1、Most patches are less than one square meter in size.1Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web98-975 ENRDecember 9, 1998An Endangered Species Act Issue for SoutheasternFlorida: Johnsons SeagrassEugene H. BuckSenior Analyst in Natural Re
2、sources PolicyEnvironment and Natural Resources Policy DivisionSummaryJohnsons seagrass, a small marine plant growing in shallow estuaries and coastallagoons only along the southeastern Florida coast, has been listed by the National MarineFisheries Service (NMFS) as a threatened species under the En
3、dangered Species Act(ESA), the first marine plant so listed. The continued existence of this species appearsto be most affected by water clarity and sediment disturbance (e.g., stormwater runoff,boating and personal watercraft activities, and siltation) as well as by hurricanes andstorm surges. In a
4、ddition, limited seed production by this species makes its recoveryuncertain. State and local government officials, marine industries, and the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers as well as private citizens are concerned that protection under theESA could preclude, or increase expenses for, routine dredging