A Senate committee killed a bill that would have prevented day-cruise gambling ships from dumping sewage in the waters off Florida's coasts. Environmentalists, surfers, anglers and divers say it fouls the state's beaches and elevates nutrient levels, which leads to unhealthy algae growth on reefs.

A bill sponsored by Sen. Mike Haridopolos, R-Indialantic, and Rep. Bob Allen, R-Merritt Island, would have asked state regulators to seek cooperation from federal agencies that govern U.S. waters between three and 12 miles offshore. This cooperation would have required and insured that ships haul waste back to shore for treatment. Florida has jurisdiction on waters from the coast three miles out in the Atlantic.

“We’ll try again next year,” said Rick Hayes, the chair of the Sebastian Inlet Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation. "This is a sad day when this is called the Environmental Preservation Committee and they vote against it," Senator Haridopolos said.

FS