STUART, Fla. (AP) — The Obama administration has once again refused Florida Gov. Rick Scott's request to declare a federal state of emergency because of algae blooms on the St. Lucie River.
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The Orlando Sentinel reports that the Federal Emergency Management Agency on Thursday rejected Scott's appeal of the decision.
Scott earlier this month accused the federal government of failing to maintain and repair the Herbert Hoover Dike that surrounds Lake Okeechobee. He says that if the dike were stronger, less polluted water would need to be released into the river.
Most of the algae are gone after Lake Okeechobee discharges decreased.
FEMA denied the initial request last month, saying the state hasn't shown it can't handle the problem on its own.
FEMA spokesman Rafael Lemaitre says Scott cannot appeal the decision again.
