5 things to know about algae, Lake Okeechobee discharges, Rick Scott's state of emergency
1. State of emergency
Gov. Rick Scott issued an emergency order for Martin, St. Lucie, Palm Beach, Okeechobee, Lee, Glades and Hendry counties because of toxic blue-green algae throughout the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers. It was done to help state agencies be more flexible and effective in the effort to manage harmful algal blooms in Florida's rivers, lakes and coastal estuaries, Scott said.
More:Gov. Rick Scott issues state of emergency for Martin, St. Lucie counties over toxic algae
2. Discharges 'likely' to resume ...
Army Corps says discharges “likely” will resume sometime later this week, after a reprieve since June 30.
"We will likely have to resume releases later in the week to reduce the flood risk that a rising lake presents to people living and working around it," the Army Corps of Engineers said in a late Sunday news release that also announced the reprieve.
The lake was 14.46 feet above sea level Tuesday, according to the agency's website. The district wants to keep the lake between 12 feet, 6 inches and 15 feet, 6 inches during the summer rainy season to avoid a breach in the Herbert Hoover Dike.
More:Lake Okeechobee discharges to St. Lucie River likely to restart this week
3. ... which could send more potentially toxic blue-green algae our way
The discharges are sure to deluge the St. Lucie River with even more potentially toxic blue-green algae, which has been pouring out of Lake Okeechobee and backing up at Port Mayaca since the Port Mayaca gates were closed June 30.
More:Stuart business closes because of third algae outbreak in five years
4. Will state of emergency help?
One environmentalist says the governor's order is just a political move. Scott is running against Bill Nelson for the Democrat's Senate seat.
"Every bit of this — every single bit of this — falls into (Scott's) lap," Indian Riverkeeper Marty Baum told outdoors columnist Ed Killer on Monday. "He’s the one that defunded the DEP, told them not to prosecute, got rid of the lawyers and got rid of the people who knew what was going on. He gutted all of the water management districts, the pipeline commission, the environmental regulation commission, and now he is down here trying to 'green' himself."
More:Gov. Rick Scott issues state of emergency for Martin and Lee counties over toxic algae
However, Scott said via release the blame for the failed system lies with the federal government.
“As governor, it is my duty to protect Floridians, no matter what it takes," the release states. "Today, our state is once again facing a crisis from water releases controlled by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This has prompted me to issue an emergency declaration, so our state agencies can do everything in their power to minimize the harmful impacts these releases are having on our communities."
More:90 percent of Lake Okeechobee smothered in blue-green algae bloom
5. Legislators make a plea
U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, then Sen. Bill Nelson, then Sen. Marco Rubio — among other federal, state and county lawmakers — implored the Army Corps to not resume discharges as planned July 9.
Rubio followed up with a July 8 letter to President Donald Trump. That day, the Army Corps announced it would postpone the restart by a few days.
More:Lake Okeechobee discharges, toxic algae blooms bring Sen. Bill Nelson to Florida
More:Complete coverage of the algae crisis, health of Indian River Lagoon
Maureen Kenyon is TCPalm's trends reporter, keeping Treasure Coast residents updated on hot topics and happenings. Do you have a story to tell? Want to start a conversation? Send an email to maureen.kenyon@tcpalm.com, call 772-221-4249 or follow her on Twitter @_MaureenKenyon_.