Gov. Rick Scott accused the Obama administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wednesday of causing the problems that have led to algae blooms along a stretch of the state's east coast.

  • New problems with algae blooms off Martin, St. Lucie counties
  • Algae caused by water from Lake Okeechobee
  • Gov. Scott declared a state of emergency

The governor called a state of emergency for Martin and St. Lucie counties Wednesday because of the unusually high presence of algae on waterways in those areas.

The executive order allows state and local agencies to work on stopping the spread of the algae by redirecting the flow of water in and out of nearby Lake Okeechobee.

That includes fast-tracking water storage projects, including storing more water in the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will also be doing more surveys and on-site testing. One question that is still unanswered is whether the water is safe.

Scott blamed the problem on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers pumping water east and west of the lake to relieve pressure on the lake's aging dike.

The Corps said it would reduce the flow of water from the lake starting Friday.

In a statement Wednesday, the Martin County Commission invited the president and Gov. Scott to view deteriorating water conditions that local officials blame on freshwater being released from Lake Okeechobee. Both U.S. senators are expected to visit the area.

State lawmakers are also asking the governor to add Lee County to the state of emergency.

Martin County Ocean Rescue has opened a beach conditions hotline to learn about water conditions on the beaches. That number is 772-320-3112.

The algae problem from Lake Okeechobee has gone on for months. While the governor criticized the White House in March and now for pumping the water out and for not repairing the dam, critics of the governor point out that Congress, not the president, is responsible for allocating money to repair the dam, as well as for Everglades restoration.

Critics also say much of the problem with Lake Okeechobee comes from farms, including sugar farms, into the lake.

Environmentalists have called for Scott to prioritize building a reservoir south of the lake, something Scott has avoided doing. That's where many of the sugar cane farms are located.

The governor directed the South Florida Water management District to find ways to increase water flowing south from the lake in the latest declaration, but no direct call for a new reservoir.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.