Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday asked members of the state's congressional delegation to push for federal help to deal with massive algae problems in waterways to the east and west of Lake Okeechobee.
Scott, in a letter to the delegation, reiterated his earlier request for President Barack Obama to declare a federal emergency to help address health and safety threats and also called for federal action to shore up the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee.
Polluted water released from the lake into nearby waterways has led to the algae problems.
Also Tuesday, Republican Vern Buchanan, co-chairman of the congressional delegation, sent a letter to Obama seeking an emergency declaration.
"The toxic algae blooms wreaking havoc across Florida have become a nightmare for millions of families across the state, local businesses and our iconic wildlife," Buchanan wrote.
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