Protesters Greet Rick Scott at St. Lucie Lock and Dam

Gov. Rick Scott made his arrival at the St. Lucie lock and dam around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, and throngs of protesters were there to greet him at the gates. Many protesters -- around 500 -- gatheredwith signs to protest water discharges from Lake Okeechobee.

Gov. Scott toured the locks at Lake Okeechobee. Further east, near areas of urban runoff and septic systems, is an area that has been affected by toxic algae.

The protestors chanted "Save our river," but Scott did not address them.

Scott recently committed $40 million tofinish construction on a stormwater treatment project by the St. Lucie River.The governor says the $40 million investment from Florida will speed up the completion date of the project, which he says will protect the water quality in the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.

After a tour of the lock and dam with Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, Scott said "the federal government has to step up" and start funding quality water projects.

Scott was asked about the numerous protesters outside. While he did not exactly address the protesters, he said he would remain committed to fixing water issues.

"Ive been working on this project since the problem started and Im going to continue to work on it," Scott said to reporters. "Ive worked very hard to ensure we get the right thing to happen. Today, were announcing that were going to make sure theres another $40 million in this budget to deal with this issue as quickly as we can."