Senator Nelson. And if you will remain standing, I'd like
    to call on Reverend Watson Hayes, Executive Director of the
    Pinellas County Urban League, for the invocation.
        Pastor?
        [Invocation.]
        Senator Nelson. Well, we are so grateful to our host. I
    want to have one of them to say a word before we get started in
    the Committee hearing. Though President Genshaft couldn't be
    with us, we have several of her very capable colleagues from
    the University, and a special thanks to the College of Marine
    Sciences for its high-caliber research into our vast natural
    resources.
        Thanks also to the City of St. Pete, Pinellas County, for
    hosting us and to our colleagues, Kathy Castor, Charlie Crist,
    who represent this area so ably in the U.S. Congress. Thank you
    for being here.
        I'm pleased that so many of our colleagues are here--also
    County Commissioner Janet Long, St. Petersburg Mayor Rick
    Kriseman, Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos, and Dr. Paul
    Sanberg from USF.
        So I'd like to ask, Dr. Sanberg, if you might give us some
    words of greeting.

               STATEMENT OF DR. PAUL SANBERG, SENIOR VICE

             PRESIDENT, RESEARCH, INNOVATION, AND KNOWLEDGE

              ENTERPRISE, UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA; AND

               PRESIDENT, NATIONAL ACADEMY OF INVENTORS,

                 ON BEHALF OF JUDY GENSHAFT, PRESIDENT,

                      UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

        Dr. Sanberg. Sure. Thank you, Senator Nelson.
        Ranking Member Nelson, my name is, again, Paul Sanberg, and
    I'm the Senior Vice President, USF, for Research, Innovation,
    and Knowledge Enterprise, and also President of the National
    Academy of Inventors. I'm honored to be here on behalf of
    President Judy Genshaft and the University of South Florida
    system. It's our great pleasure to host the Senate Commerce,
    Science, and Transportation Committee for this important field
    hearing on the threats facing Florida's tourism driven economy.
        Thank you, Senator Nelson, for bringing us together here at
    the beautiful USF St. Pete campus.
        I'd just like to ask any St. Pete or USF, in general,
    system faculty, staff, students to please stand, just to show
    your support here.
        [Applause.]
        Dr. Sanberg. We would also like to recognize Congresswoman
    Castor and Congressman Crist for their participation in today's
    hearing. Thank you also to St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman,
    Clearwater Mayor George Cretekos, and Pinellas County
    Commissioner Janet Long, who have joined us today. Welcome,
    everyone.
        Across the USF system, researchers work daily on solving
    global issues, including the health and sustainability of our
    beautiful natural environment. The people of Florida are served
    by world class independent research institutions which conduct
    the most rigorous and credible science possible. The Federal
    Government is a vital partner in this important endeavor.
        Many of you will remember the important role that science
    played in responding when our tourism economy was threatened
    because of an environmental disaster, the 2010 Deepwater
    Horizon spill. Because our state had invested in research
    vessels operated by the Florida Institute of Oceanography, and
    because we had advanced instrumentation and world class
    expertise, researchers from USF and across Florida were among
    the first to begin an independent analysis of the spill's
    impact.
        In the immediate aftermath of the spill, we are grateful to
    have had the leadership of Senator Nelson, Congresswoman
    Castor, and Congressman Crist to sustain and move this massive
    scientific effort forward. These three public servants played
    pivotal roles that enabled a robust examination of the spill's
    impact to continue. As a result, Florida citizens are more
    informed stewards in our fragile environment.
        Our strong partnership in supporting education and research
    remains one of Florida's most important tools in securing a
    healthy, safe, and successful future. We are delighted to have
    the opportunity this morning to share the research our
    university faculty are working on with the staff from the
    Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. We look
    forward to learning more about the Committee's interest during
    this afternoon's hearing, as well as hearing testimony from the
    distinguished panelists.
        Thank you very much.
        Senator Nelson. Thank you so much.
        I'd like to introduce and recognize two family members.
    First of all, my wife of 45 and a half years, Grace Nelson.
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. And Dr. Charles Crist, Charlie's dad. Would
    you stand up and be recognized?
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. Now, we're very fortunate to have our two
    mayors with us, and I want you all to bring us some greetings.
        Mayor Kriseman?

                  STATEMENT OF RICK KRISEMAN, MAYOR,
                        ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA

        Mr. Kriseman. Thank you, Senator.
        Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Rick Kriseman. I'm the
    Mayor of St. Petersburg, and on behalf of myself and my City
    Council members, many of which are here with us today, we want
    to welcome you to the Sunshine City of St. Petersburg and to
    the beautiful USF St. Pete campus. My thanks to Senator Bill
    Nelson for his leadership in Washington, his work on this
    important committee, and his strong advocacy for Floridians
    every single day.
        As everyone knows, tourism is vital to our economy here in
    St. Pete and to cities big and small throughout the state of
    Florida. So I thank you, Senator, for addressing threats to our
    tourism-based economy and for your past and future actions to
    prevent such threats.
        Senator Nelson, Congresswoman Castor, and Congressman Crist
    all have strong track records on these issues, and I thank them
    for everything that they've done for our state, our county, and
    our city. And, in particular, I thank them for being such great
    partners with the City of St. Petersburg.
        Welcome, everyone.
        Senator Nelson. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. Mr. Mayor?

                 STATEMENT OF GEORGE CRETEKOS, MAYOR,
                          CLEARWATER, FLORIDA

        Mr. Cretekos. Thank you, Senator. Thank you for being here.
    Thank you to everybody who has joined us.
        You know, Pinellas County, Clearwater, is number one in
    tourism because we understand how important it is for our
    tourist industry partners to work with government, and we thank
    the Federal Government for the leadership that you, Senator,
    and our representatives, Crist and Castor, have provided, and
    even Governor Scott, in making sure that our legislature and
    our residents understand that we are competing not against each
    other, but we're competing against the world to bring tourists
    to Pinellas County, to the state of Florida.
        We've done a very good job with that, and our industry
    partners understand that they are in a service industry, that
    they provide hospitality, and the reason we've been so
    successful is because they and their staffs do that, and we
    would appreciate you all taking that message back to Washington
    and to those in Tallahassee so that they can understand that
    tourism provides jobs and provides growth in the state of
    Florida.
        One other thing I need to mention. We also have to protect
    beach re-nourishment and the importance of offshore oil
    drilling, and, Senator, thank you for your leadership in that
    regard. We cannot allow rumors to circulate around the world
    that Florida is contaminated when that has never been the case.
        So thank you, Senator, for allowing me to be here today.
        Senator Nelson. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. Commissioner?

     STATEMENT OF JANET LONG, CHAIR, COUNTY COMMISSION; AND CHAIR,
                      TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

        Ms. Long. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to all of you
    for being here on this glorious afternoon in Pinellas County.
    Senator Nelson, you have been our champion, and we are so
    grateful that you are bringing this United States Committee
    field hearing today on this beautiful campus of USF. As Chair
    of the County Commission this year and Chair of the Tourist
    Development Council, I am grateful and sincerely appreciate
    everyone who is here, taking their time out of their busy
    schedule to attend what is going to be one of the biggest
    issues going forward in our county.
        Tourism is our number one industry, and not only here, but
    throughout the state of Florida. This industry provides to us,
    right here in Pinellas County, 100,000 jobs for our county
    residents, and it drives--are you ready for this? This is a
    really big number--$9 billion, $9 billion in revenue and
    economic impact to this county every single year. In July, it
    was the 47th straight month of year-over-year tourist
    development tax growth for Pinellas County. But the threats
    that this county faces in our industry from beach erosion to
    red tide to the potential of increased offshore drilling, is
    very real.
        So I look forward this afternoon to hearing the testimony
    and hope to get a better understanding of the diversity and the
    severity of the threats that face our industry.
        So thank you, Senator, for your leadership, and our Federal
    delegation. What would we do without you?
        Senator Nelson. Thank you.
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. You might be also interested to know that
    in the midst of everything you see that looks like it's
    dysfunctional in Washington, Marco Rubio and I actually get
    along. And, of course, we invited Marco to come. He could not.
    He's off someplace else. But we do a lot of things together
    that you never see; the appointment of all the academies, the
    appointment of Federal judges, the U.S. attorneys, et cetera.
        By the way, just a word for you until we get into the
    subject matter of the hearing. As a result of what you have
    seen play out over the course of the last couple of weeks in
    Washington, with the dramatic vote of John McCain in the middle
    of the night, with now being able to move on from that subject,
    there was an immediate response in a bipartisan way of a number
    of senators coming together--informal meetings, sit-down
    meetings in each other's offices, and then culminating with a
    dinner just before we left Washington of 14 of us, evenly
    divided, seven and seven, who are talking about the fixes to
    stabilize the existing current law on healthcare.
        So maybe, just maybe, we are seeing a change of the way
    that things have been operated. This being, if successful, a
    prelude to what else can be done down the road on income tax
    reform and desperately needed infrastructure in this country.
    That's not just roads and bridges, but it's airports and
    seaports, it's broadband, it's sewer plants and water plants,
    and so forth, that are so desperately needed.
        Now, the way the Committee usually operates--the Chairman
    makes an opening statement, the Ranking Member makes an opening
    statement, and then the witnesses are introduced, and then we
    go to questions. I have invited my two colleagues in the
    Congress to ask questions with me, and we have a star spangled
    panel today on this subject.
        If you think back, now, why are we here? In large part, it
    has already been addressed by the statements that you've heard.
    But think back to a quarter of a century ago. Southwest of
    where we are right now, 330,000 gallons of number six fuel and
    an additional 32,000 gallons of jet fuel, diesel, and gasoline
    spilled into Tampa Bay. That was just 24 years ago. Two tank
    barges and a ship sat disabled due south of Mullet Key,
    blocking the entrance to the Bay, the main shipping channel. It
    was closed for nine days.
        Oil coated Fort DeSoto Park and Egmont Key almost
    immediately, and then the winds and the tides carried the bulk
    of the fuel out into the Gulf until a storm pulled the mess
    back onto Pinellas County barrier islands, from Redington
    Shores to St. Pete Beach and Boca Ciega Bay. At that time, more
    than 2 million visitors used the boat ramp at Fort DeSoto Park
    each year.
        So it's fitting that today, we are hearing about the
    threats to our state's tourism driven economy and what we can
    do about it to mitigate the risk. Last year, a record 113
    million visitors, both international and domestic tourists,
    came to Florida. The tourism industry supports about a million
    and a half jobs in this state. So there's a lot at stake, and I
    think we'll hear some of that from our panelists today.
        You think about our brand. It's sunshine, it's sea breezes,
    it's white sand beaches, it's family friendly theme parks, and
    it's world class fishing and seafood. So when red tide comes
    along or if toxic algae closes a beach, tourism dollars go
    elsewhere. Hurricanes, oil spills, sea level rise, and Zika
    threaten our brand. But we can take steps to protect our
    tourism industry, and that's what this hearing is about.
        Ever since your Senator was a young Congressman, I've been
    in this fight to protect Florida's unique environment and its
    tourism-dependent economy. Thus, it was quite natural, in a
    bipartisan way, with a Republican senator, my colleague, Mel
    Martinez--in 2006, we enacted into law a moratorium on oil
    drilling off of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico.
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. That moratorium is the only place in the
    entire outer continental shelf of the United States that is off
    limits to oil rigs, and it's off limits until the year 2022.
    The United States Air Force has asked us to extend that another
    5 years to 2027, and they've done so--why? This is the largest
    testing and training area for the United States military in the
    world, and it's unfettered in their ability for all of the
    development of new systems and sophisticated weaponry. They
    have no impediments.
        You take a famous range like the Nevada Test Range. You've
    heard of the secret area there called Area 51. You superimpose
    that over the Gulf test range and it's just a little spot. This
    is the largest testing and training range in the world, and the
    reason the Air Force has asked us to extend it is they want to
    invest in very expensive, updated, new telemetry as they are
    testing these systems, and they want the security of knowing
    that that investment is going to be there so that they've got
    that range for at least 10 years. Yet we are in a fight,
    because the very attempts in the defense bill to get the
    moratorium extended to 2027 are being vigorously opposed by the
    oil industry.
        So just think back. What were some of the consequences?
    Remember the spill off of Louisiana? That was way off of
    Louisiana, but the winds shifted. They started bringing it to
    the east. They brought the oil as far east as Pensacola Beach,
    and those sugary white sands of Pensacola Beach were completely
    covered in oil, and that photograph flashed around the world.
        The winds kept coming east, and they brought it to Destin
    and Sandestin. We kept it out of the pass, unlike Pensacola
    Pass, because the oil got into Pensacola Bay. We kept it out of
    the pass at Destin, getting into the very large Choctawhatchee
    Bay. That was done with booms and buoys. The winds carried it
    far east--there were tar balls on Panama City Beach--and then
    the winds reversed, and they started carrying it back to the
    west.
        But the damage was done. When those photographs flashed
    around the world, they thought there was oil all over the
    beach, and the tourists did not come to the Gulf Coast beaches
    all the way down south to Naples and Marco Island for an entire
    season. That was a consequence of having oil on Pensacola
    Beach.
        You remember back at one point, 36 percent of the entire
    Gulf was closed to fishing. A recent study showed us estimates
    that recreational anglers lost $585 million in fishing
    opportunities as a result. So the bottom line is if there is an
    oil spill, it spells disaster for state and local economies.
        So what are we going to do going forward? We want to
    certainly maintain our vibrant tourism economy. We want to
    maintain our very delicate environment in the bays and
    estuaries, where so many of the critters come in and the marine
    life is spawned, and then goes back out to sea.
        Another issue that we're going to have to face is Florida's
    and the U.S.'s Brand USA. Brand USA is a quasi-government
    private partnership that promotes tourism from foreign
    countries to the United States. It has had a very positive
    effect on Florida's economy. It attracts millions of foreign
    tourists to the United States, many of whom, of course, come to
    our state.
        The President has proposed in his budget doing away with
    Brand USA. Eliminating it, I think, is classic definition of
    penny-wise and pound-foolish, and I know the three of us are
    going to try to convince our colleagues to preserve this
    important Federal program. The fact is that it's de minimis
    compared to the other items in the Federal Government, and yet
    it returns such tremendous dividends to our state.
        OK. Let's get to our witnesses. Dr. Sherry Larkin is a
    Professor of Resource Economics and Associate Dean for Research
    at the University of Florida. She's also Associate Director of
    the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station. Ms. Robin Sollie
    is President and CEO of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of
    Commerce, working out of their St. Pete Beach headquarters,
    representing the business and tourism interests of several Bay
    communities.
        Ms. Maryann Ferenc serves on the Board of Directors for the
    U.S. Travel Association and Brand USA. Dr. Mitchell Roffer is
    the President of Roffer's Ocean Fishing Forecast Service based
    in Melbourne and Miami, and he has provided targeted, science-
    based fishery forecasts for 30 years.
        So welcome to all of you. Take about 5 minutes apiece.
    Let's start with you, Dr. Larkin, and we'll work right down the
    panel.

            STATEMENT OF SHERRY L. LARKIN, Ph.D., PROFESSOR,

                FOOD AND RESOURCE ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT,

          ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR RESEARCH AND ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR,

                FLORIDA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION,

              INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES,

                    UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA (UF/IFAS)

        Dr. Larkin. Good afternoon, Senator Nelson and
    distinguished panel members. My name is Sherry Larkin. I'm a
    natural resource economist at the University of Florida.
        My research examines how our common property resources can
    be better managed by considering the biological, ecological,
    and economic dynamics that affect sustainability and generate
    benefits to society. A component of my research involves
    estimating the economic value of so-called nonmarket goods,
    which are environmental services, like clean air and water and
    healthy fish and wildlife populations, in order to include such
    information in decision modeling.
        While most of my research has focused on fisheries, I have
    examined environmental stressors like red tides and oil spills
    in my 20-year career here in Florida. I first came to Florida
    in 1997. I envisioned Miami and the Everglades and hoped to
    visit all of the famous beaches. But what I learned in my first
    few weeks has set the tone for my career and enticed me to
    stay, and that is that Florida's economy, and especially
    tourism, is based on our natural resources, especially from
    things like our spring water that flows to our coasts to the
    diverse flora and fauna that we share our coastal habitats
    with.
        In the most developed and undeveloped communities
    statewide, protecting and enhancing our natural resources and
    conserving them for future generations is in our economic self-
    interest, whether they be used directly or indirectly, by full
    or part-time residents, or by visitors from other states and
    nations that may one day be our neighbors. In what follows, I
    outline Florida's strengths, opportunities, and aspirations for
    ensuring a strong and vibrant nature-based tourism economy.
        Strengths. I believe Florida has three basic strengths in
    that regard. First, we're already a strong brand recognition as
    a tropical vacation destination and supporting built
    infrastructure. Second, Florida has a rich and diverse
    environment. Third, visitors seek out nature-based experiences
    while in Florida, either indirectly at our famous theme parks
    that highlight them or directly through visits to state parks.
    Recent corporate investments by Disney to expand into coastal
    resorts and even redesign and rename their downtown to
    highlight our local freshwater springs signals that corporate
    America recognizes the potential for additional nature-based
    tourism.
        Opportunities. The neo-classical economic framework
    identifies six distinct economic values associated with human
    use of the environment that can be measured. I included a
    graphic on page 3 [see page 11 for reference to graphic]--I'm
    not sure if all of you have that--but they are basically of two
    types. There are so-called non-use--or use values, first, I'll
    talk about--because they're generated from people that
    literally use the resource directly, such as from fishing or
    indirectly from activities like birdwatching.
        And then there are the non-use values, where an individual
    values the protection of a resource, not for their own personal
    use, but rather to ensure that it continues to exist. Think of
    polar bears that perhaps nobody will ever even see in person.
        This total economic value framework allows economists to
    make a ``deep dive'' into the investigation of what constitutes
    and contributes to economic value, which also helps identify
    opportunities for investment to increase that value. I have
    used this framework for the Florida legislature's Office of
    Economic and Demographic Research to value, you know, making
    the public whole following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill as
    required by the Oil Pollution Act.
        The analysis generated a conservative estimate of $643
    million for lost direct-use value and $854 million for lost
    existence value. That is $1.5 billion for just two of the six
    types of economic losses, and those are to Florida residents
    alone. These figures actually also exclude job losses and lost
    tax revenues from reduced visitor spending.
        Aspirations. In closing, Florida's economy fundamentally
    depends on our tourism, which, in turn, is dependent on our
    natural resources. But the industry does face numerous threats,
    some natural and others manmade, all of which can be
    prioritized in part with economic analysis of, for example, the
    following four types of projects.
        One, built and natural infrastructure to expand
    recreational opportunities and support rural development. Two,
    technological innovations, such as marine aquaculture, to jump
    start a blue revolution for job growth. Three, improve
    terrestrial and freshwater environmental systems that generate
    spillover and downstream economic benefits for nature-based
    tourism. And, four, prevent, mitigate, or control invasive
    species to protect our old Florida brand, ecotourism, and
    commercial sectors of our economy.
        Thank you for the opportunity to testify. I would be happy
    to answer any questions.
        [The prepared statement of Dr. Larkin follows:]

