Manatee deaths lawsuit will proceed; cites violations of Endangered Species Act
ORLANDO, Fla. - A lawsuit alleging state officials violated the Endangered Species Act, contributing to the deaths of manatees, will move forward.
The suit, filed by an environmental group in 2022, claims that sewage discharges into the Indian River led to the destruction of sea grass, a vital food source for manatees.
MORE MANATEE STORIES:
- Expanded 'critical' habitat eyed for manatees in Florida
- Blue Spring State Park sets new manatee count record amid Florida cold snap
- Artificial intelligence used to count manatee clusters in real time: FAU researchers
The federal judge overseeing the case denied a request to dismiss the lawsuit. The environmental group argues that the state failed to adequately regulate sewage treatment plans and septic systems, which they say contributed to the sea grass die-off and subsequent manatee deaths.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO:
- Download the FOX 35 News app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines
- Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar
- Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines
- FOX Local: Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV