Scott requests Obama to declare federal emergency following algae blooms

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Rick Scott requested Wednesday for President Barack Obama to declare a federal emergency following algae blooms in local waterways surrounding the Indian River Lagoon and anticipated algae blooms surrounding the Caloosahatchee River. 

“It is the federal government’s sole responsibility to maintain the federally operated Herbert Hoover Dike, and for more than a decade, the federal government has ignored proper maintenance and repair to this structure. As a result, billions of gallons of water have been discharged into the Indian River Lagoon and Caloosahatchee River which is causing toxic algae blooms to cause havoc to our environment," Scott said. "I am asking President Obama to immediately declare a federal emergency and use the full resources of the federal government to address the effects caused by the frequent discharges of water from Lake Okeechobee.”