      Prepared Statement of Sherry L. Larkin, Ph.D., Professor, Food and
        Resource Economics Department, Associate Dean for Research and
    Associate Director, Florida Agricultural Experiment Station, Institute
       of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida (UF/IFAS)
        Good afternoon Chairman Thune, Ranking Member Nelson, and members
    of the Committee. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to provide
    testimony regarding the threats to Florida's tourism industry,
    especially those that are directly and indirectly linked to natural
    resources of our estuaries and wetlands, surrounding gulf and ocean,
    and our coastline.
        My name is Sherry Larkin and I am a natural resource economist at
    the University of Florida. My research examines how our common property
    natural resources can be better managed by considering the biological,
    ecological and economic dynamics that affect the regeneration and
    sustainability of environmental assets (primarily fish stocks) that
    generate economic benefits to society. A component of my research
    involves estimating the economic value of so called ``non-market
    goods''--environmental goods and services, such as clean air and water,
    and healthy fish and wildlife populations, are not traded in markets--
    in order to include such information in decision modelling. This type
    of analysis is necessary when considering environmental issues that
    affect human systems, and public programs that have the potential to
    generate non-market benefits (such as recreational experiences) or to
    mitigate, control or prevent negative economic consequences. In
    addition to my academic achievements as a professor, including that I
    am the current President of the North American Association of Fisheries
    Economists, I have served on the Science and Statistical Committee of
    both the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils.
    While most of my research has focused on fisheries, I have examined
    environmental stressors like red tides and oil spills in my 20-year
    career in Florida.
        For this hearing, I was asked to discuss challenges to the tourism
    economy in the State of Florida, and provide suggestions for how these
    challenges could be addressed to protect existing tourism
    opportunities. My comments will primarily represent the research with
    which I have been involved, but my opinions will be reflective of my
    collaborators and colleagues within UF/IFAS that are conducting
    research under the auspices of the Florida Agricultural Experiment
    Station and the Florida Sea Grant College Program.
        I came to Florida on a one year post-doc in 1997, never having been
    east of Indianapolis. I envisioned Miami and the everglades, and hoped
    to visit Key West to enjoy those famous pink shrimp, but what I learned
    in my first few weeks has set the tone for my career--Florida's tourism
    is based on our natural resources, from our spring water that flows to
    our coasts, to our diverse flora and fauna that we share our coastal
    habitats with, and in the most developed and undeveloped communities
    from Key West to Pensacola. Protecting and enhancing our natural
    resources and conserving them for future generations is in our economic
    self-interest whether they be used directly or indirectly for full and
    part time residents, and visitors from other states and nations that
    might one day be our neighbors.
        As a natural resource economist, and with respect to our
    environment and natural resources that have and generate economic
    value, we aim to provide information to help make strategic
    investments; yes, all projects provide value, but what about costs,
    lost opportunities and relative values? In the face of limited
    resources, I am here to argue for the use of economic analysis in
    decision-making both from my disciplinary expertise and my own
    research, but also as a representative of all UF/IFAS researchers that
    I serve in my role as an associate dean for research and associate
    director of the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station.
        In what follows, I outline--from an economic perspective--Florida's
    strengths, opportunities, and aspirations for ensuring a strong and
    vibrant tourism economy.
    Strengths . . . of Florida's tourism economy
        Florida has a rich and diverse high-quality environment--from
    freshwater springs that attract divers worldwide, to numerous iconic
    mammals and reptiles (alligators, manatees, sea turtles, panthers, Key
    deer, etc.), unique birds (roseate spoonbills), 825 miles of coastline
    with diverse beach characteristics and palm, pine and oak trees that
    highlight our tropical to upland habitats that reinforce our ``old
    Florida'' brand. A brand that has been fostered by past public
    investments and that I sought to model in a theoretical contribution to
    the literature. A brand that arguably supports a robust tourism
    industry.
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        While beaches may be the first destination for the majority of
    visitors, data shows that visitors seek to enjoy our natural resources
    and that enjoyment translates into economic value and return to the
    state. (see box). Clearly, our natural resources are the key to our
    tourism, and coastal tourism in particular--where 80 percent of
    Floridian's live and work--has been an economic engine for the state.
    Recent corporate investments by Disney to expand into coastal resorts
    and even redesign and rename their ``downtown'' to highlight our local
    freshwater springs indicate the potential growth of our natural
    resourced-based tourism.
    Opportunities . . . of identifying and increasing the economic value
            associated with nature-based tourism
        From a neo-classical economic perspective, anything that gives an
    individual satisfaction or ``utility'' to the point that they are
    willing to forgo scarce resources to obtain it has an ``economic
    value.'' Whether the scarce resource is time, money, or some other
    object of trade, the value of the trade is a conservative estimate of
    the value of the non-monetized natural resource because the trade would
    only happen if the individual derived at least the same or greater
    level of satisfaction.
        In total, there are six distinct economic values associated with
    human use of the environment that can be measured (Figure 1) and they
    are of two types: so-called ``use values'' because they are generated
    from people literally using the resource today (either directly such as
    from catching and eating fish or indirectly from ecosystem services or
    recreational boating, beach going, or wildlife viewing),\1\ or from the
    value of holding the resource with an option of using it in the future
    (such as set aside areas of biodiversity for future recreation or
    medical products) and ``non-use values'' where an individual values the
    protection of a resource--not for their own personal use--but rather to
    either ensure it exists (think polar bears and koalas that maybe no one
    will ever see), or for the benefit of others either today or in future
    generations (that is, altruistic and bequest values, respectively).
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \1\ Further distinction can be made within these categories, and
    different names are used to convey the nature of each value. Such
    categories include those that focus on the ``services'' provided
    including provisioning (direct use value), cultural (indirect use
    value, recreation in particular), regulating and supporting (indirect
    use value, ecosystem services like habitat, water filtration, wetlands,
    and nutrient cycling etc.).
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Figure 1. Total Economic Value (TEV) of a natural resource to an
    individual and society can be measured as the sum of up to six distinct
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    values (in yellow).

        This total economic value (TEV) framework allows economists to make
    a ``deep dive'' into the investigation of what constitutes and
    contributes to economic value. And while some of these values are
    relatively straight forward to estimate--such as the value of seafood
    or cost to travel to the coast for recreational boating, others are
    more salient and require advanced methodologies and strict protocols
    for data collection in order to begin the judicial process of damage
    assessment under conditions established following the 1989 Exxon Valdez
    oil spill (Bishop et al., 2017. ``Putting a value on injuries to
    natural assets: The BP oil spill'' Science 356(6335): 253-254).
        The TEV framework has been used to estimate the value of opening up
    new natural areas to recreation, investing in infrastructure that can
    allow for greater use, or protecting existing coastal areas;
    alternatively, it can be used to value losses or potential losses in
    the same. By integrating scientific information on changes in either
    the biophysical or human infrastructure--whatever the cause (rising
    seas, rising temperatures, storm events, or algal blooms)--with the
    economic (be it either costs and benefits, risk assessments, and impact
    analysis), decision makers are poised to make informed decisions with
    the highest return on investments (ROIs).
        While the TEV framework estimates the value to individuals that can
    be extrapolated to society as a whole, economists have also utilized
    impact analyses that estimate the ripple effects of a change in
    economic activity at the county, regional, or state level--that is, by
    estimating a change in the spending in an economy and associated
    secondary effects (indirect and induced from multipliers) of the change
    in spending. This is an important tool as it highlights the linkage
    between the economic value of the environment and natural resources and
    the job creation and community benefits derived. This was highlighted
    in a recent Florida Sea Grant Report entitled ``Living on the edge: The
    balance between economy and environment'' that claimed

            Most of Florida's 20 million residents live in coastal
            counties, and over 80 million tourists visit the coast each
            year. This concentration-of people, activities and economies
            contributes more than 80 percent--almost $562 billion--to the
            state's economy annually.

        I would argue that the premise is false, that is, there isn't a
    balance; the environment and economy are inextricably linked and what
    benefits one, benefits the other and vice versa.
        I have used the TEV framework on behalf of the Florida
    Legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research to value
    making the public ``whole'' following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill--
    as required by the Oil Pollution Act. The analysis generated a
    conservative and risk-adjusted estimate of $854 million for lost
    passive use value and $643 million for lost direct use value from
    forgone recreational trips in the aftermath; or nearly $1.5 billion of
    lost TEV associated with just two of the six economic values that
    Floridians could have for a restored Gulf environment in the short run.
    This means the analyses would support investing up to $1.5 billion in
    preventing similar damages to the Gulf of Mexico's natural resources.
    In addition, the study also estimated the losses to the state of
    Florida from forgone trips by domestic visitors (via IMPLAN
    software).\2\ In particular, visitor spending fell $1.3 billion due to
    cancelled trips over a 28-month period. The associated regional
    economic impacts equaled a reduction of $2.03 billion in output
    (industry revenues), and employment loss of over 20,000 job-years, and
    $1.37 billion in decreased value-added. In addition, the corresponding
    loss in sales tax revenue totaled $77.8 million dollars. For
    comparison, the state was awarded $2 billion on behalf of its trustees
    to compensate for economic losses following the spill, primarily due to
    tourism effects.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \2\ Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) software uses national
    and regional economic data to measure the ``ripple effect'' on a
    regional economy that is caused by a change in spending by non-
    residents. The total economic impact from a change in spending by non-
    residents of the study region (direct effect) includes the secondary
    effects of economic activity lost from reduced purchases of
    intermediate products through the industry supply chain (indirect
    effects) and activity lost from reduced employee household and
    government spending (induced effects). Economic multipliers are used to
    capture the distinct secondary effects on the regional economy by
    accounting for the ``leakage,'' or the degree to which demand for goods
    and services in the region is met by businesses that import from other
    regions.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        In addition, I have participated in studies that have generated
    economic information for resources in Florida (see box for examples).
    Economic analyses provide a rigorous framework upon which to evaluate
    investment in environmental and natural resource assets that in Florida
    are surely to be used and enjoyed by tourists. Such a framework is
    critical when investment dollars are scarce and scientific information
    is costly. And given an increasing demand from population growth,
    choices will be imminent.
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        No discussion of environmental and natural resources would be
    complete without mention of climate change and associated concerns over
    sea level rise and extreme weather events. One way to frame the issues
    is to first consider--or not consider at all--whether the cause
    matters. If we, as a society, have strategies that mitigate, control
    and possibly prevent associated environmental and economic damage with
    a high degree of certainty and at costs that are less than the value of
    rebuilding existing infrastructure, what then? Economic analyses can
    compare the future costs with the benefits of proposed strategies to
    assess the ROI.
    Aspirations . . . for moving forward
        My personal and professional hopes are that society makes
    investment decisions based on sound science, including sufficient
    knowledge of the biophysical world and interdependent social sciences
    that collectively shape societal outcomes. I also hope that the
    inherent interconnectedness of the natural and physical world become
    better understood by all so that strategic investments, while seemingly
    narrow in their objective, can eventually lead to significant
    socioeconomic benefits. I offer two examples before ending with a list
    of suggestions to help mitigate future threats to Florida's tourism
    driven economy.
        The first example involves the political decision to close a
    fishery over concerns of stock collapse. The town of Cedar Key was
    essentially removed of its lifeblood after a public vote to ban net
    gear for the capture of mullet in the mid-1990s. The public investment
    that ensued to retrain fishermen to farm hard clams was significant.
    Fast forward 20 years and Cedar Key is the leader in the production of
    hard clams, which has supported a relatively high-valued locally caught
    fresh source of seafood with spill over externalities to the supporting
    rural community. Fishing jobs have increased, a working waterfront is
    maintained, tourism is burgeoning, and public and private investments
    are increasing. This public investment 20 years ago has resulted in
    recent substantial investments by the Florida Aquarium and the new UF/
    IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station, which houses new UF faculty
    conducting research along the Big Bend Region. The seemingly private
    benefits of reinvesting in fishermen has provided public benefits in
    the form of rural development and expanded tourism opportunities that
    are independent of out-of-state brand name hotels.
        The second example highlights the potential for further development
    of aquaculture in Florida. UF/IFAS has researchers, including nearby at
    Apollo Beach and in Ruskin, that are seeking to (1) farm corals for
    restoration of the Florida Bay and the Keys in order to improve water
    quality, habitats for other species, and support increased snorkeling,
    diving and fishing; (2) rear live bait fish that have high economic
    value and the potential to reduce pressure on the harvest of wild
    forage fish from the ecosystem, a move that would leave forage fish to
    support an increase in valuable reef fish species; and (3) augment
    populations of popular recreational marine species such as snook, red
    drum and scallops. Today, the recreational scallop fisheries along the
    northern Gulf coast of Florida provide substantial economic activity to
    several rural coastal communities.
        In closing, Florida's economy is fundamentally dependent on our
    tourism, which is in turn dependent on our natural resources. But the
    industry faces numerous threats, some natural and others man made; all
    of which can be addressed in part with investment. Florida's brand name
    will continue to grow with continued investments that evaluate the
    benefits and costs of each choice, which may require scientific
    information. Below are types of investments--some obvious, some not so
    obvious--that show the breadth of activities to achieve this objective:

      1.  Investment in built and natural infrastructure. Improve or create
            new on-site recreational facilities such as parking lots, boat
            ramps, and boardwalks. Improve off shore and underwater
            ecosystems that protect the built environment in coastal areas
            (e.g., oyster reefs), and that serve as habitat for species
            that can supply additional recreational opportunities (diving,
            fishing, and/or snorkeling). These investments will directly
            strengthen local economies by improving access and visitation
            opportunities, and expand Florida's portfolio while providing
            rural development.

      2.  Facilitation and support of technological innovations such as
            aquaculture. Biological research to close the life cycle of
            high-valued species, legal research to reduce regulatory
            burden, engineering studies to improve design and economic
            studies to improve efficiency and evaluate the ROIs can all
            help to augment wild populations for recreational harvest
            (e.g., fish species) and increase the supply of fresh fish to
            tourists to boost the local experience, and further build the
            Old Florida brand. These investments would serve to initiate a
            ``blue revolution'' in the U.S. and the new industries would be
            associated with job growth.

      3.  Continued protection of wildlife. Collaborate with and augment
            efforts by conservation organizations to ensure habitat areas
            are sufficient for iconic species like sea turtles, manatees
            and goliath grouper that have tremendous popularity among
            tourists. Bird watching is one of the fastest growing hobbies
            as enjoyment is not limited by physical ability, and birders
            are willing to travel to see unique species like sandhill
            cranes, whooping cranes, and bald eagles. Public investment to
            support private lands that sustain valuable species for the
            benefit of all are well justified. Such investments could
            include the additional expense of beach renourishment projects
            that are suitable for sea turtle nesting (i.e., proper sand,
            slope and compaction) and conservation easements for
            agricultural lands that ensure continuous acreage to support
            larger mammals; this is because investments in terrestrial and
            freshwater environmental systems generate spillover and
            downstream economic benefits that support nature-based tourism.

      4.  Invest in efforts to prevent, mitigate or control the spread of
            invasive species that can introduce pests and diseases that
            threaten the survival of iconic plants and animals (think large
            palms, citrus, and endangered panthers and black bear, some of
            which are currently threatened), and human health (e.g.,
            mosquitos). Florida is ground zero for the unintended and
            undetected introduction of new species that do not have local
            predators to keep populations in check. The risk is exacerbated
            by the ongoing expansion of port capacity and international
            trade. UF/IFAS research has shown that early investments in
            detection (biological risk assessments) are substantially more
            cost effective than controlling the spread of established
            species (pythons and melaleuca come to mind); consider
            investments in risk assessments for example to preserve the
            aesthetics of our tropical environment and sustain the economic
            benefits derived from ecotourism that are critical to nature-
            based tourism and commercial sectors of our economy.

        Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. I would be happy to
    answer any questions that you might have.
                 Relevant Publications/References by S. Larkin
                         (reverse chronological order)
    Book Chapters
        Bi, X., T. Borisova, S. Larkin, and J. Longanecker. 2015.
    ``Economic Value of Recreation along the Freshwater Portion of the St.
    John's River,'' Chapter 6, p. 225-261. In St. John's River Economic
    Study (C.T. Hackney, ed.). University of North Florida, Jacksonville.
        Bi, X., T. Borisova, S. Larkin, and J. Longanecker. 2015.
    ``Estimation of the Current and Potential Level and Value of Ecotourism
    in the St. John's River Basin,'' Chapter 7, p. 263-268. In St. John's
    River Economic Study (C.T. Hackney, ed.). University of North Florida,
    Jacksonville.
        Larkin, S. 2014. ``Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill,'' in Environmental
    and Natural Resource Economics: An Encyclopedia, p. 105-107. T.C. Haab
    and J.C. Whitehead (eds.). Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, LLC.
        Gardner, C., S. Larkin, and J.C. Seijo. 2013. ``Systems to Maximise
    Economic Benefits in Lobster Fisheries,'' chapter 5, p. 113-138, In
    Lobsters: Biology, Management, Aquaculture, and Fisheries (2nd ed.).
    B.F. Phillips (ed). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
        Adams, C.M., S. Larkin, K. Morgan, B. Degner, and J. Stevely. 2008.
    ``Measuring the Economic Implications of Red Tide Events on the Gulf
    Coast of Florida, USA: An Overview of University of Florida Research
    Efforts,'' pp. 223-232. In Mitigating Impacts of Natural Hazards on
    Fishery Ecosystems. K.D. McLaughlin [ed.] American Fisheries Society,
    Symposium 64.
    Peer-reviewed Journal Articles
        Avila, J., S. Baker, K. Grogan, S. Larkin, and L. Sturmer. In
    review. ``Ecosystems Services Generated by Hard Clam Aquaculture and
    Valuation of the Industry in Florida'' Journal of Society and Natural
    Resources.
        Whitehead, J., T. Haab, S. Larkin, J. Loomis, S. Alvarez, and A.
    Ropicki. In review. ``Lost Recreational Value to Northwest Florida from
    the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Using Revealed and Stated Preference
    Data.'' Marine Resource Economics.
        Elrich, O., X. Bi, T. Borisova, and S. Larkin. In press. ``A Latent
    Class Analysis of Public Attitudes toward Water Resources with
    Implications for Recreational Demand.'' Ecosystem Services.
        Court, C., R. Clouser, A. Hodges and S. Larkin. In press.
    ``Economic impacts of cancelled recreational trips to Northwest Florida
    after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.'' Regional Science, Policy and
    Practice.
        Camp, E., R. Ahrens, K. Lorenzen, and S. Larkin. 2017. ``Trade-offs
    between Socioeconomic and Conservation Management Objectives in Stock
    Enhancement of Marine Recreational Fisheries''. Fisheries Research
    186(2): 446-459.
        Borisova, T., X. Bi, S. Larkin, and J, Loganecker. 2016.
    ``Assessing Nature-Based Recreation to Support Economic Development and
    Environmental Sustainability Extension Programs.'' Journal of Extension
    54(4): 5RIB1.
        Anderson, C., J.L. Anderson, J. Chu, J. Meredith, F. Asche, G.
    Sylvia, M.D. Smith, D. Anggraeni, R. Arther, A. Guttormsen, J.K.
    McCluney, T. Ward, W. Akpalu, H. Eggert, J. Flores, M.A. Freeman, D.
    Holland, G. Knapp, M. Kobayaski, S. Larkin, K. MacLauchlin, K.E.
    Schnier, M. Soboil, S. Tveteras, H. Uchida, and D. Valderrama. 2015.
    ``The Fishery Performance Indicators: A Management Tool for Triple
    Bottom Line Outcomes.'' PLoS ONE 10(5): e0122809.
        Alvarez, S., S. L. Larkin, T. Haab, and J.C. Whitehead. 2014. ``A
    Revealed Preference Approach to Valuing Non-market Recreational Fishing
    Losses from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.'' Journal of Environmental
    Management 145(1): 199-209.
        Larkin, S.L., R.G. Huffaker, and R.L. Clouser. 2013. ``Negative
    Externalities and Oil Spills: A Case for Reduced Brand Value to the
    State of Florida.'' Journal of Agriculture and Applied Economics 45(3):
    389-399.
        Adams, D., A. Bwenge, D. Lee, S. Larkin, and J. Alavalapati. 2011.
    ``Public Preferences for Controlling Upland Invasive Plants in State
    Parks: Application of a Choice Model.'' Forest Policy and Economics
    13(6): 465-472.
        Morgan, K., S. Larkin, and C. Adams. 2011. ``Empirical Analysis of
    Media versus Environmental Impacts on Park Attendance.'' Tourism
    Management 32: 852-859.
        Morgan, K., S. Larkin, and C. Adams. 2010. ``Red Tides and
    Participation in Marine-Based Activities: Estimating the Response of
    Southwest Florida Residents.'' Harmful Algae 9(3): 333-341.
        Larkin, S.L. and C.M. Adams. 2008. ``Public Awareness and Knowledge
    of Red Tide Blooms.'' Journal of Extension 46(2): 2FEA8.
        Larkin, S., and C. Adams. 2007. ``Harmful Algal Blooms and Coastal
    Business: Economic Consequences in Florida.'' Society and Natural
    Resources 20(9): 849-859.
    Other Reviewed Publications
        Larkin, S., and C. Adams. 2013. ``Summary of Literature that
    Addresses the Economic Consequences of Harmful Algal Blooms.'' EDIS
    (Electronic Data Information Source) document FE936, University of
    Florida, Gainesville, FL.
        Huffaker, R., R. Clouser, and S. Larkin. 2012 ``Contract for
    Analytical Services Related to the Deepwater Horizon Disaster:
    Estimation of lost indirect and passive use economic values to
    Floridians'' Food and Resource Economics Department, UF/IFAS,
    Gainesville, FL.
        Larkin, S., J. Georges, A. Hodges, M. Allen, and D. Jones. 2012.
    ``The Economic Impact of the 2011 Florida BASS Federation Tournament to
    Osceola County and the Economic Value of Participants.'' EDIS document
    FE916, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
        Larkin, S., S. Alvarez, G. Sylvia, and M. Harte. 2011. ``Practical
    Considerations in Using Bioeconomic Modelling for Rebuilding
    Fisheries'', OECD Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Working Papers, No.
    38, OECD Publishing.
        Adams, D.C., A.N. Bwenge, D.J. Lee, S.L. Larkin, and J.R.R.
    Alavalapati. 2011. ``Economic Value of Upland Invasive Plant Management
    in Florida State Parks.'' EDIS document FR352/FOR290. University of
    Florida, Gainesville, FL.
        Larkin, S., K. Lucas, C. Adams, and J. Stevely. 2011. ``Strategies
    to Address Red Tide Events in Florida: Results of a 2010 Survey of
    Coastal Residents.'' EDIS document FE891. University of Florida,
    Gainesville, FL.
        Swett, R.A., C. Adams, S. Larkin, A.W. Hodges, and T.J. Stevens.
    2011. ``Economic Impacts of Artificial Reefs for Six Southwest Florida
    Counties.'' TP-178. Florida Sea Grant College Program, UF/IFAS
    Extension, Gainesville, FL.
        Morgan, K.L., T. Stevens, R. Degner, S.L. Larkin, and C.M. Adams.
    2010. ``Economic Impacts of Alternative Regulatory Scenarios on the
    Florida Fresh Half-shell Oyster Industry.'' EDIS document FE835.
    University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
        Morgan, K.L., S.L. Larkin, and C.M. Adams. 2008. ``Public Costs of
    Florida Red Tides, 2007.'' EDIS document FE711. University of Florida,
    Gainesville, FL

        Senator Nelson. Thanks, Dr. Larkin.
        Ms. Sollie?

     STATEMENT OF ROBIN A. SOLLIE, IOM, FCCP--PRESIDENT/CEO, TAMPA
                    BAY BEACHES CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

        Ms. Sollie. Thank you, and----
        Senator Nelson. By the way, while you all are working on
    that, let me call your attention to the poster over here.
    [Poster is on display.] That, of course, is the peninsula of
    Florida. All of that yellow in the Gulf is the area that is off
    limits in law to drilling, and, as you see, in a position from
    Clearwater Beach to the edge of the line on the west, which is
    called the Military Mission Line. That's 235 miles away. When
    you get down as far as Naples, it's something like 260 miles.
    Up in the panhandle off of the beach there, it's 125 miles off
    of Panama City Beach, and that is one of the national assets.
        We are now--look down there where the Keys are. So when the
    U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet had to shut down its training in
    Puerto Rico in the island of Vieques, all of that training
    comes here now. So they'll send the squadrons of F-18s in the
    Navy down to Key West Naval Air Station, which is on Boca Chica
    Key, and when they lift off, you can see from that map, in 2
    minutes, they are in restricted airspace. So they don't have to
    spend a lot of fuel and time to get to their training area.
        Then you can see from the bottom all the way north to the
    panhandle where the big Eglin Air Force Base is. That's a
    distance of 350 miles. They can test weapons. For example, they
    could shoot a cruise missile in its testing operation from the
    south, and it'll go 350 miles in testing it, and then if they
    wanted to land it in the sea, they could. If they wanted, they
    could land it on land, and its impact could be on the huge
    Eglin Air Force Base.
        So, visually, that's a good pictorial for you to see how
    big that training range is.
        OK. Ms. Sollie?
        Ms. Sollie. Thank you very much. Thank you for having me
    this afternoon. I'm extremely honored to be here and honored to
    be representing the coastal communities of Pinellas County and
    the business community as well.
        My first slide in my presentation--thank you, panelists.
    You've taken care of everything up there in your opening
    remarks.
        I would like to emphasize, as we discuss tourism and we say
    tourism industry, that everyone here in the audience and our
    elected officials remember that it's truly economic impact. It
    is an economic driver. In many times and instances, it is left
    out of economic development because we think about
    diversification of jobs in the markets that we have within the
    county, and tourism needs to always be in the conversation when
    we talk about economic development and the economy.
        The numbers are there. Twenty-three percent of the sales
    tax generated is generated by our tourists that come to the
    destination. We have businesses that are built in these
    communities because they thrive and are alive because of the
    tourists that come here. When I have my closing, I can
    definitely depict what had happened in 2010, especially in the
    beaches and the coastal communities in Pinellas County as a
    result of 2010.
        So you asked me to present to you what we see as threats to
    our tourism economy. I did that in conjunction with polling a
    lot of our businesses in the coastal communities, and we came
    up with some high-impact threats, mid-level impact threats, and
    low-level impact threats.
        Obviously, oil drilling off of Florida's coast--we can talk
    about it over and over, and it's an unfortunate situation. What
    happened in 2010--we're still, you know, trying to understand
    and ascertain--thank you, Dr. Sanberg--to understand the impact
    on the health of the Gulf of Mexico, let alone what happened
    when tourists stopped coming here as a result of that tragic
    explosion that was nowhere near Florida. So we say and we ask,
    to mitigate this threat, to continue the moratorium on the
    exploration and oil drilling off Florida's coast.
        Our second high-level impact threat is storm surge and
    hurricanes. Obviously, we can't control when a storm comes to
    our coastline or when a hurricane does. But what we can do is
    we can control the health of the natural resource of our
    shoreline. When a storm comes or a hurricane comes, there's
    severe amounts of beach erosion. Debby came to our coastline
    and tore up our beaches, from Redington Shores, Sand Key, all
    the way down to Pass-A-Grille. A few years later, in 2016,
    Hurricane Hermine came by--again, eroded our shoreline. One was
    a tropical storm. One was a hurricane. They both have the same
    impact of beach erosion to the beaches.
        If we don't have a healthy beach, our tourists and our
    residents don't have a beach to go to. Our businesses around
    those beaches end up suffering. So we do ask, to mitigate that
    threat, that we continue--and thank you, Senator Nelson--
    continue funding nourishment, increase funding nourishment
    along with the contributions that we do on a state and local
    level when it comes to beach nourishment.
        Then third, we classified this as mid-level only because if
    funds are diverted from Brand USA and, unfortunately, here in
    the state of Florida, Visit Florida, it has a slow, residual,
    painful effect on tourism. It's not a high immediate effect,
    like a storm or an oil spill. But to divert funds from a
    marketing agency that we need vitally to make sure that we are
    a competitive industry globally, especially when we have
    emerging markets, like Dubai and Cuba--we have cruise ships
    that are going to Cuba, taking thousands and thousands of
    passengers there. So we want to encourage, to mitigate this
    threat, that you fight for us on our behalf up there to
    continue to fund Brand USA and continue to use those funds for
    the intended purpose, to market us globally so we can stay
    competitive.
        Transportation--big one. We're number four in the nation
    when it comes to transportation, due to our infrastructure and
    our roads. That sounds great, but when we lift up the hood and
    we look at our destinations, Pinellas County, Orlando,
    connectivity, transportation is more than a road. It's
    easements to create the future of transit. We need transit. We
    need mobility.
        We have travelers who come to this destination. The
    demographic is changing. Foreign travelers--their expectations
    are much higher when it comes to public transportation.
    Millennials--we have to think for the future. We need to have
    the ability to make sure that our tourists can be mobilized in
    a variety of facets, and that even includes the Federal funding
    in any capacity for our airports and the fees involved there so
    we can continue to be that competitive market.
        So the threat there, to mitigate that, is please continue
    to explore funding and, whenever possible, expanded funding,
    and I'd say be advantageous. Let's be cutting edge in some
    cases. We're way down at the bottom here in Pinellas County
    when it comes to transit.
        Another threat--Zika. Zika, and you could say, slash, red
    tide or any other type of maybe algae bloom or anything that
    may happen in the ocean or within our environment. We say it's
    low, because the impacts, again, aren't an immediate
    ramification of loss of revenue and jobs and tourists
    automatically fleeing from us. However, they do impact us.
        It's very hard to track. It's very hard to understand. But
    we do ask, to mitigate those threats, that you continue to fund
    research and development to eradicate whatever that is, or to
    find cures, or be able to at least minimize the ramifications
    of any of these blooms, Zika, whatever would impact national
    media hype, as I like to call it, to make it look like we're
    not a place that you should visit as a result of this.
        And then, finally, we talk about sea level rise. That is a
    low and is a long-term effect. I know there was an article in
    the Times today about sea level rise, and it's escalating. But
    we don't see immediate results today, right, of sea level rise.
    It's one of those things--we say, ``Oh, our grandkids or our
    grandkids' grandkids are going to see that.'' We need to
    address it now.
        We are working in environments in Pinellas County with many
    municipalities that have specific land use plans, and at a
    county level, we need to address the land use plans for
    redevelopment or new development that has sea level rise in the
    vision so that we can plan for the future, so that our coastal
    communities are protected long-term, and those tourists will
    continue to enjoy our destination, and our residents can
    continue to thrive in our destination as well.
        You know, I talk about the recipe. What is the recipe?
    Because we never know how this is going to pan out. We can't
    always plan for the impact of what any of these may present to
    us. If you think about 2010, we had three things that occurred.
    We had an oil spill, we had a cold snap--we can't control
    that--and we had a recession. Maybe we could have controlled
    that in some capacities in hindsight, but, pretty much, we
    couldn't.
        We lost thousands of jobs. We had businesses closing. Bed
    tax collections were down. We had to cut marketing funding
    during that time. Our sales tax collections go down as a result
    of that as well.
        So we, as leaders, need to continue to plan for the future,
    plan as if, because when it comes, we don't know in what
    variety it will come. It will, unfortunately, and we will need
    to be prepared, fully funded, and fully healthy and nourished,
    and we appreciate it.
        I accept any questions, and thank you for the opportunity
    to present.
        [The prepared statement of Ms. Sollie follows:]

       Prepared Statement of Robin A. Sollie, IOM, FCCP--President/CEO,
                     Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce
        Thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify today regarding
    ``Threats to Florida's Tourism Economy''. On behalf of the businesses
    in our communities we appreciate all you do each day for our country,
    the state of Florida and our local communities.
    Introduction
        As the CEO of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce (TBBCoC), I
    have the privilege to represent over 730 businesses with the majority
    directly tourism related (accommodations, restaurants, and
    attractions). The TBBCoC geographical reach is the entire coast line of
    Pinellas County, which are 12 municipalities and 1 un-incorporated
    community. The culmination of these communities is an estimated 8,872
    businesses and over 156,000 residents (*Stats from Pinellas County
    Economic Development http://www.pced.org/?page=DemoBusiness).
        Important facts regarding the Tourism industry and its economic
    impact:

       112 million Visitors to the State of Florida in 2016

       Over 1.4 million Tourism related Jobs in the State of
            Florida in 2016

       Approximately $110 billion Economic Impact to the State of
            Florida in 2016

       23 percent of Sales Tax in Florida is generated by visitors

       Pinellas County alone has over 100,000 jobs, nearly 6
            million visitors in 2016, $10 billion economic impact in 2016

       Diversification in Tourism: sports, film, leisure, and
            meetings all make up the industry

    (*Stats from www.visitflorida.org & www.pinellascvb.org)

        The numbers are very powerful for the entire state and Pinellas
    continues to lead as a destination. As an industry we continue to keep
    our pulse on what elements could damage, interfere or even disrupt this
    vital economic driver. Managing threats is a strategic process with a
    precise recipe (planning & funding). Mitigating the long term effects
    could be managed if proper planning occurs. The elements the industry
    has found to be threats are:

       Oil Drilling off Florida's Coast (High)

       Storm Surge/Hurricanes (High)

       Continued Funding of Brand USA & Visit Florida (High)

       Transportation (Mid/Long Term)

       Zika (Low)

       Sea Level Rise (Low/Long Term)

        The degree at which any of these threats effect Florida's economy
    is a moving target which in some cases could be timing, media, and if
    there are multiple threats simultaneously. It's obvious some threats
    cannot be controlled, but how we react, fund or plan can be within our
    control.
    Oil Drilling (High Level)
        One of the highest threats we have to Florida's tourism economy is
    the idea that lifting the ban on oil drilling off the coast of Florida
    is a viable and lucrative option. There is no amount of money/proceeds
    from oil exploration and drilling that can outweigh the risk that is
    has on the entire coast of Florida. In 2010, this was experienced
    firsthand through the Deepwater Horizon explosion.
        As a result of this explosion, only small amounts of oil came to
    Florida's coast in the Panhandle. Not one drop washed to Pinellas
    County's coast; yet the magnitudes of losses are still being
    calculated. As of this date, businesses and municipalities are still
    working on their claims process to compensate for lost revenues.
        The environmental consequences have been studied by a variety of
    agencies one of which is here in Pinellas county; USF's College of
    Marine Science, the lead institution for the Center for Integrated
    Modeling and Analysis (C-IMAGE), an international research consortium
    which was created to study the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon
    oil spill, their research is outlined here: http://news.usf.edu/
    article/templates/?a=7309&z=220 and mentions as one of 4 finding that
    prolonged oil toxicity in fish continues. Many of these agencies
    continue to monitor the ramification of this spill on the marine life
    and Gulf of Mexico's overall health and indicate that it may be years
    before we truly fully understand the depth of this impact.
        During this tragedy and many months afterwards, the Tourism
    industry had to fight the perception that there was oil on our beaches,
    and that our beaches were closed, while re-structuring tourism
    marketing expenditures to crisis messaging.
        One of the largest resorts on the West Coast of Florida, Tradewinds
    Island Resorts had the following impact on their business (during the
    2010 spill):

       Call volume from potential visitors went down by as much as
            25 percent

       Since the oil spill (April 21st through June 2010), two
            resorts were down by over approximately $1.7 million dollars in
            revenue. If you assume the hotels that represent the rest of
            the 35,000 rooms experienced similar revenue losses per room,
            that is over $70 million dollars in revenues lost in just
            Pinellas County

       Keep in mind these losses don't consider restaurants,
            suppliers, attractions or other secondary businesses which rely
            on visitors staying in hotels

    (*Taken from Keith Overton written testimony July 12 to the National
    Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling)

        It is simple; the Deepwater Horizon explosion was off the Louisiana
    Coast and still had major threats and consequences to the entire
    Florida Tourism Industry.
        ACTION TO MITIGATE THIS THREAT: Continue the extensions of the
    moratorium on drilling off Florida's coast.
    Storm/Hurricane Surge and Beach Erosion (High Level)
        The threat of storm/hurricane surge results in beach erosion; this
    holds true for the entire coast of Florida. In Pinellas County we are
    very proactive in what measure we need to take regarding beach
    nourishment. Beach nourishment is vital to the health of the beaches
    for our visitors and residents to enjoy as well as our wildlife (birds
    and turtles).
        The #1 reason travelers come to the state of Florida is to visit
    the coastal communities and enjoy the award winning beaches.

