The President is at the Floridian National Golf Club in Palm City for a weekend of golf. This morning, environmentalists used his visit to get a message out about the algae blooming in the St. Lucie River.
With signs in tow, well over 100 people lined the Old Palm City Bridge.
“The discharges have got to stop,” said Rebecca. “That's the only solution to the pollution around here.”
They’re protesting Lake Okeechobee discharges hoping President Obama is listening
“We don't need one drop of Lake O water,” said Kenny Hinkle, Jr, of Stuart. “We never have. It messed up the plumbing here in Florida. We need to fix it.”
Martin County Sheriff William Snyder has one message for the President.
“You enjoy your stay here, you enjoy being on the golf course, we need this river so that you can come back and enjoy it in the future,” said Snyder.
“I fish mackerel, blue fish,” said Joseph Lloyd, a commercial fisherman.
Lloyd says green algae blooms are busting his business.
“It's cut it in half my income because of the black plume, when it hits there the fish leave,” explained Lloyd. “Even the porpoise are gone.”
Meanwhile, protestors also appeared on boats pleading for the federal government to provide more money to save the St Lucie River.
“We need help communicating with our congress to stop these toxic discharges,” said Martin County Commissioner Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch.