STUART, Fla. (AP) - The Latest on an algae bloom that prompted Florida's governor to declare a state of emergency (all times local):
6:40 p.m.
Florida's governor has added two more counties to the state of emergency declared over an algae bloom on the Atlantic coast.
Gov. Rick Scott signed the amended executive order Thursday, adding Lee and Palm Beach counties to Wednesday's emergency declaration for Martin and St. Lucie counties. Palm Beach County is directly south of the existing emergency area, while Lee County is on Florida's Gulf coast.
Multiple Florida lawmakers have asked federal authorities that oversee Lake Okeechobee to immediately stop freshwater releases that coastal communities blame for algae blooms and other environmental damage.
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4 p.m.
As a noxious algae bloom fouls beaches on Florida's Atlantic coast, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says it will reduce the flow of water from Lake Okeechobee that many blame for fueling the problem.
The Corps said in a news release Thursday that its Jacksonville District will begin the reductions Friday, targeting the Caloosahatchee Estuary and the St. Lucie Estuary.
The action comes after Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency over the problem, and as politicians and residents are blaming the federal government.
Multiple Florida lawmakers have asked federal authorities that oversee Lake Okeechobee to immediately stop freshwater releases that coastal communities blame for algae blooms and other environmental damage.
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11:50 a.m.
Lawmakers say a southwest Florida county should be added to the state of emergency declared over an algae bloom on the Atlantic coast.
Gov. Rick Scott directed state and local authorities to fast-track water storage projects to help reduce the algae's spread in waterways in Martin and St. Lucie counties.
Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto of Fort Myers and Reps. Matt Caldwell of North Fort Myers and Ray Rodrigues of Estero issued a joint statement Thursday asking Scott to include Lee County as well.
The three Republicans say Scott's declaration draws attention to water quality issues also affecting the Caloosahatchee River.
The lawmakers also have asked federal authorities that oversee Lake Okeechobee to immediately stop freshwater releases that coastal communities blame for algae blooms and other environmental damage.
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7:40 a.m.
Officials want federal action along a stretch of Florida's Atlantic coast where the governor has declared a state of emergency over algae blooms.
In a statement Wednesday, the Martin County Commission said it's inviting the president to view deteriorating water conditions that local officials blame on freshwater being released from Lake Okeechobee.
Gov. Rick Scott has directed state and local authorities to fast-track water storage projects that would help reduce the algae's spread along the St. Lucie River and other waterways in Martin and St. Lucie counties.
He has criticized the Obama Administration and the U.S. Army Corps for pumping water east and west of the lake. That relieves pressure on the lake's aging dike, but local officials say it's ruining coastal estuaries.
Both of Florida's senators plan to visit the area this week.
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