Florida has launched a hotline to help residents give updates on the massive algae bloom fouling some of Florida's southern rivers and beaches.
Residents can call a toll-free at 1-855-305-3903 or report information online at www.reportalgalbloom.com. The smelly muck comes just in time for the holiday weekend.
U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson have asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to stop the flow of water between the river and Lake Okeechobee. Residents and business owners blame the algae on pollutants streaming from the lake.
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Algae enveloping an area along the St. Lucie River in Stuart, Florida, in 2016. Gov. Rick Scott said for the first time Monday that he supports having the state acquire thousands of acres to build a reservoir system south of Lake Okeechobee to help battle algae problems in the lake. (Greg Lovett/The Palm Beach Post via AP)
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Algae covered water at Stuart's Central Marine boat docks is thick, Thursday, June 30, 2016, in Stuart, Fla. Officials want federal action along a stretch of Florida's Atlantic coast where the governor has declared a state of emergency over algae blooms. The blue-green algae is the latest contaminant in yearslong arguments over water flowing from Lake Okeechobee. Lawmakers say a southwest Florida county should be added to the state of emergency declared over an algae bloom on the Atlantic coast. (AP Photo/Terry Spencer)
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Algae covered water at Stuart's Central Marine boat docks is thick, Thursday, June 30, 2016, in Stuart, Fla. Officials want federal action along a stretch of Florida's Atlantic coast where the governor has declared a state of emergency over algae blooms. The blue-green algae is the latest contaminant in yearslong arguments over water flowing from Lake Okeechobee. Lawmakers say a southwest Florida county should be added to the state of emergency declared over an algae bloom on the Atlantic coast. (AP Photo/Terry Spencer)
The Army Corps started reducing the flow Friday, targeting the Caloosahatchee Estuary and the St. Lucie Estuary.
Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency over the smelly muck, and politicians and residents are blaming the federal government.
Scott says state officials will to conduct routine sampling.
