Sen. Bill Nelson called on President Obama to approve the state’s request to declare a federal state of emergency over the algae blooms that are continue to plague South Florida’s waterways.

Gov. Rick Scott issued the request Wednesday.

  • Sen. Nelson asks President Obama to declare a federal state of emergency
  • Algae blooms affecting waterways, coastlines in four counties
  • Kissimmee River holding more water to relieve pressure on Lake Okeechobee

In a letter to the president, Nelson said all federal resources need to be available to deal with the cause and consequences of the blue-green algae blooms.

“Although this may involve assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), we also need to ensure that other related federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and others are working to resolve this crisis through a unified approach,” Nelson wrote.

In the letter Nelson also mentioned his attempts to push the Central Everglades Planning Project through Congress to restore the natural flow of water from Lake Okeechobee, the source of the algae blooms along the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.

Nelson also used the letter to reiterate that the Florida government needs to acquire additional land south of Lake Okeechobee, something Gov. Rick Scott has been reticent to do.

Heat and nutrients in the lake have spawned the blue-green algae, which have spread as water is pumped out of the lake to the east and west. Those algae blooms have shown up in the estuaries and along the Treasure Coast.

Four counties are currently under a Florida state of emergency.

How Central Florida factors into the Lake Okeechobee crisis

Boaters in Central Florida are watching the situation in South Florida carefully. The Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, which stretch from south Orange County through Osceola County are the headwaters for Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades.

To deal with the algae situation down south, the water flow from the Kissimmee River into Lake Okeechobee has been reduced.

County officials say there is no concern at this time and that residents shouldn't notice anything different with the water. However, things might be different if we get hit with a hurricane.

"You can't hold back flood waters,” said Marc Meyers, who runs Central Florida Marine. “So you’ve got to protect people's lives foremost. And then you’ve got to find a way to recreate what nature did with the natural flow of the water. Nature is going to win. There's no question about it. She doesn't sleep. You can't predict it and it's just a matter of time."

He's also worried it could cause his business to take a hit. "Maybe they buy an ATV rather than buying a boat from Central Florida Marine," Meyers added.

We asked the South Florida Water Management District about the possibility of flooding due to the reduced water flow. They say it's not a concern now and they are keeping a close eye on water levels.


This graphic shows the water system that flows into the Everglades, from the Kissimmee and Fisheating Creek Drainage Basin down into the Everglades itself. (Army Corps of Engineers)