As toxic algae spreads, Stuart urges DeSantis to declare state of emergency

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STUART — City commissioners are urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency to address spreading algal blooms across Lake Okeechobee.

The order would waive some regulations on storing water south of Lake Okeechobee and improve collaboration between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District and other agencies to do so. 

"Without urgent attention to the current condition in and around Lake Okeechobee, we fear potential impacts to our community this year will be beyond our scope to fully remedy," Mayor Eula Clarke wrote in a letter to DeSantis Tuesday. "Stuart stands at the precipice of another economic and environmental disaster wrought by destructive freshwater discharges and the scourge of harmful algal blooms."

Scroll down to read Mayor Eula Clarke's letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis

The city joined a coalition of 14 environmental organizations — including the Florida Oceanographic Society, the Indian Riverkeeper and Friends of the Everglades — in requesting an emergency order to circumvent the mounting crisis.

The coalition also urged an order that would provide relief for homeowners and businesses affected by blooms and notify the public of ongoing public health risks, according to a letter dated May 8. 

Former Gov. Rick Scott issued a similar order as toxic algae plagued the area in 2018. 

Algae lashes across Lake O

Algae blooms expanded to over 500 square miles across Lake O this week. Cyanobacteria, more commonly called blue-green algae, covered nearly 70% of the roughly 730-square-mile lake, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Cyanobacteria Index. 

Blooms could even be seen from space: A clear sky revealed dense algae caking the western half and eastern coastlines on true-color satellite imagery Wednesday. 

Algae documented at the Port Mayaca Lock & Dam contained 65 parts per billion of the toxin microcystin this week, according to DEP water samples taken Monday. That's over eight times more toxic than the minimum level the federal government deems unsafe.

At 8 parts per billion, microcystin makes water too hazardous to touch, ingest or inhale for people, pets and wildlife, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Microcystin can cause nausea and vomiting if ingested, and rash or hay fever symptoms if touched or inhaled. Drinking water containing the toxin can cause long-term and fatal liver disease. Research shows another toxin in algae called "BMAA" can trigger neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and Lou Gehrig's disease. Dogs have even died from having algae in their urine and liver.

Although the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is keeping the Port Mayaca floodgates closed for now, toxic algae is making its way into the C-44 Canal, which eventually flows to the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon and possibly out the St. Lucie Inlet onto Martin County beaches, as it did in 2018. 

The algae contained 21 parts per billion of microcystin Monday. That's over twice the minimum limit deemed unsafe. 

Will DeSantis issue a state of emergency?

DeSantis didn't heed the environmental coalition's request for an emergency order during a visit to Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Hobe Sound Monday, but he acknowledged the algae could worsen as summer brings more heat and moisture. 

“At the end of the day, it’s only going to get hotter, and we know that it’s more primed for algae,” DeSantis said Monday. Algae blooms typically grow in size and toxicity during the warmer, wetter summer months.

The Corps should keep Lake O’s level lower in the dry winter season to reduce harmful discharges that carry toxic algae to coastal estuaries, DeSantis added, and the agency should increase the amount of lake water it moves south. 

U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, R-Palm City, agreed a state of emergency should be authorized, according to spokesperson Francis Brennan in an emailed statement Thursday.

"Given that the blue-green algae on Lake O has been tested more than 100 times too toxic for human contact, according to the EPA, and is now 500 square miles, Rep. Mast certainly believes that a state of emergency is warranted," Brennan wrote, citing a recent highly toxic bloom at Pahokee Marina & Campground. 

U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fort Myers, said he's hesitant about a state of emergency.

"I don't think we're quite there. I think there's still mitigation that can happen," Donalds said Monday during the News-Press Southwest Florida Water Quality Summit. "Over the next couple of months, if we have an incredibly wet season than our normal wet season, I will be a little bit more concerned." 

Martin County and Lee County have not responded to TCPalm's request for comment Thursday. Indiantown village officials have not taken any formal action on the matter,  spokesperson Daniel Eick told TCPalm Thursday.

For more news, follow Max Chesnes on Twitter.

Max Chesnes is a TCPalm environment reporter covering issues facing the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie River and Lake Okeechobee. You can keep up with Max on Twitter @MaxChesnes, email him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and give him a call at 772-978-2224.

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