            A stat sourced from visitflorida.org/resources/research ``The
            most popular activities for domestic visitors in 2015 were
            beach or waterfront activities (41 percent)''

        In June 2012, Tropical Storm Debby and in 2016, Hurricane Hermine
    came for a visit. Both of these visitors left their baggage behind.
    That baggage was the damage to the beach--large amounts of erosion
    along Pinellas County.
        Andy Squires, Section Manager for Coastal Resources in Pinellas
    County provided specific data regarding Tropical Storm Debby and
    Hurricane Hermine.
    Hurricane Hermine Impact to Pinellas Beaches
    (Reference PDF, page 28, Table 1 for summary of sand losses)
          Table 1. Volume Changes Measured along the entire Sand Key,
                         Treasure Island, and Long Key
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

       Impacted Pinellas beaches for 2 days between Sept 1-3, 2016

       Sand Key sand loss from erosion totaled about 481,200 cubic
            yards

       For reference, a typical volume of sand placed each 6 year
            nourishment cycle is typically about 1.3 mm cubic yards. The 2
            day storm eroded over 1/3 the volume of sand that is typically
            eroded over a 6 year duration

       Loss of dry beach width ranged from 5 feet along Indian
            Rocks Beach to 35 feet along Indian Shores

       Treasure Island sand loss from erosion totaled 69,000 cubic
            yards and loss of dry beach width ranged from 11 feet at Sunset
            Beach (part of Treasure Island) to 24 feet at middle of
            Treasure Island

       For Long Key (St. Pete Beach) sand loss (note Table 1 has a
            typo) from erosion totaled about 80,200 cubic yards; Loss of
            dry beach width ranged from 6 feet to 23 feet
    Tropical Storm Debby Impacts to Pinellas Beaches
    (Reference PDF, page 20, Table 1 for summary of sand losses)
     Table 1. Volume Changes Measured along the Long Key, Treasure Island,
                                  and Long Key
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

       Impacted Pinellas beaches for 3 days from June 24-26, 2012

       Sand Key sand loss totaled about 424,000 cubic yards and dry
            beach width loss ranged from 10 feet to 34 feet

       Treasure Island total sand loss was 93,500 cubic yards and
            dry beach width loss ranged from 10 to 21 feet

       Long Key (St. Pete Beach) total sand loss was 113,400 cubic
            yards and dry beach loss ranged from 11 to 26 feet

        In summary the overall impacts to erosion from each storm were
    similar. This demonstrates that a tropical storm can have extreme
    impacts and risk to our beach environments.
        ACTION TO MITIGATE THIS THREAT: Continue and increase funding for
    beach nourishment projects throughout the state of Florida; along with
    funds at the local level.
    Transportation (Mid-Level)
        Florida is #4* in the Nation when it comes to transportation and we
    must continue to stay competitive. However, many of our popular
    destinations fall well below average as it relates to transportation
    options (transit/mobility). With the increase in traffic from foreign
    travelers and a rise of the millennial traveler, both demographics
    desire and expect access to better mobility options.
        Transportation options are vital to stay competitive.
        (Source: http://www.flchamber.com/did-you-know-florida-road-
    conditions-rank-best-in-the-country/)
        ACTION TO MITIGATE THIS THREAT: Encourage funding for progressive
    transportation projects to ensure we can stay competitive in the ever
    changing travel market.
    Funding Brand USA & Visit Florida Emerging Competitive Markets (Mid-
            Level)
        With emerging competitive markets (Cuba and Dubai for example)
    vying for our tourists it is imperative that agencies like Brand USA
    (and Visit Florida) are adequately funded and funded for extensive
    periods of time. This will ensure the marketing is earmarked to
    continue to attract global travelers to our award winning destinations.
        ACTION TO MITIGATE THIS THREAT: Continue funding this agency to
    remain competitive to emerging markets like Cuba and Dubai.
    Sea Level Rise (Low level)
        We do not see any immediate consequences in the business
    communities; however, if our state and local agencies do not start to
    draft land use plans accordingly for the long term effects of this, we
    will experience impacts. Sea level rise will continue to become a
    pressing issue in the years to come. It is vital to plan for the future
    and set the legacy we leave behind.
        Pinellas County executed a study titled: ``Awareness and
    Implications of Sea Level Rise''. It is clear that if coastal
    communities begin to plan for sea level rise, there are options to
    protect the majority of the acreage that will eventually be impacted.
        (See Table 29, from Awareness and Implications of Sea Level Rise--
    Document is also attached).
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        ACTION TO MITIGATE THREAT: Start the planning now in conjunction
    with coastal communities; collaborate to have a unified approach.
    Zika Virus (low level)
        Though a low level threat at this time, depending on press,
    containment, number of cases it is still a threat to certain parts of
    the tourism market. Some resorts reported minor cancellations when they
    could track, but many times it is difficult to track.
        ACTION TO MITIGATE THREAT: Fund research and development of
    eradicating this disease or a cure to how harmful it is.
    Conclusion
        We recognize many of the threats that Florida's Tourism economy
    faces are uncontrollable circumstances. It is the deliberate pre
    planning and funding we invest now that will mitigate and help soften
    the immediate and long term effects on Florida's overall tourism
    economy.
        Additionally, we do not know the exact ingredient for successful
    mitigation. However, we do know that in 2010 we had a recipe for a
    major hit on this industry which was an oil spill, a severe cold snap
    and the recession. The three combined resulted in a considerable dip in
    bed tax collections, sales tax, 1000s of job losses and business
    closures. We need to be pro-active and innovative as we protect this
    industry.
        As a voice for over 730 business members and 14 communities we urge
    this committee to acknowledge all aspects of tourism and consider your
    ability to invest in the future of this indispensable economy.

        Senator Nelson. Thanks, Ms. Sollie.
        Ms. Ferenc?

              STATEMENT OF MARYANN FERENC, CHIEF EXECUTIVE

               OFFICER, MISE EN PLACE, INC.; AND MEMBER,

              BOARD OF DIRECTORS, U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION

        Ms. Ferenc. Senator Nelson and members of the Florida
    congressional delegation, I am honored to testify before you
    today as CEO and Proprietor of Mise en Place, the restaurant,
    and Mise en Place Hospitality Group, the business, which was
    born recently of that foundation. I am also here as a Board
    Member of the U.S. Travel Association, representing all sectors
    of the national travel and tourism industry. On behalf of 876
    Floridians and 15.3 million Americans whose livelihoods depend
    on a vibrant travel sector, thank you for holding this field
    hearing. It couldn't be more important to us.
        Tourism is Florida's largest industry and an integral
    component of the new economy. Tourism provides employment to
    individuals from all walks of life and all levels of education.
    Beyond that, tourism provides community, a sense of place, and
    creates destinations that other industry sectors, such as
    technology, desire to call home. Tourism has recovered faster
    than any other industry from the economic recession. My
    testimony will briefly address the progress we've made on each
    of the five policy priorities and how the Congress can help.
        Brand USA. I remember attending World Travel Market in
    London for the first time and being shocked by the
    underwhelming presence of the United States at the show. Then
    the public-private partnership Brand USA was formed with the
    bipartisan support of this committee and Congress as a whole.
    Brand USA has an important mission to attract millions of new
    international visitors by marketing the entirety of the United
    States and communicating ever-changing entry and visa policies,
    all at no expense to American taxpayers.
        As a member of the Board of Directors, I can report that
    Brand USA's activities are supported by private sector
    contributions matched by a $10 fee on visitors from the Visa
    Waiver Program nations. According to Oxford Economics, Brand
    USA has generated nearly $3.9 billion in Federal, state, and
    local taxes. This has supported 50,900 incremental jobs
    annually and overall yielded an astonishing 27-to-1 return on
    investment.
        Nonetheless, the President proposed defunding Brand USA in
    2018 by redirecting its resources to the Department of Homeland
    Security. We have been gratified by the bipartisan
    congressional response, including from Senator Nelson and
    Senator Thune of this committee. Last month, the House
    Appropriations Committee rejected the White House
    recommendation, and we seek your support as the legislative
    process continues.
        Survey of International Air Travelers, or SIAT. SIAT,
    conducted on a monthly basis continuously since 1983, provides
    information on passenger trip planning, travel patterns,
    demographics, and spending. This travel data from inbound
    foreign visitors is critical to the promotion strategies of
    destinations in Florida and across the nation.
        The administration's 2018 budget proposed disrupting SIAT's
    funding, but the Senate Appropriations Committee last month
    included report language explicitly rejecting the
    administration's proposal and even encouraged an increase in
    the sample. The pending House version of the Commerce funding
    bill is silent on SIAT, so we still have work to do, and we
    would appreciate your support.
        The Passenger Facility Charge, or PFC. PFC is an
    indispensable tool for local communities to make their own
    decisions about how to finance airport modernization. Adjusting
    the PFC ceiling would allow each airport authority to tailor
    its own PFC rate in order to maximize efficiency, reduce
    project costs, and ensure fiscal responsibility.
        At Tampa International Airport, the PFC was used to expand
    Airside F, enabling new service from four international
    airlines. One daily nonstop flight from Europe creates $156
    million annual impact for this region and creates 1,200 jobs.
    The Mise en Place companies are a good example of those jobs.
    We joined forces with other companies to create TPA
    Hospitalities and will soon own and operate eight food service
    establishments at the Tampa International Airport.
        Last month, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved an
    increase in the PFC cap from $4.50 to $8.50 for originating
    passengers. This would be the first increase in 17 years and
    protects rural passengers from having to pay a higher PFC twice
    on connecting flights. As we pursue this priority further, we
    would be very grateful for your help.
        Open Skies. Open Skies agreements have yielded hundreds of
    thousands of American travel and manufacturing jobs, billions
    of dollars in U.S. economic growth, lower airfares for
    travelers, and more flights to airports beyond the major
    gateways. Regrettably, the large legacy airlines have sought to
    disrupt Open Skies agreements with Gulf carriers. U.S. Travel
    is part of a diverse coalition of airlines, travel businesses,
    destination, and cargo companies opposed to this attack on our
    Open Skies treaties. We welcome your assistance as we continue
    to press this issue with the administration and in the
    Congress.
        Balancing security and travel facilitation. In recent
    months, the administration has proposed or implemented a
    battery of new policies intended to protect national security,
    and the travel industry certainly appreciates the need to adapt
    to evolving terror threats. But there is more to the equation.
    In the echo chamber of the foreign press, the stricter views
    and entry policies announced in recent months could serve to
    discourage potential visitors. For instance, we were alarmed
    when the Trump administration recently reversed the State
    Department's goal to meet a three-week Visa interview goal for
    Visa applicants. The U.S. Travel Association, joined by 20
    national travel and business leaders, has asked President Trump
    to reconsider.
        We detailed the economic fallout from visa processing
    delays and asked the White House to reiterate our nation's
    commitment to an efficient, world class visa process. We urge
    your continued diligence as such security policies are brought
    forward.
        We are open for business. It's our role to create the jobs.
    But there are government policies that can help rather than
    hurt. As outlined above, we need to continue to support the
    SIAT, adjust the PFC cap, support Brand USA, and defend Open
    Skies. Taken together, these policies can go a long way toward
    conveying a clear global message to international travelers
    that America is open for business and open to the millions of
    travelers that wish us well.
        Thank you again for this opportunity to participate in
    today's hearing, and thank you so much for your support to date
    on travel and tourism. It is appreciated by all of us.
        Thank you.
        [The prepared statement of Ms. Ferenc follows:]

    Prepared Statement of Maryann Ferenc, Chief Executive Officer, Mise en
      Place, Inc.; and Member, Board of Directors, U.S. Travel Association
        Senator Nelson and members of the Florida congressional delegation:

        I am honored to testify before you today as the CEO and owner of
    Mise en Place, a premier Tampa restaurant and event company since 1986,
    and the hospitality business which it created--the Mise en Place
    Hospitality Group. I am also here as a board member of the U.S. Travel
    Association, the trade association representing all sectors of the
    national travel and tourism industry. On behalf of the 876,000
    Floridians and 15.3 million Americans whose livelihoods depend on a
    vibrant travel sector, thank you for holding this field hearing. It
    couldn't be more important to us.
        The mission of U.S. Travel is to increase travel to and within the
    United States--which together yields $2.3 trillion in economic output
    annually, supporting one in nine American jobs. Last year, America
    attracted 75.6 million international visitors, making travel the
    Nation's top service export.
        Tourism is Florida's largest and, I would submit, most impactful,
    industry and an integral component of the new economy. Tourism provides
    employment to individuals from all walks of life and levels of
    education as well as a unique opportunity for on-the-job training that
    results in substantial possibilities for advancement. Beyond that,
    tourism provides community, a sense of place and destinations that
    other industry sectors, such as technology, desire to call home. In
    2016, we welcomed 112.8 million visitors, who spent $108.8 billion and
    supported 1.4 million Florida great jobs and highlighted countless
    great places to work and live as well as to visit.
        We are a resilient, self-reliant industry--and have recovered
    faster than any other industry from the economic recession. We thrive
    when we serve the public well by providing safe, efficient, productive
    and enjoyable travel experiences.
        In this context, we today respectfully urge your support for:

       full funding of Brand USA;

       retaining the Survey of International Air Travelers;

       lifting the cap on the Passenger Facility Charge user fee;

       protecting U.S. Open Skies agreements; and

       balancing needed visa and travel security protocols with a
            clear welcome message for international visitors to the United
            States.

