Scott declares emergency in Martin, St. Lucie over algae

TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Rick Scott on Wednesday  declaried a state of emergency in Martin and St. Lucie counties in response to  algal blooms in local waterways, according to a news release from the state capital.

Scott's executive order paves the way for local and state authorities to move to mitigate the spread of algae in the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries by redirecting the flow of water in and out of Lake Okeechobee.

What we know about the Indian River Lagoon fish kill

In a prepared statement, Scott said, "Today, I am declaring a state of emergency in Martin and St. Lucie Counties to expedite water storage projects to alleviate the proliferation of algal blooms. The order also allows the South Florida Water Management District to reduce the flow of water into Lake Okeechobee through additional water storage projects. In addition to our Executive Order, I am calling on the federal government to speedily approve permits for our dispersed water management programs. I am also asking DEP and FWC to take actions to address the issues caused by algal blooms in South Florida waterways, including developing a hotline for residents to report algal blooms and deploying teams of additional staff to more rapidly survey and sample areas impacted by blooms.

"Florida's waterways, wildlife and families have been severely impacted by the inaction and negligence of the federal government not making the needed repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike and Florida can no longer afford to wait. Because the Obama Administration has failed to act on this issue, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers continues to discharge millions of gallons of water into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries resulting in the growth of blue-green algae which is now entering residential waterways in South Florida. Although the President has failed to do what is needed to address this growing issue, the State of Florida will devote every available resource to find solutions for the families and businesses in this area."

Earlier this year, following a massive Indian River Lagoon fishkill, the Brevard County Commission decided against seeking such a declaration. Commissioners instead unanimously approved a proposal to take various steps to help the condition of the lagoon. These included:

• Seeking more state money — potentially $200 million — for muck removal from the lagoon.

• Streamlining the permitting process for dredging and other environmental projects related to the lagoon.

• Asking the state to require septic tank inspections when a home is being sold.

• Changing rules on the use of the county's Tourist Development Tax on hotel rooms and other short-term rentals so Brevard County could increase the tax from the current 5 percent to 6 percent. The idea would be that the money raised by the tax increase could be used for lagoon projects.

ounty commissioners heard from 32 residents before their votes — only one of whom opposed the proposal for the governor to declare a state of emergency.