Lawsuit Alleges that Florida Department of Environmental Protection Has Violated the ESA by Allowing Sewage to Deplete Manatee Food Sources

Bear Warriors United, a Florida-based nonprofit, sued the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, alleging that the agency violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Plaintiff claims that the agency’s failure to curb sewage disposal from septic tanks and wastewater treatment plants into the Indian River Lagoon has killed off vital seagrass and cost local manatees their food source and lives. Plaintiff is seeking declaratory judgement and injunctive relief.