Conservation groups to sue EPA over manatee deaths

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Three conservation groups have filed formal notice of their intent to sue the Environmental Protection Agency if it doesn’t take steps to protect manatees from water pollution in Florida. Pollution-fueled algae blooms are cited as the cause of half of 1,000 manatee deaths in Florida this year. Monday’s news release from the Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife and Save the Manatee Club claims algae blooms killed seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon and that it happened because of inadequate water quality standards. Monday’s notice gives the agencies 60 days to address violations alleged in the letter before the groups file a lawsuit.