Earlier today, TCPalm published an article about a letter I sent to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after a recent meeting we had in Washington D.C. The subject? A rock mine proposal that has the potential to devastate our most important Everglades project in a generation. Let me explain what’s at stake. 

The proposed Southland rock mine would sit in the heart of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA), right near the EAA Reservoir—which is the centerpiece of our plan to send more clean water south and end the toxic discharges in our water. Any project that blocks that mission could jeopardize everything we’ve worked so hard for. That’s why I sent a letter to the Corps with three simple questions: 

1. Has the Corps conducted any scientific analysis or review of the proposed project, given its proximity to the EAA reservoir? 

2. Do Army Corps officials have questions, reservations, or concerns about the Southland project’s impact on Everglades restoration progress and infrastructure, existing or planned? 

3. Would the Southland project potentially impact navigable waterways?

We’ve seen what happens when projects are pushed through without fully understanding their impact, especially for the fragile and interconnected ecosystems in southern Florida. But the Corps said the quiet part out loud: there are real, credible concerns about this mine that must be addressed first. We need clarity, accountability, and a commitment to Everglades restoration. As your representative, I’ll keep fighting to protect our waters, infrastructure, and the investment we’ve made in our future.