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Florida Launches Hotline For Residents To Report Algae Bloom

Boats docked at Central Marine in Stuart, Fla., are surrounded by blue green algae, Wednesday, June 29, 2016. Officials want federal action along the stretch of Florida's Atlantic coast where the governor has declared a state of emergency over algae blooms. The Martin County Commission is inviting the president to view deteriorating water conditions that local officials blame on freshwater being released from the lake, according to a statement released Wednesday. (Greg Lovett/The Palm Beach Post via AP)
Boats docked at Central Marine in Stuart, Fla., are surrounded by blue green algae, Wednesday, June 29, 2016. Officials want federal action along the stretch of Florida's Atlantic coast where the governor has declared a state of emergency over algae blooms. The Martin County Commission is inviting the president to view deteriorating water conditions that local officials blame on freshwater being released from the lake, according to a statement released Wednesday. (Greg Lovett/The Palm Beach Post via AP)

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.

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.

The Associated Press is a wire service to which WUFT News subscribes.