STATE OFFERS HELP TO BUSINESSES HIT BY LAKE RELEASES
Small businesses that can show financial damage from water releases out of Lake Okeechobee into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries can apply for "emergency bridge" loans from the state.
Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday directed the Department of Economic Opportunity to open an application period for the loans in Lee, Martin and St. Lucie counties. Businesses have until April 30 to apply.
The governor's office estimated that more than 100 businesses have been affected by releases from the lake. Last month, Scott signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency for counties impacted by the ongoing discharge of polluted water from Lake Okeechobee into the estuaries.
The order allowed Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Bryan Koon to determine the level of relief needed and to seek assistance from the federal government and through an agreement with other states. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has increased water releases to ease pressure on the Herbert Hoover Dike surrounding the lake. The pressure stems from a buildup of water caused by recent heavy rains. The corps has approved Scott's request to divert some water from the lake south into the Everglades. Earlier this week, U.S. Reps. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., and Curt Clawson, R-Fla., sent a letter to Congressional budget leaders asking to increase President Barack Obama's funding request for dike repairs from $49.5 million to $64.1 million.