Federal lawmakers are close to passing a water bill with more than $1 billion set aside for some Everglades restoration projects, but it does not include an important comprehensive plan aimed at moving water south.
The last time Congress passed a water bill was 2007. This latest bill, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) is important for a lot reasons. It sets aside money and authorizes big projects aimed at protecting the country’s water resources. After years of water quality issues in Florida, residents and state lawmakers have been calling on Congress to finalize a plan.
This week, Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., announced U.S. House and Senate leaders agreed on a final bill with more than $1 billion for Florida.
Congress signed off on projects that will store polluted water from Lake Okeechobee, so it doesn’t flow in to the Caloosahatchee River—and others that will direct freshwater into Biscayne Bay and the River of Grass.
However, the bill does not include the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP), which is crucial—and it’s not Congress’ fault.
The Army Corps of Engineers has delayed signing off on the project, which aims to restore the historic flow of water south from Lake Okeechobee.
U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz Balart, R-Fla., represents a district that stretches across the Everglades from Collier to Miami-Dade County. He’s also a co-chair of the Congressional Everglades Caucus. He said he’s frustrated and annoyed.
“You know WRDA doesn’t happen every day and now this has created a major issue,” he said. “So, we are trying to figure out if we can recover from it, but the reality is that the Corps—the upper echelons of the Corps—frankly dropped the ball on something that is a hugely important issue not only for Florida but the entire country.”
Congress is expected to pass the bipartisan bill sometime next week.
