/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/11175758/Algae-Dam.jpg "Algae piles up against the shore of the St. Lucie Canal, which connects with Lake Okeechobee’s east shore, July 11, 2018. An algae bloom has residents and government officials concerned, particularly after the 2016 algae bloom that impacted the environment and economies in Central Florida.
(Charlie Trainor/Miami Herald)")
WASHINGTON – Rep. Francis Rooney, R-Naples, wants federal officials to come see the toxic algae ravaging parts of Florida.
Rooney sent a letter Tuesday to the heads of seven federal agencies, including the EPA, Army Corps and Agriculture Department, "so that they may personally assess the damage, meet with key local officials, and provide recommendations on how their agencies may be able to help."
The action follows a demand Rooney made Monday of President Trump to declare a state of emergency.
/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/tbt/e61fba27-044c-4f99-970d-b81462e757a7.png "Alex Leary - Former Times Staffer")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/PSEAXIQAVJD4FKFWC42NFEENRA.jpeg "Editorial cartoons for Friday from Times wire services")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/DKDFEFEQDVBCBKPQBWLTE77BLI.jpg "Rays are calling up top prospect Junior Caminero")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VALJU2JZOZE3VHK3QVCBPQGWDE.JPG "Rays’ Luke Raley will ‘miss some time,’ Brandon Lowe day to day")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/G2E2HXYJXRH45DHZHLULCPD6OM.JPG "Rays rally in ninth to walk off Angels, stay in AL East race")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/BK7T5GZP5FDRXLYLUDNXJ33KXE.jpg "Corcoran, 2 others make their case to be New College’s next president")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/Q4D4VQZCM5GVTHDQ7S2RX7JLT4.JPG "Pinellas trolley driver attacked by stranger near St. Pete Pier, police said")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KABY3LMRNRBBRFB3TNQCXZHH7U.JPG "There’s not a hotter quarterback on 3rd down than Bucs’ Baker Mayfield")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/3BHIPGJH7JC4PEXLOKTUXI6XDE.jpg "Attorneys for All Children’s make hospital’s case in ‘Maya’ lawsuit")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/TPCUEXTXPZACNEGBLTHMB5FTHQ.jpg "Florida State football and the philosophical subplot against Clemson")
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/VHFW4IEELJAUOQEA4WGJUK2RCY.jpg "Florida families say school vouchers are unpaid, causing major disruption")