WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18), along with Congressmen Bill Posey (FL-8), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Greg Steube (FL-17) and Carlos Gimenez (FL-26), today called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to direct $5 billion in funding to Everglades restoration in its upcoming work plan after the Biden Administration failed to do so in the Democrats’ infrastructure bill.

“The Biden Administration spent over one trillion dollars in what they call a ‘once-in-a-generation’ investment in our nation’s infrastructure, and yet, not one dollar of that investment was set aside specifically for Everglades restoration. Florida deserves better,” Rep. Mast said. “Now, it’s up to the Army Corps to right that wrong to ensure that the Everglades are prioritized.” 

The letter requests that the U.S. Army Corps include $5 billion for Everglades restoration in its work plan in order to fully fund the next five years of Integrated Delivery Schedule (IDS) projects.  IDS projects include the Indian River Lagoon South project, the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) reservoir and other projects under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). 

The request comes after the Biden Administration announced it was delaying completion of the critical EAA reservoir. 

The full text of the letter can be viewed here. 

 

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