Scott Declares State of Emergency for 3 Counties Hurting from Lake 'O' Discharges

Following sustained rainfall and record Lake Okeechobee discharges, Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency Friday in Lee, Martin and St. Lucie counties.

Though it isn't known exactly what Scott's declaration will mean to individual victims of the damaging fresh-water releases in each county -- whether it is meant to provide real economic relief -- it is clear the governor is using it as a tool and a soapbox to get the attention of what he considers a negligent Obama Administration.

Scott called upon Obama to fully fund the more-than-$800 million in needed repairs to the federally operated Herbert Hoover Dike which would safely hold water to prevent these discharges. To date, the state of Florida has invested $880 million more than the federal government is required to provide for clean water to the Everglades, he said. To view the Executive Order, click HERE.

On Friday the lake was 16.07 feet above sea level. That's high and the discharges will keep on coming, streaming into the St. Lucie estuary to the east and the Caloosahatchee estuary to the west. The Army Corps tries to maintain the lake at between 12.5 and 15.5 feet.

"We have to place more emphasis on our public safety concerns," U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesman John Campbell said.

South Florida's rainiest winter since 1932 has boosted Lake Okeechobee waters to the point that poses a risk to the erosion-prone dike that protects the region from flooding.

“The negative effects of flood waters and harm to wildlife we are currently witnessing in these counties is only the beginning," Scott said in announcing the state of emergency.

"Our communities are in imminent danger of prolonged flooding and environmental devastation if the dike is ever compromised. Not only is the well-being and health of our families at risk if the Obama Administration doesn’t immediately begin funding repairs to their federally operated dike, but our housing market, tourism industry and agricultural community will fail if the dike is not repaired and properly maintained."
 
The governor concluded, “We need President Obama to get engaged immediately on this issue and fully fund the needed repairs to their dike so massive U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ discharges are no longer needed. With heavy rainfall and record discharges, we have no choice but to declare a State of Emergency in these counties today and hope President Obama will pay attention to this crisis.”

Florida has invested nearly $2 billion in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and $1.8 billion in providing clean water to the Everglades. Scott’s 2016-2017 budget includes an additional $5 billion over the next 20 years to substantially complete CERP and make sure clean water is sent to the Everglades.
 
Since the CERP was passed in 1999, Florida has invested $880 million more than the federal government on implementing the 50/50 cost-share plan. This funding, in addition to the $800 million needed for Herbert Hoover Dike repairs, plus the $5 billion contained in Scott’s budget, means the federal government needs to invest $6.7 billion to keep up with Florida’s commitment to the greater Everglades ecosystem over the next 20 years.

Obama only asked for $155.5 million next year, less than half of what the federal government should be investing annually, Scott said.