Today, I voted to pass legislation delivering the highest funding level for Everglades restoration ever included in an appropriations package. As part of  the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, the House just approved$461,000,000 for the restoration of south Florida’s ecosystems. This funding is something that we’ve fought for year after year. And while it is still short of the full amount that’s needed, I’m encouraged that we’ve seen a big increase this year. 

But that’s not all, this bill, as well as the Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, allocates funding for even more projects that are vital to our community:  

• $500,000: Funding for studies, assessments, and investigations on water projects in the Corps’s South Atlantic Division, which is specifically reserved for the City of Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County.

• $5,048,000: Funding for operations and necessary maintenance for the St. Lucie Inlet  

• $750,000: Funds the City of Port St. Lucie’s Stormwater Quality Project

Next, the Senate will consider these two pieces of legislation before it can reach the President’s desk and become law. I’m proud of everything these bills will deliver for our communities as we continue to construct and maintain our essential water infrastructure plans.