        My testimony will briefly address the progress we've made on each
    of these priorities and steps the Congress can take to enhance travel's
    contributions to our economy.
    Brand USA
        By attracting international visitors, Brand USA enhances economic
    growth, spurs job creation and advances public diplomacy--all at no
    expense to American taxpayers. As a member of its board of directors, I
    can report that Brand USA's activities are supported by private sector
    contributions, matched by a $10 fee on visitors from Visa Waiver
    Program nations.
        Brand USA was created by statute in 2010 to help address the post-
    9/11 decade of declining U.S. share in the booming global travel
    market, costing the U.S. economy nearly a half-million travel-related
    jobs. Prior to 2010, the United States was one of the few developed
    countries in the world without a national destination marketing
    organization. I remember attending World Travel Market in London for
    the first time and being shocked by the underwhelming presence of the
    United States at the show. It was a graphic manifestation of the impact
    of travel which the U.S. was ignoring. The Travel Promotion Act,
    enacted and reauthorized in 2014, and supported by large congressional
    majorities, sought to restore our leading position in the highly
    competitive worldwide travel marketplace.
        Overseas business and leisure travelers are critical to local
    economies across our Nation. To help attract these visitors, Brand USA
    has forged working relationships with hundreds of communities--large
    and small, urban and rural--and leveraged their varied promotional
    efforts into a coherent, cost-effective and productive national
    marketing campaign.
        According to Oxford Economics, over the last four years, Brand USA
    has attracted 4.3 million incremental visitors; $13.6 billion in
    related spending; and $29.5 billion in total economic impact, including
    nearly $3.9 billion in federal, state and local taxes. This has
    supported 50,900 incremental jobs annually and overall yielded an
    astonishing 27-to-1 return on investment.
        In addition to marketing the U.S. as a destination, Brand USA is
    charged with communicating our evolving visa and entry policies, by
    addressing confusion about our security protocols that can discourage
    potential visitors from choosing U.S. destinations. Brand USA helps
    ensure that such visitors get accurate explanations of our changing
    rules--and ultimately return home to spread the word about America's
    attractions and hospitality, generating goodwill for years to come.
        In short, Brand USA is an extraordinarily successful public-private
    partnership--and not only for gateway cities. During my terms on the
    United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, under the auspices of
    the Department of Commerce, I witnessed the power and impact of
    thoughtfully-created, high-quality public-private partnerships as we
    deployed a whole-of-government approach. I was inspired by the
    organization and its efforts to represent all of our industry. I found
    it to be both inspiring and personally rewarding to support the close
    and successful partnership of extraordinarily talented civil servants
    and truly remarkable travel and tourism professionals. Brand USA is
    another fine example of this and its work has been particularly
    beneficial for small destinations with limited marketing resources that
    can leverage Brand USA's coordinated outreach overseas to market their
    brands in the global marketplace.
        Nonetheless, the President's Fiscal Year 2018 budget proposes to
    de-fund Brand USA by redirecting its resources to the Department of
    Homeland Security. We have been gratified by the bipartisan
    congressional support for Brand USA, including from Senator Nelson and
    Senator Thune of this Committee. Furthermore, last month--the House
    Appropriations Committee rejected the White House recommendation
        We appreciate the House Appropriations Committee's acknowledgement
    of the uniformly positive impact of Brand USA's work--and seek your
    support as the process continues in the Senate. With misperceptions of
    the size, quality, and vitality of America's welcome mat now in the
    foreign press, Brand USA's efforts and proven-results have never been
    more important to our communities.
    Survey of International Air Travelers (SIAT)
        The Survey of International Air Travelers (SIAT), conducted on a
    monthly basis continuously since January 1983, provides information on
    passenger trip planning, travel patterns, demographics and spending.
    This travel data from inbound foreign visitors is critical to the
    promotion strategies of destinations in Florida and across the Nation.
        The Administration's FY 2018 budget proposed disrupting SIAT's
    funding--but the Senate Appropriations Committee last month included
    report language explicitly rejecting the Administration proposal and
    even encouraging an increase in the sample size--important because the
    Commerce Department is also considering reducing the survey size and
    raising its fees.
        The pending House version of the Commerce funding bill is silent on
    SIAT, so we still have work to do--and we would appreciate your
    support.
    Passenger Facility Charge
        A key barrier to the travel industry's growth and future
    competitiveness is the poor condition and performance of our Nation's
    airports. As a result of misguided Federal policies, too many of our
    Nation's airports are outdated and unable to handle passenger demand.
        These problems are forecast to worsen and will soon be
    unsustainable. Within the next four years, the top 30 U.S. airports
    will experience passenger volumes, congestion and delays equal to the
    day before Thanksgiving at least once per week. The Federal Aviation
    Administration predicts that travel demand will exceed capacity at many
    of the Nation's largest airports within the next 15 years, unless
    airports achieve sustainable levels of capital investment.
        The Passenger Facility Charge (PFC) user fee is an indispensable
    tool for local communities to make their own decisions about whether
    and how to finance airport modernization. Adjusting the PFC ceiling
    would finally allow each airport authority to tailor its own PFC rate
    on a project-by-project basis in order to maximize efficiency, reduce
    project costs and ensure fiscal responsibility. This would also allow
    large hub airports to rely almost entirely on local user-fee funding,
    and enable Congress to redirect Airport Improvement Program (AIP)
    grants for large hubs to smaller airports that require more Federal
    assistance. At Tampa International Airport, the PFC was used to expand
    Airside F, enabling new service from Copa Airways, Edelweiss Air,
    Lufthansa Airlines and, in three weeks, Icelandair. This is in addition
    to British Airways expanding their service at Tampa International
    Airport and Southwest Airlines adding commercial service to Havana,
    Cuba. One daily non-stop flight from Europe creates a $156 million
    annual impact for this region and creates 1,200 jobs. These jobs are
    essential to the economic health of our State. The Mise en Place
    Companies are a good example of the PFC being used in a way that spurs
    growth and jobs. We joined forces with other local companies and a
    national concession powerhouse to create TPA Hospitality Partners, LLC,
    to invest millions of dollars in retail build-out at the airport, and
    to own and operate eight food service establishments.
        I'm pleased to report that last month, in the FY 2018
    transportation-funding bill, the Senate Appropriations Committee
    included an increase in the PFC cap, from $4.50 to $8.50 for
    originating passengers. By adjusting the Federal limitation on the cap,
    the Committee language would unlock desperately needed airport
    infrastructure investments that will improve the passenger experience,
    facilitate growth in domestic and international air travel, and make
    America's economy more globally competitive. This would be the first
    increase in 17 years and would protect rural passengers from having to
    pay a higher PFC twice on connecting flights.
        The Senate committee language was supported across the political
    spectrum, from the Heritage Foundation to the U.S. Conference of
    Mayors. But the path ahead is uncertain. There is no such provision in
    the Senate FAA reauthorization bill; and as you well know, the overall
    appropriations process faces parliamentary turbulence. Still, this is
    significant progress on which to build--and we're grateful for the
    Senate's leadership.
    Open Skies
        In recent decades, a cornerstone of American aviation policy has
    been the 100+ Open Skies agreements that the U.S. has negotiated with
    countries around the world. By reducing government interference in air
    travel, Open Skies agreements have yielded hundreds of thousands of
    American travel and manufacturing jobs, billions of dollars in U.S.
    economic growth, lower airfares for travelers, more flights to airports
    beyond major gateways and new opportunities for U.S. airlines willing
    to take advantage of them.
        Regrettably, the large legacy airlines have sought to disrupt
    existing Open Skies agreements with the Gulf carriers. U.S. Travel has
    participated in a diverse coalition of airlines, travel businesses,
    destinations, cargo companies and others opposed to this attack on our
    Open Skies treaties.
        On the merits of the Open Skies debate, we feel strongly that:

       Open Skies is critical to fixing America's trade deficit.
            These agreements grow international inbound visitation. Every
            dollar spent by an overseas visitor to the U.S. counts as an
            export and closes our trade deficit. In 2016, U.S. travel
            exports contributed $246 billion to our balance of payments.

       Open Skies creates jobs and has great economic impact across
            Florida. In 2016, Gulf carrier flights brought 143,000
            additional visitors to Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Orlando.
            These additional visitors spent $451 million at Florida
            businesses in these markets, which supported more than 6,000
            jobs and $291 million in income to Floridians.

       Open Skies agreements boost made-in-America manufacturing.
            Because of Open Skies, the Gulf carriers have committed to
            purchasing American products and strengthening our
            manufacturing base. The three Gulf airlines have over 300
            Boeing planes on order or currently in use, including 777s and
            new Dreamliners. These orders support thousands of American
            manufacturing jobs across the Boeing supply chain.

        In recognition of the broad economic benefits of U.S. Open Skies
    agreements, the Senate Appropriations Committee recently included
    positive report language on Open Skies in the 2018 transportation-
    funding bill. The Committee directed the Transportation Department to
    consider whether any further action is necessary in response to
    allegations by the large legacy U.S. carriers regarding unfair
    subsidies--and further encouraged DOT to protect the interests of
    travelers, the travel industry and the broader economy if any further
    action is taken.
        Open Skies agreements have led to hundreds of thousands of new
    American travel and manufacturing jobs, billions in U.S. economic
    growth, lower airfare for travelers, more flights to more airports, and
    new opportunities for U.S. airlines. Overall, they create a widespread
    effect for not only the large companies, as is often thought, but also
    a trickle down effect that actually benefits to small companies,
    communities and individuals. The Committee's report dismisses the U.S.
    legacy carriers' parochial arguments to roll back those agreements--and
    we will continue to press this issue with the Administration and in the
    Congress.
    Balancing Security and Travel Facilitation
        In recent months, the Administration has proposed or implemented a
    battery of new policies intended at protecting national security--from
    the President's executive order on immigration and travel to stricter
    vetting of visa applications. The travel industry certainly appreciates
    the need to adapt to evolving terror threats because, without
    confidence in public safety, no one will choose to travel here.
        But there is more to the equation, for the United States--and
    especially for Florida, one of the Nation's prime destinations for
    inbound international visitors. America needs to convey a clear global
    message that, while we aggressively confront all threats, we still
    welcome overseas visitors coming here to relax on our beaches or close
    deals in our boardrooms.
        As specific security proposals have been rolled out over the last
    few months, travel professionals across the country have sought to help
    Federal officials explain and implement them. At the same time, we have
    drawn on our expertise to analyze and detail for policymakers how these
    changes impact the real-life travel experience--with particular concern
    about unnecessarily exacerbating delay, confusion and inefficiency for
    travelers.
        The international travel marketplace is highly competitive. While
    the United States--and states like Florida in particular--are highly
    attractive destinations, foreign travelers have countless other
    choices. And it is clear that one factor in consumer decisions about
    where to travel is the perception of a potential destination's
    hospitality.
        America is renowned as a welcoming nation. From our iconic cities
    to the Nation's heartland, visitors know ordinary Americans will greet
    them with open arms--but only if they can get here. In the echo chamber
    of the foreign press, the series of stricter visa and entry policies
    announced in recent months could serve to discourage potential
    visitors.
        In the years after the September 11 attacks, labeled by our
    industry as the ``Lost Decade,'' travel to the United States plummeted.
    We battled back to regain our historic share of the marketplace, but it
    took ten years--and was then possible only because of sustained White
    House commitment to a National Travel and Tourism Strategy. This inter-
    agency strategy, announced in 2012 in Orlando, not only set ambitious
    goals for volumes of international visitors, but also made sensible,
    low-cost management reforms that yielded remarkable success.
        For instance, delays in the visa process had gotten so serious that
    applicants in key visiting nations--such as China, India and Brazil--
    had to wait over three months for a visa interview. After a
    presidential order requiring most visa interviews within three weeks,
    the delays were reduced to a few days, removing a disincentive to
    travel here and reducing misperceptions about U.S. policy. That was
    outstanding work that could be used as a model. I recall once more my
    time on the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board. The work on this
    subject, by dedicated individuals from the private and public sector,
    was long and arduous with results that were broad and deep. Great
    progress was made and overwhelmingly positive effects were realized--
    more travel, more jobs, more prosperity and, we believe, more security
    through greater understanding of one another as people and communities.
        For this reason, we were alarmed when the Trump Administration
    recently reversed the State Department's goal to meet a three-week visa
    interview goal for most visa applicants. After engaging the
    Administration to review its rationale, U.S. Travel--joined by 20
    national travel and business leaders--wrote to President Trump to ask
    him to reconsider. Our letter detailed the significant economic impact
    of visa processing delays, then asked the White House to reiterate our
    Nation's commitment to an efficient, world-class visa process--and to
    back that statement up with full staffing of consular personnel to meet
    the growing demand from overseas visa applicants.
        The good news is: so far this year, visitors are still choosing
    travel to the United States. The data is still very preliminary since
    international travel is typically planned long in advance, but our
    fingers remain crossed. And this is where Brand USA comes in: never has
    its statutory mission of explaining our security protocols overseas
    been more essential.
    Open For Business
        In Florida and across the nation, the travel community is being
    challenged on a daily basis but we remain upbeat and optimistic. The
    United States remains the top global destination. We're working each
    day to grow our share of the competitive and lucrative international
    market--while also serving the needs of our domestic travelers.
        It's our role to create the jobs--but there are government policies
    that can help, rather than hurt. As outlined, above, we need to adjust
    the PFC cap, support Brand USA, and defend Open Skies. By accelerating
    airport modernization, promoting the United States as a global
    destination, and preserving successful international air route
    governance, we can go a long way to conveying a clear global message--
    to both leisure and business travelers--that America is open for
    business.
        Thank you again for the opportunity to participate in today's
    hearing.

        Senator Nelson. Thank you, Ms. Ferenc.
        Dr. Roffer.

              STATEMENT OF MITCHELL A. ROFFER, PRESIDENT,

          ROFFER'S OCEAN FISHING FORECASTING SERVICE INC.; AND

           ADJUNCT FACULTY, FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,

              DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN ENGINEERING AND SCIENCES

        Dr. Roffer. Thank you. I'd like to thank you, Senator
    Nelson, for inviting me, and the panel for hearing me. I wish
    the screen had been put on the side.
        While I have done 10 years worth of research, the NASA
    funded research involved the Gulf of Mexico and various
    fisheries here and around the United States. Today, I'm going
    to be talking more about the fishing industry.
        So when we wake up in the morning, Floridians and tourists,
    we all have the assumption of clean water and clean air, and up
    to now, we've had it. So the assumption of clean air and water
    goes to an abundant source of resources that includes fish and
    undersea fisheries and biodiversity. Healthy ecosystems is, in
    fact, the economic engine in the state.
        Recreational boating in Florida has put together
    approximately $10 billion in value. Eighty-three thousand to
    115,000 jobs have gone to strictly recreational boating in the
    state of Florida. The Tarpon Bonefish Foundation estimated the
    actual impact of the state's saltwater fishing as $7.6 billion.
    So the fishing industry is quite a big deal in the state of
    Florida.
        As we know, we have a decline in water quality, as we've
    seen recently around the state. It's a decline in revenue, as
    we've heard from other panelists and yourself, Senator Nelson,
    as well as a loss of reputation which we've also heard. The
    biggest threats that I've seen is now what's under our
    control--is water quality and habitat degradation and loss.
        Secondary threats, but big threats as well, not under our
    control, unfortunately, is climate change, and these things
    involve changes in fish migrations. The water gets too hot, the
    fish don't visit Florida anymore, and we don't have fish in our
    areas for fishermen to go, or the catchability changes. Climate
    change involves sea level rise, changes in pH, as well as
    changes in oxygen levels.
        So the threats in our state come from inside the state and
    outside the state. We didn't have to go too far--and you've
    already discussed it--if you turn around just briefly, you'll
    look at a reminder of the Deepwater Horizon spill, what it did.
    We talked about the beautiful beaches in Panama Beach were
    turned into, unfortunately, an oil color. And we also should
    not forget the Deepwater Horizon and the amount of oil that
    spilled that destroyed animals and potentially our beaches
    throughout the entire state.
        We look at the polluted water, not just the oil that was
    recoverable. The water--we tracked the water that actually
    touched the oil at some point and tracked it using satellite
    data around the state. We noticed that it came off the West
    Florida shelf and down into the Keys, and then we lost
    continuity with it, and we really couldn't tell. So had we not
    had the loop current pulling this oil away and the wind not
    cooperating, we would have had a lot of oil on the west coast
    of Florida as well as the Florida Keys.
        So in terms of Gulf Stream connectivity, we have a great
    deal of threat in terms of industrial threat or even terrorist
    threat, one from the Gulf of Mexico using a loop current in the
    Gulf Stream system. The other is from Mexico and Cuba. Put
    something in the Gulf Stream, and it will go into the Florida
    Keys and the east coast of Florida. Also, we have threats from
    out-of-state that work down the east coast of Florida from the
    north. These are all critical issues in terms of water quality.
        So in-state water quality threats--we've changed our
    patterns of water flow throughout the state. The water used to
    run straight down the Everglades. It was a great thing.
    Unfortunately, at the time, people thought it was best to put
    in canals and divert the water to the coast. Unfortunately,
    people have been dragging our feet to get that water flow back
    to the Everglades where now Florida Bay is starving from lack
    of freshwater. So other water projects in the state have
    changed the flow alternations which, in fact, changes the
    ecosystem in the state.
        One of the other threats to the state of Florida is the
    lack of user remediation. Users are not required in the state
    of Florida to clean their water after using it, whether it's
    you or I, or industry. They use the water and they put it right
    back into the canals, the rivers, and the bays, and then the
    rest of us have to suffer. Algae blooms--polluted water is
    dumped right back in. I mean, Lake Okeechobee is a classic
    example of agricultural dumping into the lake, and that water
    now has been spread to both sides of the state, causing a great
    deal of problems.
        Another threat is no environmental bond is taken for
    remediation insurance for people who use the water and have
    coastal businesses. An example--people simply, when they have
    an environmental problem, like they had at Piney Point several
    years ago in Manatee County--``Well, we'll go out of business.
    We won't worry about the problem. We'll walk away from it and
    let--that's the state's problem.'' That became a big problem.
    Added phosphate to the water, and now people are even talking
    about putting that water in subsurface and doing some internal
    drilling to put that nutrient rich water away.
        Algae blooms is a major, major threat. We have too much
    nitrogen and phosphorus in our ecosystem. It comes from a whole
    host of varieties of sources. We've changed from really great
    sea grasses, which support a lot of our ecology, to a real big
    mess. This is an example, the picture here, showing what
    happened just last year from the water spill coming down from
    Lake Okeechobee--fish kills, animals were killed, and look at
    the human advisory. This goes in the news all around the world,
    and people--``Why should we come to Florida anymore?''--because
    you can't even touch the water. So this is a big problem.
    Boatwork people have lost money. Hell's Bay Boatworks lost $1.5
    million--a very popular skiff making company in central
    Florida, Titusville.
        Red tide comes from too much nitrogen and phosphorus, which
    we can control. It is a major problem. Sarasota, Pinellas
    County--you recognize this picture. This is from your beaches
    here just a few years ago. Smelly fish on the beaches. The
    beaches--they're not going to go there--plus the toxic in the
    air, the burning of the eyes and the lungs of the tourists.
        Another threat we have in the state of Florida is the lack
    of an integrated coastal ocean observing system. We have no way
    to monitor the health of our ecosystem as it is right now, none
    whatsoever. There are some minor studies done by the state. We
    really need an integrated ocean observing system in the state.
    This is like having a doctor checking the health, the diagnosis
    of the ocean. It protects the economic engine. It just doesn't
    tell people about where there's blooms. It's very important.
    Nationally, there's a bill, Bill 1425, that's up, and we would
    like all your support for that.
        Climate change--as I go into my final slides on this. It's
    more than just warming. It's oxygen loss. It's pH. When you
    have pH declining, heavy metals increase the toxicity. One of
    the panelists mentioned that, well, sea level rise is not a big
    deal. Ask the people in South Beach if sea level rise is not a
    problem. This has become a daily occurrence now in South
    Beach--closing beaches. That's a big problem. When your beaches
    close due to sea level rise and municipal waste going in
    because the sewers are backing up, that's a problem.
        Habitat loss--well known. Our coral reefs are dying from
    overheating from global warming as well as vessel groundings.
    Look at the beautiful coral on the left in 1980, and in 2011,
    and even worse now. This is our economic engine, and we're
    letting it crash in front of us. Habitat loss from development
    has taken away so many mangroves, which filter the water, which
    help keep our economy going strong.
        The threat from highly migratory species. If that's not
    managed properly, then the fish will lose--will decline in
    abundance and won't come into our waters. A lot of the fish
    that I'm talking about are internationally managed, but some in
    the state. I won't get into the red snapper issue whatsoever.
    There's other issues with regard to fisheries management,
    namely, the antiquated management assessments that they have--
    single models. But that's in my written testimony. I won't go
    into that now.
        Port development and industrialization. Yes, we need better
    transportation in the state, but we do not need to become like
    New York or Newark, New Jersey. The picture up at the top is
    from Cape Canaveral as it presently looks. The picture below is
    from Newark. Which one would you rather have? I certainly
    wouldn't want our ports and bays to look something like this.
        Additional threats are in my presentation as well as my
    testimony. We have outdated municipal water treatment
    facilities. Sewage is dumping right into the water and
    elsewhere--not good for tourists when they see pictures of
    floating poop in our water.
        Loss of groundwater. Municipalities gain too much water
    without proper management plants. Intake from power plants for
    cooling. We haven't talked about nuclear meltdown. That used to
    be a thing of science fiction in the movies, but Japan showed
    us otherwise a couple of years ago. Importation of exotic
    species, and, of course, loss of access to the water and the
    need to dredge waterways is very important to have our access
    to the water.
        So I've taken a little bit too much time, but I thank you.
    The picture behind you shows how some people enjoy the water,
    and let the questions begin.
        [The prepared statement of Dr. Roffer follows:]

      Prepared Statement of Mitchell A. Roffer, President, Roffer's Ocean
        Fishing Forecasting Service Inc.; and Adjunct Faculty, Florida
     Institute of Technology, Department of Ocean Engineering and Sciences
    Introduction
        I am Mitchell A. Roffer, President of Roffer's Ocean Fishing
    Forecasting Service Inc., and Adjunct Faculty at the Florida Institute
    of Technology, Department of Ocean Engineering and Sciences. I received
    my Doctorate from the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine
    and Atmospheric Science in Biological Oceanography.
    ROFFSTM provides a variety of consulting services to the
    recreational and commercial fishing industries, as well as, to the oil
    and gas industry, ocean towing industry, environmental consulting
    organizations, as well as, to academic and government organizations. I
    am actively involved in ocean research with a variety of collaborators
    from academia, the government sector and non-governmental
    organizations. I was a member of NASA's Ecological and Biodiversity
    Science team for 11 years. Thus, I am in constant contact with a broad
    range of people who conduct business in Florida, as well as, fish in
    Florida in addition to those visitors who travel to Florida to fish and
    use the water.
        When people visit Florida as tourists and when Floridians get up
    each morning they assume that the air and water will be clean and that
    the waters will provide an abundance of marine life whether it be fish,
    marine mammals like dolphins and manatees, turtles, or birds. Over the
    years Florida has had sufficient clean air, clean water and healthy
    marine life to support good fisheries and fantastic tourism. The
    National Marine Manufacturers Association estimated that the total
    annual economic impact of recreational boating in Florida is $10.35
    Billion. Recreational boating provides for approximately 83K jobs in
    5.5K businesses. See (http://www.nm
    ma.org/assets/cabinets/Cabinet508/
    Florida_Boating_Economics%20State.pdf). The State of Florida (http://
    www.myfwc.com/about/overview/economics/) cites very similar numbers.
        Governor Scott's Report (http://www.flgov.com/2016/06/10/gov-scott-
    florida-continues-to-lead-the-nation-in-saltwater-fishing-jobs-and-
    revenue/) indicates that with 2014 data from NOAA, indicates that
    Florida is number one in the Nation in jobs supported by the
    recreational saltwater fishing industry at 114,898 jobs. The report
    states ``Our state's world class boating and fishing also helped
    attract a record 105 million tourists in 2015.'' According to the
    report, Florida's commercial seafood industry was third in the Nation
    in 2014 in numbers of jobs supported with 92,858 jobs. Florida is also
    second in the Nation when it comes to highest sales, income and value-
    added impacts from the commercial fishing industry with 18.3 billion in
    sales impacts. The 2014 data are the latest economic data available.
        The Bonefish & Tarpon Trust estimated that statewide, saltwater
    fishing has an annual economic impact of $7.6 billion. When considered
    by region, some of the annual economic impact numbers are: $1 billion
    for the Florida Everglades; $765 million for the Florida Keys; $110
    million for the tarpon fishery in Charlotte Harbor; and $59 million for
    the Treasure Coast tarpon fishery.
        These are the economic yields are only possible if Florida
    continues to have clean air, clean water and healthy ecosystems, our
    true economic engine. Unfortunately, during the last few decades we
    have witnessed declines in the water quality and habitat which are
    impacting the fisheries and associated economies. For example a recent
    Miami Times article cites that that Hells Bay Boatworks of Titusville,
    FL which manufactures fishing skiffs, lost $1.5M in boat sales in
    Florida in association with declining water quality and fish abundance.
    The article reports loss of sales for other boat manufacturers as
    well--all due to Florida's water quality and habitat issues.
    Threats to Florida's Coastal Ocean Economy
    Threats Coming from External Sources
        Threats to our coastal ocean economy come from sources external and
    inside (domestic) the State of Florida. Threats from outside the state
    include pollution from oil and gas development as evidenced by the BP
    Deepwater Horizon where oil from another state was transported by the
    currents and winds to the Florida panhandle and along the west Florida
    coast. If we were not so lucky to have a very large Loop Current eddy
    form and pull the oil westward, the oil would have reached the Florida
    Keys and southeast Florida. (images of oil and currents).
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Figure 1. ROFFSTM Oil Oceanographic Analysis from May
    24, 2014 with evidence that what ROFFSTM was mapping was oil
    from the British Petroleum Deepwater Horizon oil spill
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Figure 2. A reminder of what the Deepwater Horizon oil spill looked
    like at ground level.
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Figure 3. Map of the water (red) that came in contact with the BP
    Deepwater Horizon oil. Note that ROFFSTM was able to
    reliably follow the polluted water into the Florida Keys.

        Oil and chemical pollution along with other hazardous materials
    could easily come to Florida from Mexico via the Yucatan Current and
    Cuba via the Florida Current both part of the Gulf Stream. It could
    also come from other south Atlantic states (e.g., North Carolina, South
    Carolina and Georgia) as the currents all provide pathways to Florida
    as shown in Figure 4.
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Figure 4. Modified from a ROFFSTM Oil Oceanographic
    Analysis shows blue arrows as the major ocean current paths of oil and
    other pollutants to enter Florida waters.
    Domestic Florida Threats
        Perhaps the biggest threat to Florida's fisheries and nature-based
    economy come from within. Altered freshwater flows to our estuaries are
    causing significant damage to coastal ecosystems, with predictably
    negative impacts on fisheries and tourism. The 2016 algae bloom in the
    St. Lucie Estuary was bad enough it made national news, as did the
    large fish kills in the Indian River Lagoon and Florida Bay. As bad as
    these events were, they are reflections of a much larger issue--a long-
    term and worsening strategy of water and habitat management. Clean
    water and healthy habitats are the factory that produces the fisheries
    and nature-based tourism for which Florida is famous. Unless the
    strategy is changed to protect and restore water quality and habitats
    rather than exploit them, the state's fisheries and mature-based
    tourism will continue to decline, as will their economic impact.
        A major issue is the poor water management within the State.
    Industrial and other users of our precious water resources are not
    required to completely remediate their water after they use it. So
    fantastic amounts of nutrients, pesticides, hormones from cattle,
    citrus and other agriculture get dumped into the canals and rivers that
    either run to coasts via the canal system or enter our lakes. These
    result in algae blooms that kill our ecosystems. For example, Lake
    Okeechobee receives nutrient and pesticide polluted water and then
    algae blooms form. Some like cyanobacteria are harmful to humans.
        The polluted Lake Okeechobee water is diverted from its natural
    flow to the Everglades to the east coast and west coast via Port St.
    Lucie and via the Caloosahatchee River estuary. In the last few years
    we have experienced massive fish kills from the toxic water from both
    the toxins in the water, from the massive abnormal amounts of
    freshwater in which the fish, marine mammals, and invertebrates can not
    survive in. The algae shades the sea grass resulting in its demise.
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Figure 5. A montage of dead animals from polluted water around Port
    St. Lucie in 2016. The Department of Health posted warnings to avoid
    contact with the water.

        When either the fish die or the algae dies, the decomposition uses
    most of not all of the available oxygen producing anoxic conditions
    which kill the remaining organisms. This is happening all over the
    state in different degrees. In my backyard, the Indian River Lagoon
    system lost between 60 percent and 80 percent of its sea grass from
    algae blooms blocking the light from the bottom vegetation. Also when
    the plants die the increased turbidity from the sediments along with
    the algae bloom prevent new vegetation from growing back.
        The algae bloom threat to the Florida fishing economy also comes in
    the form of red tide and other hazardous algae blooms (HABS) that not
    only kill fish, but also produce airborne irritation that causes
    serious respiratory problems along with coughing, sneezing, and burning
    eyes to coastal visitors. Loss of beach traffic and fishing causes
    significant economic loss. The HABS threat is directly related to the
    increase in nutrients entering the water from numerous sources
    including agriculture, urban runoff, leaking septic tanks, residential
    use of fertilizer, and grass clippings entering the water, etc. Another
    threat is the lack of economic data on the losses from such events.
    Florida State and local tourist departments do not like to talk about
    red tide and algae blooms. They would rather show photos of beautiful
    beaches and amusement parks.
        What happens to the Florida economy when algae bloom occur? Fish
    leave the area and/or die and people stop fishing and buying equipment,
    bait, and boats. In the past 18 months it has been estimated that
    Hell's Bay Boatworks, a major Florida boat manufacturer has lost $1.5
    million in revenue recently due to the loss of sales. They minimized
    their losses recently by shipping their boats out of state for sale
    which historically they never did. Other Florida-based boat
    manufacturers have lost 80 percent of their revenue. (see Miami Times
    article by Isabella Gomes August 04, 2017. http://
    www.miaminewtimes.com/news/florida-boat-industry-underwater-from-water-
    crisis-9502729)
        While our coastal areas are getting too much freshwater from the
    center of the State, the southern Everglades and especially Florida Bay
    is suffering from lack of freshwater. The National Academy of Sciences
    has considered this as well as all the so-called water managers. A
    short review can be found in the Miami Herald (http://
    www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article126205254.html).
    Apparently Florida Bay needs approximately 30 Billion more gallons of
    freshwater per year. See the free National Academy of Sciences
    ``Progress Toward Restoring the Everglades: The Sixth Biennial Review--
    2016'' (https://www.nap.edu/catalog/23672/progress-toward-restoring-
    the-everglades-the-sixth-biennial-review-2016).
        Another threat is the loss of groundwater and the pollution of
    groundwater. In my opinion we are selling too much of our groundwater
    and managing our surface freshwater poorly. In some cases like the St.
    Johns River Management District, they are allowing municipalities to
    extract more freshwater from the St. Johns River than a safe water
    budget requires. Downstream the ecosystems suffer from lack of water.
        To fix these problems one must stop the pollution, fix the plumbing
    and restore the ecosystems. This takes expertise, comprehensive study
    and monitoring and of course time and money. Brevard County has taken
    steps to repair and restore the Indian River Lagoon through a special
    sales tax the residents voted for. Only time will tell if we waited too
    long to act.
        Another domestic Florida threat to the coastal ocean economy is
    from industrial waste pollution being dumped into our Florida waters.
    This threat includes phosphate mining discards and storage water from
    the industrial processing. I remind you of the Piney Point, Florida
    polluted waste water ``containment'' ponds breaking and entering the
    Tampa Bay in 2003. A ``solution'' permitted by the Florida Department
    of Environmental Protection was to allow partially treated highly
    polluted water to enter the coastal waters of Manatee County. Now there
    is serious discussion about injecting this polluted water underground.
    We learned from the BP Deepwater Horizon that polluters often want to
    remove the surface pollution to keep the public and media from seeing
    it. A related threat is that businesses are not required to post a
    meaningful, non-refundable environmental remediation bonds. Thus, many
    polluters ``go out of business'' and walk away.
        One domestic threat to our Florida economy is the lack of a fully
    funded, comprehensive coastal ocean monitoring system. This would allow
    objective, non-politically motivated scientists a continuously funded
    system to gather the necessary data to understand the changes in the
    health of the ecosystems. Automated and non-automated warning systems
    based on complete sampling regimes can be devised. Presently the State
    only samples a relatively few areas on a limited schedule. Based on my
    experience and opinion, it appears they do not sample extensively or
    comprehensively so that they do not find problems or the sources of the
    problems. A coastal ocean observing system would protect the economic
    engine of Florida by monitoring the health of the ecosystem and provide
    information that would be used to create management strategies to fix
    the problems before they become too severe. The idea is to identify the
    results of the good management practices and non-effective practices.
    Having a coastal ocean observing system is like having a full time
    medical doctor watching your health. Observations and diagnoses must be
    made to properly treat the patient. In our case the patient is the
    Florida ecosystem and Florida tourist economy. Such a system would also
    likely save lives from the resulting real-time current data and
    improved search and rescue models.
        Another domestic threat to our economic engine is the loss of fish
    nursery habitats and the degradation of all fish related habitats. This
    is important as the amount of habitat greatly influences the total
    abundance of a fish species. It is well known that habitat quality and
    connectivity will influence fish health, survival, and abundance.
    Cutting the natural flow of water and destroying nursery and essential
    habitat will destroy the fisheries that are an economic engine in
    Florida. According to Dr. Aaron Adams of the Tarpon Bonefish Trust who
    studies such issues, there has been a loss of approximately 50 percent
    mangrove habitat in Florida. At least 9.3 million acres of wetlands,
    more than two million acres of seagrass and up to 80 percent loss of
    naturally occurring oyster beds. This has caused a decline in the
    abundance of many fish that are fished recreationally and commercially.
    Given that the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission does a
    good job managing fisheries, it is clear that the declining fisheries
    are due to habitat loss and degradation. We can not afford to lose any
    more habitat and the negatively affect habitat should be remediated.
    These habitat losses stem a variety of causes particularly coastal
    development, water pollution, poor management of the freshwater flow in
    the State.
        The loss of coral habitat is a particular threat to Florida's
    fisheries and tourist economy. Coral habitats are nursery areas for
    many fish that are important components of the Florida fishing economy
    such as snappers and groupers. They are also the habitat for important
    adult fisheries. Coral reefs have been destroyed by improper anchoring
    and by direct damage by boat groundings.
        A much larger threat to the coral ecosystem is coral bleaching from
    overheating of the waters and also due to the decline in pH of our
    oceans. Not only do corals die from overheating, they are also more
    susceptible to diseases. See Eakin et al., 2010 (https://doi.org/
    10.1371/journal.pone.0013969) for more details)
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Figure 6. Photo of the same area of Florida corals taken in 1980
    and 2011. Photo credit Mote Marine Laboratory

        Another Florida domestic threat to our fisheries tourist economy is
    the dumping of treated and untreated wastewater into our canals,
    rivers, estuaries and oceans. The threat is that many water and
    municipal managers think that the solution to pollution is dilution.
    This is a dangerous threat to the Florida economy. Firstly the polluted
    water should be totally remediated by its users before being returned
    to our rivers, bays and oceans. Just last week the Miami Metro-Dade
    County sewage outfall pipe was found to be leaking polluted water in
    the coastal waters. See http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/
    environment/article164655777.html
        Part of this wastewater threat is that water treatment plants in
    the State have not increased their operational capacity or modernized
    their treatment technology. Far too many pharmaceuticals, pesticides,
    pesticide by-products and nutrients enter our waters from our permitted
    municipal water treatment plants. These are negatively affecting our
    fisheries ecosystems from the rivers and bays to the ocean ecosystem
    including hard and soft reef ecosystems.
        Improved wastewater treatment is especially urgent given that many
    Florida homes must be converted from septic tanks to municipal sewerage
    systems. Numerous studies have demonstrated that many regions of
    Florida are not appropriate for septic systems, and in many locations
    the density of homes is too high for septic systems to be effective.
    These septic systems leak excessive nutrients into Florida's coastal
    waterways, adding to the problems associated with surface runoff.
        Inadequate or improper fisheries management is a threat to the
    State fisheries tourism. Since Florida fisheries operate in State and
    Federal waters the fisheries are managed by the State and by the South
    Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery
    Management Council. The threat is the lack of modernization of their
    stock assessment methods from data collection to single species models
    that do not incorporate environmental data--covariants into their
    assessment. Estimates of abundance are often biased and often do not
    reflect what the fishermen are experiencing in the water or what modern
    estimates of abundance would show. Over managing the fisheries results
    in opportunity losses, but under-management or mismanagement results in
    overfished stocks. A multi-species, habitat oriented and
    environmentally sensitive system of stock assessment and management
    needs to be established.
        Another threat to Florida fisheries is the poor management and
    over-fishing of fish stocks outside Florida that migrate to Florida.
    When populations that migrate to Florida decline in abundance, then it
    affects the Florida fisheries. Tuna, swordfish, sailfish along with
    blue and white marlin are examples of this. See Restrepo et al., 2003
    (https://doi.org/10.1071/MF02057) and http://www.takemarlinoffthe
    menu.org/global_status_of_billfish. Recent efforts to ban commercial
    swordfish longline fishing in Florida waters has been effective for
    Florida's recreational swordfish fisheries. The threat is to open this
    fishery to commercial longlining again. The bycatch of many other
    valuable species occurs during longlining operations.
    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Figure 7. Example of recreationally caught swordfish in Florida
    (left). Photo credit Richard Gibson and Marlin Magazine.

        Another threat to the Florida fisheries economy is the mortality of
    fish caught, removed from the water to take photos that damage the
    fish, and returned to the water. This threat comes in the form of lack
    of enforcement of existing laws on removing highly migratory species
    from the water, and also due to the lack of educational programs to
    educate fishers of this issue.
        Port development is yet another threat to the Florida economy. The
    tourist economy benefits from cruise ships bringing visitors to
    Florida. However, the further development for cargo and ships that
    transport chemicals including petroleum is a threat as they add
    additional pollution to the port areas and the surrounding land areas
    through increased truck traffic as associated pollution. My personal
    view is that Florida ports should not become like the Port of Newark,
    NJ. Port expansion usually results in the loss of essential fish and
    bird habitats.
        Another threat to the Florida fisheries economy is leakage of
    nuclear waste and overheated water from nuclear power plants. A further
    threat is the loss of fish larvae and juvenile fish that are killed
    when the power plants pump water to cool their power production.
        Additional threats come from fish and other wildlife being imported
    illegally or disposed of illegally. One only has to look as far as the
    Burmese python in south Florida and central Florida. The lionfish is
    another example of alien species changing our ecosystem. See http://
    myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/nonnatives/ for a list.
        A final threat to the Florida fisheries economy is climate change.
    The change in the absolute abundance along with the changing of the
    migratory patterns in time and space is a major issue. For example
    warmer winters have resulted in the late or reduced arrival of the
    migratory sailfish into south Florida waters. Without reliably good
    fishing many tourists who have traveled to Florida are not traveling to
    other locations (e.g., Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Dominican Republic)
    to fish. Temperature increases are causing significant coral reef
    mortality and disease. Sea level rise and increase flooding in some
    Florida locations like Miami have a negative impact on marina
    operations including boat dockage and storage.
    Most Important Threat
        To list which single overall threat is the biggest is a difficult
    task. In the present and near term, water quality along with the
    degradation and destruction of habitat is the biggest threat. In the
    future, water availability and quality along with climate change are
    likely to be the biggest issues.
        I would like to acknowledge help in the writing/editing of this
    testimony including photo sources: Aaron Adams (Bonefish Tarpon Trust),
    Mark Eakin (NOAA), George Maul (Florida Institute of Technology) and
    Kellie Ralston (American Sportfishing Association).

        Senator Nelson. All right. Thank you, Dr. Roffer.
        I want to welcome all the folks from so many different
    counties that have come today. Would all the elected officials
    who are in the audience--would you stand and be recognized,
    please?
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. Thank you very much.
        Would all the members of the Chambers of Commerce in the
    entire Tampa Bay region--would you stand and be recognized?
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. Very good.
        And we have a number of environmental advocacy groups that
    are here. Would you stand and be recognized?
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. Well, as you can see, there's broad
    interest.
        Now, in a Senate hearing, what is typical is the Chairman
    will start the questions first, and then the Ranking Member
    will ask. Since I'm running the show, I'm going to break the
    normal, and because of our two congressional colleagues--I want
    you all to have the first chances.
        So, Madam Congresswoman?
        Ms. Castor. Well, good afternoon, everyone. Thank you,
    Senator Nelson, for calling us all together. You simply cannot
    understate the importance of having a leader like Senator
    Nelson from the state of Florida as the leader in the Congress
    when it comes to these issues on the Commerce Committee,
    Science----
        [Applause.]
        Ms. Castor. So thank you very much. And you are right.
    Travel and tourism are the lifeblood of Florida's economy, and
    we've all got to work together to do everything we can to
    protect it and to ensure that it thrives.
        Robin, you'll remember this. It is etched in my memory,
    more than most things in my career, my professional career--was
    in the days after the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, when we
    convened a working group of small business owners there at the
    TradeWinds on the beach, and we had one business owner who was
    weathering the recession. But, boy, the BP Deepwater Horizon
    came in and it was a very difficult one to punch. She cried.
    She brought me to tears. She was facing significant layoffs and
    maybe an end to her business, and she was not alone.
        In the days--remember that the oil spewed out for five
    months, 5 months, and that was what the rest of the world saw.
    No oil on the beaches in the whole Tampa Bay area, and yet the
    tourists didn't come. So we've learned lessons, haven't we?
    We've got to do everything to ensure that that never happens
    again.
        And God bless the folks here at the University of South
    Florida and the College of Marine Sciences, and, Dr. Sanberg, I
    know you're very proud of them, and Dean Dixon, Dean Hogarth.
    Boy, we had Dr. Weisberg explaining the loop current to
    everyone, and Dr. Hollander that was fighting for the oil
    sample that we had to kind of--we had to shame BP into
    providing--fighting for the research dollars to come. So thank
    you. The Weatherbird research vessel was out sampling the oil
    before anyone else was. So this was ground zero for protection
    of our economy and our environment.
        Senator, you were kind of modest, because you didn't
    mention the role that you played in passing the RESTORE Act in
    the years after the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster. You all
    remember the RESTORE Act was the law that we passed to ensure
    that 80 percent of all of the fines and penalties that BP and
    the other polluters had to pay came back to the Gulf Coast.
        Now, the importance of the RESTORE Act is more plain than
    ever, because we're facing very significant cuts from the Trump
    administration when it comes to science, research, whether
    we're talking about NOAA or EPA or the other science-based
    agencies. But those RESTORE Act funds will continue to flow for
    years to come, and they will be very important in addressing
    algae blooms and the change of climate. But I wanted to thank
    you for that, because I don't think that should go unmentioned
    today.
        But we learned our lessons, and I think, as we set
    priorities for leaving here, we do have to prioritize the
    offshore oil drilling, and it's very heartening to hear there
    is a bipartisan effort to extend the moratorium from 2022 for
    another 5 years. I have filed the Coastal Protection Act for a
    number of years now that would make the moratorium permanent.
        [Applause.]
        Ms. Castor. And we have bipartisan support. But what we
    need is a unified Florida delegation. It's only through
    bipartisan unity that we are going to get that accomplished. So
    I'm going to highlight that to you all.
        The other huge challenge that we're facing, of course, is
    the change in climate, and this is going to be very costly to
    our businesses and everyone that lives in Florida and
    everywhere else. But think about what we're facing here in
    Florida when it comes to cost--higher AC bills, beach re-
    nourishment that our local government officials fight for,
    higher flood insurance rates, property insurance rates,
    property taxes, because our local governments are going to have
    to be more resilient in improving water and waste water
    infrastructure. So if we do not act now to get ahead of this,
    we are going to be facing a very difficult future.
        So in addition to clean air and clean beaches, it's time to
    fight for clean energy in Florida. And, Mayor Kriseman, I want
    to thank you----
        [Applause.]
        Ms. Castor.--because here in the Sunshine City, you've been
    the most outspoken advocate--and I see Councilman Rice and
    Councilman Nurse and Commissioner Welch. This is the place
    where it can happen. Did you all know that Florida is one of
    the worst states in the country in producing energy through
    renewables--one of the worst, the Sunshine State. New Jersey,
    Georgia, North Carolina produce more energy through solar power
    than the Sunshine State. I think we can do a lot better, and we
    can have our community thrive. We can grow, we can build jobs
    in this clean energy sector, and it will improve our tourism
    based economy.
        I'd like to offer into the record, Senator, the editorial
    from the Tampa Bay Times just today. They're coming fast and
    furious after the National Report of Scientists on Climate, the
    University of Florida Report that was out today.
        So I'll offer this for the record, ``Climate Threats to
    Florida Mount.''
        [The information referred to follows:]

     Tampa Bay Times--Thursday, August 10, 2017--Opinion--Times editorials

                         Climate threats to Fla. mount

        The latest Federal report on the Earth's warming climate doesn't
    mince words about the disturbing trends, man's contributions or the
    dangers that millions across the globe already face, especially in low-
    lying coastal areas in Florida and elsewhere. It is yet another call to
    action for federal, state and local officials--and they all have a role
    to play in curbing emissions of heat-trapping gases, shoring up
    infrastructure, improving flood control and finding more efficient ways
    for societies to grow and manage their populations.
        Drafted by scientists at 13 Federal agencies, the report cited the
    warming trend as ``global, long term and unambiguous.'' Global
    temperatures have increased by about 1.6 degrees over the past 150
    years, the study found, and thousands of studies have created ``many
    lines of evidence'' to conclude that human activity is primarily behind
    the changing climate. The authors found it ``extremely likely'' that
    most of the warming since 1951 was caused by humans, and that even if
    emissions were to cease, existing levels of greenhouse gases in the
    atmosphere would cause temperatures to increase at least a half-degree
    Fahrenheit over this century.
        The report, by 30 lead authors representing agencies such as NASA,
    Federal laboratories, the private sector and universities, is part of
    the National Climate Assessment. That is a congressionally mandated
    analysis that seeks to build on the existing science and provide a
    snapshot of the current state of climate change. It found an increase
    in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather, and warming in the
    Arctic at twice the rate of the global average--a phenomenon that
    couldimpact sea levels, the weather and other patterns in the lower 48
    states. One-third of the sea level rise since 1880 has occurred since
    1990, and coastal communities from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic
    are at increasing risk of routine flooding, saltwater intrusion into
    the drinking water supply and the collapse of roads, utilities and
    other vital infrastructure. That puts Florida's east and west
    coastlines at risk, yet Gov. Rick Scott's administration has beenless
    aggressive than local governments in South Florida and Tampa Bay in
    addressing the challenges.
        The findings contradict the talking points of the Trump
    administration, which has openly questioned the science behind climate
    change and the degree that humans contribute to it, and which has moved
    to reverse the clean-air initiatives of the Obama White House. The
    unpublished analysis was made available to the New York Times days
    before Sunday's deadline for the 13 Federal agencies to approve the
    report. Making the report public at least forces the Trump
    administration to explain why it does or does not stand behind the
    science.
        This national assessment lays a foundation for securing Federal
    funding and regulatory direction on climate policy, and it offers state
    and local governments the technical assistance they need to incorporate
    the impact of climate change into their planning for infrastructure,
    land use and other long-term issues. States and cities, though, cannot
    cede all responsibility to the Federal Government. Studies show
    Florida, for example, has invested trillions of dollars in
    infrastructure with virtually no consideration given to rising sea
    levels. Rising seas could swell Tampa Bay up to 19 inches over the next
    quarter-century,putting tens of thousands of residents at risk. The
    Federal study is another wake-up call about a threat that is real, here
    and more pressing by the day.

        Ms. Castor. This is the challenge of our time. We do not
    want to be left with our children and grandchildren asking us,
    ``What did you do? What did you do? Did you address this? Did
    you fight for our way of life?'' We're so fortunate to live
    here.
        So maybe I'll ask my question. Robin, you remember that day
    when we would bring businesses together. What would it mean to
    them now to know that they would have a little more breathing
    room if we were able to extend the moratorium on oil drilling
    off the coast of Florida or make it permanent?
        Ms. Sollie. It would mean the world to them,
    professionally, and I think, personally, because they not only
    work on the beaches but they live on the beaches. We talk about
    this, as you know, and have been for many, many years, and
    thank you for your support on the issue. They're fearful. They
    don't want to see that happen again. So extending the
    moratorium or getting it to be permanent is amazing, and we, as
    an organization in coastal communities, will do everything we
    can to support your role in helping make that happen.
        Senator Nelson. The editorial will be introduced into the
    record.
        Congressman?
        Mr. Crist. Thank you very much, Senator. I want to add to
    what Representative Castor had to say in thanking you. Thank
    you, Senator Nelson, for your great leadership in this arena.
    You understand, as a Floridian, how important all these things
    are to all these people in this room and beyond, how it affects
    tourism, how it affects their businesses, whether they be
    restaurants or hotels or resorts on the beach, or people who
    are fishing, charter people. It has an enormous impact on
    everything that we do.
        You know, I tell people all the time I have the honor of
    representing the most beautiful district in America. So does
    Kathy.
        [Laughter.]
        Mr. Crist. And, of course, the Senator has the opportunity
    to represent the most beautiful state in America. All of you
    here understand that and the importance of what we're talking
    about and these issues, how sea level rise affects us in a very
    direct way, Commissioner, and what it does when it comes to
    flood insurance, the things that Representative Castor
    addressed as well.
        So I'll pose the following question to anybody who would
    like to respond to it. With nearly unanimous scientific
    consensus that man-made climate change is, in fact, real, how
    can we proactively protect our businesses that rely on tourist
    dollars from the impacts of more severe weather-related events,
    such as hurricanes and flooding?
        Ms. Ferenc. I would say--thank you very much for the
    question, and, again, thank you for the opportunity to answer.
    I would say that it's the reason why organizations across the
    county, locally, and at the state level, and then at the
    national level, are so important to us, because getting the
    word out to our state and beyond and internationally now when a
    disaster occurs is what is the difference between it being a
    moment and it being a long, long problem for the economy of the
    state.
        So we really can make a difference, and we saw that. I
    think we've gotten much better at it since the oil spill, and
    we've improved, both at the local and state levels, and at the
    national level, in terms of getting a message out immediately.
    But I think it's the reason why we need to continue to do such
    things like fund Visit Florida and fund Brand USA so that we
    can be--so we are prepared at those levels. If we have the
    funding, we can get that word out and really minimize the
    damage that a hurricane can do in terms of the economic impact
    to the state.
        Dr. Roffer. I think education is part of the issue here,
    too. We have to educate the public with what the real threats
    are versus the non-real threats and how to prepare for a storm
    and how to build properly. I lived in Miami through Andrew,
    and, fortunately, I survived without too much damage to the
    house. But the building codes changed as a result of Andrew,
    and it was just a really--truly was a minimum increase, and
    there should be more increases in the building code as these
    storms, in theory, are supposed to be getting stronger each
    time due to the warming of the ocean. So educating the
    builders, educating the public, and then getting the word out
    to everyone what the real threats are and how to prepare for
    them properly.
        Ms. Sollie. The way I heard your question and how it
    affects businesses and how we can make it easier for them to
    mitigate and deal with it as it's naturally occurring for us
    day in and day out, or it's an immediate occurrence, right,
    with a hurricane. I think, nationally, we need to make
    accessibility to the small businesses more achievable.
        In a lot of instances, whether it's renewable energy, using
    solar panels, protecting their building against sea level rise
    or floods or whatever it is, the entry, the cost for a small
    business owner, which is the lifeblood of our nation, right, is
    too extreme for them to invest in that, to mitigate something
    that they can't see immediately, but they know it'll help them
    later when this happens. But they've got to pay their electric
    bill, right? They've got to pay their lease.
        So I think that there needs to be some, again, planning,
    some foresight to develop programs that could help us fund
    small and medium sized businesses to help mitigate whatever
    that circumstance is in the whole breadth of these threats.
        Dr. Larkin. So thinking proactively makes me think back to
    my first point, which was investing in natural and built
    infrastructure, so certainly things like oyster reefs, offshore
    oyster reefs, and planting sea grasses that can protect coastal
    shores. But when we think about things, I guess, to follow up
    on Robin's point, we think about projects and private companies
    investing and perhaps spending more to develop in a way that
    protects from sea level rise. A portion of that spending is for
    a public good, not just a private good. So, certainly, they
    benefit, absolutely, but there is a public good component that
    all of us benefit from, that does justify public investment in
    that resource through a variety of programs.
        Senator Nelson. Let me see if I can nail down a couple of
    more points for the record. What I've found is that the sea
    level rise that is occurring--and this is not forecast. This is
    not projections. This is measurements that, over the course of
    the last 40 years, have shown that the seas in southeast
    Florida have risen five to eight inches. In fact, the people of
    southeast Florida are getting sensitized to this, because
    they're seeing it on the 6 o'clock news. They're seeing the
    water sloshing over the curbs in Miami Beach, same thing in the
    Las Olas section of Fort Lauderdale. But what I've found in
    other parts of Florida--it's out of sight, out of mind.
        What do you think is going to change in order for this to
    sink in? What, in fact, has happened? Anybody?
        Ms. Ferenc?
        Ms. Ferenc. I would say from that question and from many of
    the comments that you have made today that an education process
    and a campaign, perhaps within our own industry, of
    understanding more critically how our environment is tied to
    the health of our businesses and allowing us an opportunity to
    take more responsibility in the paths that we carve out for
    ourselves and how we're going to conduct ourselves in the
    future and what's going to be important to us might be a
    worthwhile effort.
        Senator Nelson. Yes, ma'am. Dr. Larkin?
        Dr. Larkin. So one of my points was improve terrestrial and
    freshwater environmental systems. One of the things that
    happens in conjunction with sea level rise are changing weather
    patterns. So I think when we do research that tries to
    integrate sort of the biophysical with the economic and all the
    other components is helping people--going back to the education
    point--realize how integrated it is, and it may be investments
    in things to address those changing weather patterns that might
    go a step further.
        Senator Nelson. Dr. Roffer, you certainly indicated this in
    a number of your slides as you were talking about fish and all
    the other things. The effects of climate change are real. Are
    the commercial and recreational fishermen and the charter boat
    captains--are they beginning to see any differences out there
    on the sea?
        Dr. Roffer. Quite a bit. You know, when--for example, the
    south Florida sailfish fishing has been very poor--southeast
    Florida sailfish fishing for the last couple of years has been
    very poor, because we've had warm winters, and the sailfish
    haven't migrated from the Carolinas down into Florida all the
    way to the Keys. So, for example, Charleston had one of the
    best sailfish fisheries they've ever had because the sailfish
    were up there. So fishermen are clearly seeing the change in
    migration of the fish, and sailfish is one of them.
        Cobia is another one that's not--that doesn't stay in the
    state as long as it had once before. It migrates with the warm
    water. As the seasons warm up, they're migrating further north
    and out of our area. So a lot of money goes into cobia fishing
    and sailfish fishing. People have noticed changes in the
    upwelling pattern of the Gulf Stream off of the east coast of
    Florida. We're not sure if it's real or not. The fishermen are
    telling us about it. So a change in upwelling will affect the
    availability and the catchability of these fish.
        So to answer your question, yes, fishermen are starting to
    see it, and those that are seeing it are starting to understand
    it and realizing this is real.
        Senator Nelson. Are they speaking out?
        Dr. Roffer. No, they're not speaking out. A lot of the
    problem becomes--with commercial fishermen and fishermen and,
    particularly, charter boat captains--in saying that their catch
    is decreasing is admitting to their potential clients that
    they're not catching fish anymore. So you're not going to get
    people in the Keys saying, ``Well, don't come down to the Keys
    anymore because the sailfish are in Charleston.'' So they're
    not saying it.
        They can't advertise--the fishermen saying that it's
    hurting us. Privately, they'll tell you. But, publicly, it's
    very hard to get their testimony because they're basically
    giving negative advertising for their business. The researchers
    can, in fact, tell this. The recreational fishermen can report
    it, and people like myself.
        Senator Nelson. And that's part of the problem. We're not
    willing to have an open discussion about this issue of what's
    happening to the Earth. For example, I was shocked, visiting
    some of the agencies under the jurisdiction of the Commerce
    Committee, highly technical agencies, NIST, NOAA, NASA, et
    cetera, and what I had found with regard to one of those
    agencies right at the turn of the new administration was that
    the word has gone out that they were not to use the two words,
    ``climate change.''
        It has been reported here in the state of Florida that a
    similar edict--had gone out to all state employees--don't use
    ``climate change.'' Now, if you can't even have a discussion
    about it, or alternatively, we see scientists--and I have seen
    this in Washington as well--attempt to be muzzled as to the
    free expression of what their scientific conclusions are on
    whatever the issue is, then I think we'd better get concerned
    and we'd better get vocal about this.
        Dr. Roffer. I agree. I'm constantly on social media, and
    I'm involved in a newsletter that goes out to quite a few
    people in the country, talking about such issues.
    Unfortunately, with the climate in D.C., the political climate,
    the words, ``climate change,'' has to be basically taken out of
    proposals. You have to use the words, environmental variability
    or environmental change. It means the same thing, but it's not
    that blow-up word when someone searching says, ``Oh, throw that
    out.''
        I have to give NASA a lot of credit. NASA has stayed within
    the climate change realm. I know I've been funded under a
    climate change with NASA, looking at bluefin tuna and highly
    migratory species, and they feel they're doing what's right for
    the country, and until they're forced to change, one way or the
    other, they're going to continue using the words, climate
    change. But, unfortunately, other agencies are forced not to
    use it, which I think is un-American.
        Senator Nelson. Let me ask--yes, ma'am. Ms. Sollie?
        Ms. Sollie. As leaders, we're involved in the conversation
    in-depth, and so we hear sea level rise or climate change. We
    know where our thoughts are going, and we want to plan for our
    future or protect our businesses or the constituents we serve.
    I think we need to come up with a methodology and education,
    even as an industry, to speak in more layman terms so that the
    general public understands what we're saying, and not in a
    threatening way, just to get it in their mindset.
        We're humans. We live on instant gratification, right? And
    so, again, this is something that's gradually affecting our
    lives. But until they can see an experience, understand it, I
    don't think we, behind these doors today, can get the momentum
    that we really need to be powerful.
        And I do want to add for the record that we're fortunate in
    Pinellas County. We are ahead of the curve. In 2006, Tampa Bay
    Regional Planning Council did a study on sea level rise, and I
    have it here with me. It depicts the acreage within the county
    that's actually protectable. So out of 109,000 acres, 78,770
    are in a protection--almost certain protective zone. So maybe
    we can plan as municipalities or counties to take steps so that
    we can demonstrate this to other regions on how we can start to
    address the issue.
        Senator Nelson. Yes, ma'am?
        Dr. Larkin. One of the mechanisms available to university
    researchers is to work with Florida Sea Grant College Program.
    It's a program that's housed at UF, but it represents all
    universities here in Florida. Through that program, there are
    local agents that help communicate the science to the public.
        I think what's really effective about that is that they all
    have advisory boards on different issues, so the members of
    those advisory boards are folks that--probably some of these
    folks in the room here today that really have a direct contact
    to folks on the shore, and we see them as an extremely valuable
    resource. I know that their funding was, you know, one of those
    ones that was highlighted to be cut, and I think some of it was
    allowed to be saved, which let us do a big sigh of relief. But
    they've been so effective. It's kind of like the example that
    you have been talking about. It's hard to imagine it was on the
    chopping block just because of how successful it has been, and
    it is a real valuable tool.
        Senator Nelson. That Sea Grant Program is within NOAA, and
    that is within the jurisdiction of the Commerce Committee, and
    one of those successes that you're talking about is what
    happened at Cedar Key. The fishermen have successfully
    transitioned to a clam aquaculture. Now, it has a $39 million
    value to the state of Florida.
        So, Dr. Larkin, further expand. How would cutting that
    investment, which is the proposal in the President's proposed
    budget, affect these natural resources impact jobs?
        Dr. Larkin. Right. I mean, you talked about the Cedar Key
    example, and that's just a really good one, because that is an
    example of where a fishery had used a particular gear--net
    gear--to harvest mullet, and because of a political vote by the
    public was immediately shut down. So it was devastating to a
    little community that probably most people had never heard of.
        But the training that ensued, the ideas for how we are
    going to address this issue with this community, started with
    public investment, and those Sea Grants agents were ground
    zero. They were in a very difficult position, I mean,
    retraining a whole community of folks that have spent their
    lives, generation after generation, fishing one way for one
    thing.
        So now you fast forward, and not only--you mentioned the
    commercial value of what's harvested. That industry, that type
    of investment, is almost like investing in a museum. It is an
    attraction. People now come because those businesses operate
    like little public aquariums. People can walk in, and they'll
    show them the process. They come and they now visit, and other
    private investment has ensued. There's a little artist colony
    there now. So it has seeded private investment and allowed that
    community to flourish, and there are other examples like that
    as well.
        Senator Nelson. As the Earth heats up--and I'm assuming
    that most everybody here understands the scientific reasons
    behind this, although there are people that deny that this is,
    in fact, happening. It's simply as the sun's rays come in and
    hit the Earth, part of the heat is absorbed, but a lot of that
    heat is reflected off the surface of the Earth and radiates
    back out into space. When you put certain gases, like carbon
    dioxide or methane into the air, and it goes into the upper
    atmosphere, it creates what is known as the greenhouse effect,
    like a greenhouse glass ceiling, and it traps the heat.
        Of course, as the Earth heats up, look what covers two-
    thirds of the Earth--oceans, and the oceans absorb 90 percent
    of the heat. And when water is heated, what happens to it? It
    expands, and, thus, we are seeing the phenomenon that has been
    chronicled here by our panelists.
        One of you mentioned, I think, wells. Lo and behold, that's
    happened right here in a south Florida city. It's well field
    had to be moved further west because of the sea level rise and,
    therefore, the salt water intrusion into the well field. So
    it's happening, and it's going to cause great infrastructure
    investment.
        I want to ask the two mayors. Are city mayors starting to
    think about the investments that you're going to have to make
    because of the changes in the climate?
        Mr. Cretekos. Senator, the City of Clearwater was the first
    in the state and in the Southeast to have a natural gas
    refueling station, and we've started doing our vehicles--
    natural gas vehicles. We've partnered with Duke Energy to be
    the first city in Pinellas County to finish LED lights on all
    of our street lights, and we have a green print program that we
    adopted about 5 years ago to put us on the path of
    sustainability.
        Senator Nelson. Mr. Mayor?
        Mr. Kriseman. Yes, we're--and I thank the council members
    that are here who have been also pushing these issues. We're
    embarking on an integrated sustainability action plan for the
    City of St. Petersburg. We're looking at doing a long-term plan
    that really takes into account both the impacts of climate
    change and sea level rise, in particular, on our city, because
    we've seen the maps and we know the risk that our city is at,
    and we know that we are going to have to make significant
    changes to how we conduct our government, but how we conduct
    our city.
        Our zoning changes are going to have to be implemented. How
    we build out is going to have to change. So we are looking at
    doing all those things in addition to a commitment to become
    100 percent renewables in the city.
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. Commissioner, is this discussion in front
    of the county?
        Ms. Long. Yes, Senator, and I thank you very much for that
    question, because I want to share with everyone a real living
    example of how elections matter. This County Commission now
    uses the words, climate change, sea level rise, and
    sustainability, and when I first came on the County Commission
    5 years ago, I was stunned to learn that our county staff were
    not allowed to use those words in discussions with the
    commissioner.
        On top of that, we are planning--our county is--a
    sustainability and sea level rise, climate change conference in
    partnership with the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council a few
    months from now. So I hope you'll stay tuned to that.
        On top of that, I am so proud that all of our facilities
    within county government have moved to things like LED
    lighting. We invested a lot of money into a cooling system in
    downtown Clearwater and worked with partnerships all over the
    City of Clearwater--the mayor is aware of this--and have saved
    over a million dollars a year in energy by using this cooling
    system.
        So the long answer to your question is yes. It is high on
    our list. We have many bridges in our county that need to be
    replaced, and one of the big deep dive discussions is how high
    do we have to build the new bridges in order to ensure that in
    the future our citizens will not be at risk again.
        One more thing, if I may be so bold, is to say elections
    matter. The issues we're talking about today are handled best
    by good, sound, public policy, and when we put people in office
    that don't believe in science, well, that's a problem, and we
    only have one Earth. Our oceans and our natural resources, our
    most important treasures--shame on us. What will our
    grandchildren say when they look back and go, ``What were you
    thinking?''
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. Dr. Sanberg, you're the head of research.
    USF has been particularly positioned as one of the leaders of
    the Florida Institute of Oceanography led by the Dean that I
    think you introduced as the Dean--stand up, Dean.
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. Thank you.
        The Florida Institute of Oceanography ends up being the
    recipient of some of the funds that we carved out in the
    RESTORE Act, specifically for researching the health of the
    Gulf in the future. Now, there's a lot of oil out there, and a
    lot of it is still lurking around the bottom of the Gulf.
        Do you want to comment on any of your future plans in the
    Gulf research?
        Dr. Sanberg. Sure. Of course, you have the experts right
    over there, so a comment, in general. I think that there are a
    few things. One is that the Florida Institute of Oceanography
    is a statewide institute, and it's housed here at USF and in
    St. Pete, a great place to be housed. But it's a collaboration
    between most marine groups around the state, and so when money
    comes in, it gets diffused, based on research projects around
    the state to look at all sorts of activities on all the coasts.
        The other thing that's a real advantage is that we had a
    new ship that was recently built, the Hogarth, and it is a
    superb world class ship to continue to do research out in the
    Gulf, especially to look at these problems and issues related
    to the oil that's out there, the current health of the Gulf,
    the fisheries, just a number of things.
        And the other thing is that students--one thing is we are a
    research university, but we have great students, and we have
    students that want to be out and work with these great
    professors that we have in marine sciences and all the other
    areas. So these activities are extremely educational. They're
    also STEM-related activities, which really helps a great deal
    in the education of future Floridians and to move into this
    field.
        The other thing I was just going to say, when I'm listening
    to all the witnesses here, speakers, is there are a number of
    things that you've brought up, and education, I think, is a key
    one, especially in tourism. We offer a master's in global
    sustainability with a concentration in tourism at USF. It's a
    very important program for us. And I guess the question, if I
    was going to ask one, is are there other educational programs
    for the Floridians of tomorrow that they could really train in
    and they could be helpful to all the industries that are being
    affected?
        Senator Nelson. Anybody want to comment on that? Is Dean
    Hogarth here? I would certainly want to recognize him, because
    he certainly worked with us on the oil spill. Let me ask you
    another question. One of you mentioned invasive species. So we
    know the problem with lionfish, the Burmese python. You could
    say the Burmese python is related to weather, because the only
    thing that we found, how you can get at this population, is a
    cold snap that is sustained over time. Otherwise, it's very
    difficult to find them, and the Park Service is thinking there
    might be 150,000 of them in the Everglades.
        Zika--infectious diseases, another byproduct. It's
    primarily in warm areas. Did any one of you who mentioned that
    want to expand on this?
        Yes, ma'am. Dr. Larkin?
        Dr. Larkin. If you'll allow me a moment, I do want to
    mention one thing. We talked about built environment solutions
    for dealing with global warming. There is a role for natural
    systems, too. So we all know that trees sequester carbon, and
    we have researchers that are working on creating new forages
    for cattle that will help reduce methane. So there's a variety
    of solutions.
        With respect to--and tourism. We have a Department of
    Tourism that also offers programs that, hopefully, will help in
    that scientific regard. The invasive species one is a good one.
    We have little beetles that are attacking our trees and our
    avocados.
        The pythons--so, actually, we have some researchers who
    just compared the effect of the cold snap between the American
    crocodile and the python, and, actually, what it found was
    while it knocked both populations down, it only had a long-term
    effect on the potential northern migration of the crocodile,
    not the python. So we are still concerned about it moving
    north.
        Senator Nelson. You know, we used to think that the
    python--by the way, have you seen the pictures? You know, they
    caught one that was 18 and a half feet long. You pick up one of
    these things, and it's 200 pounds, and it's solid muscle. We
    thought maybe they wouldn't go any further north than the humid
    marshy environment of the Everglades, but if there is
    increasing warming temperatures, you're right, Dr. Larkin. That
    snake is going to move north.
        Dr. Larkin. Right, and, you know, we know they're
    responsible for a loss of 95 percent of the rabbits and other
    small mammals in the Everglades.
        Ms. Sollie. And it wouldn't be good for the tourism
    industry either if they travel north.
        Senator Nelson. No.
        Dr. Larkin. Right. So, I mean, there's--you know, then you
    start affecting food web that's involved, and then you start
    affecting other of our iconic species.
        Senator Nelson. All right. Either one of our members of
    Congress have any further questions?
        [No verbal response.]
        Senator Nelson. Charlie?
        Mr. Crist. I'm good. Thank you.
        Ms. Ferenc. Senator, may I make another comment about a
    solution?
        Senator Nelson. Please.
        Ms. Ferenc. We talked about threats, and then there has
    been some talk of solutions, and there's been some success
    stories, and many of them seem to revolve around this notion of
    public-private partnership. I have had the honor to sit on the
    Travel and Tourism Advisory Board, and I know that there is
    also the Transportation Advisory Board. This is all at the
    Federal level. I believe Joe Lopano is in the audience from the
    Tampa Bay International Airport. I believe he sits on that
    advisory board at this time. And, of course, Brand USA is a
    public-private partnership.
        I've seen such amazing work done when the public sector and
    the private sector come together in that intense and sustained
    fashion, and that some of the problems that we're talking about
    today, you know, we saw these issues come before the Travel and
    Tourism Advisory Board, and the progress that we hope not to
    give up on now that was made during that time, during long,
    arduous battles between the private and the public sector, and
    coming to good solutions for both sides, for security and for
    increased travel, and many other issues that were brought up in
    that way. Transportation is one that was brought up in the last
    round and, of course, I'm sure is being discussed now in that
    particular partnership.
        But I think that these might be other issues that might be
    brought before the Travel and Tourism Advisory Board itself. Is
    climate change something that can be worked on there? Just the
    value of the public-private partnerships at the Federal level
    and at the State level, I think, is just truly amazing, and I
    offer that as a part of the solutions, to not forget how
    valuable they are.
        Dr. Roffer. As a closing comment, I would like to remind
    everyone on the panel and out in the audience that the true
    economic engine in Florida is a healthy ecosystem, which comes
    from clean air and clean water. That's the building block right
    there, and the solution to pollution is absolutely not
    dilution.
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. Dr. Roffer, you had spoken--picking up on
    that theme there about stopping the pollution with regard to
    the Everglades--about fixing the plumbing and restoring the
    ecosystems. We have been working for a long time on Everglades
    restoration to stop or reverse what man had done over three-
    quarters of a century, which was to completely reverse the
    natural plumbing of the Everglades, which sent the water
    southwest of Orlando as it moved slowly through the Kissimmee
    chain of the lakes, as it went into a marshy Lake Okeechobee
    after having come down a winding, meandering stream called the
    Kissimmee River, and then slowly went through the marshes south
    into the River of Grass, the Everglades.
        All of that was changed in three-quarters of a century. The
    Kissimmee River became a straight ditch, et cetera. You know
    the situation. Turning on the plumbing and reversing that
    requires sustained commitment from the Federal and the state
    government. Now, unbelievably, last month, the South Florida
    Water Management District threatened to pull out of the
    independent scientific assessment of restoration progress
    that's done every 2 years pursuant to Federal law.
        I think some counties are addressing the problem head-on,
    but it stops and starts with the effort to restore the
    Everglades, and it's going to affect Floridians mightily. What
    have you seen, Dr. Roffer, over the years on the ground--you're
    out there with the fishermen--the need for restoration of the
    Everglades?
        Dr. Roffer. I see fish dying, an increased number of fish
    kills, and I see water quality degrading very quickly, and our
    fishing industry is hurting, even though the charter boat
    captains won't admit that their catches are going down. I've
    talked to many people, and finally you get Hell's Bay Boats
    admitting publicly that they lost one-point-something million
    dollars because they couldn't sell boats in the central part of
    Florida.
        People are getting very frustrated. They believe that the
    fox is guarding the hen house, that some people in the sugar
    industry and agriculture are affecting these people in
    management and making them change their minds and opinions. And
    pulling out of a science-based committee to make the water flow
    is corruption, if you ask me. It may not be an actual dollar
    corruption, but certainly it's a mental corruption, and there
    might be money involved, but I'm not pointing fingers at this
    point.
        But, clearly, we need to get that flow to go back down as
    fast as we possibly can. Every day you read about somebody--
    ``Well, there's a reason we can't''--you can do it if you want
    to put your effort into it and going there.
        So people are starting to get--the public is starting to
    get more educated on the issue and starting to raise their
    signs and their posters. You see it. People who get elected and
    changes--if you get people--representatives--and not the ones
    here--I know in central Florida--that wouldn't care anything
    about environmental and water quality who all of a sudden
    started putting environment and water quality on their web
    pages and started to come to meetings.
        So if the grass roots people are out there, I honestly
    believe that the people, the grass root vote, will out-do the
    political money coming from those spots. The public has to
    raise their pitchforks, so to speak.
        [Applause.]
        Senator Nelson. We have had tremendous interest, and there
    were a number of people who requested to testify here at this
    hearing, and, obviously, we had to keep it within certain
    limits, thus, the four witnesses that we have. But I want to
    invite you for your testimony, if you will submit it, it will
    become a part of the written record. And I declare that the
    record will remain open for two weeks for additional members of
    the Senate Commerce Committee to submit additional memorandums
    and/or questions.
        So thank you all for coming today. This has been terrific.
    With that, the meeting is adjourned.
        Thank you.
        [Whereupon, at 2:56 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]

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