Legislation introduced Thursday by U.S. District 14 Congressman Connie Mack will, if approved, help improve the overall health of Southwest Florida’s most important river.

“The Caloosahatchee River is the lifeblood of Southwest Florida,” Mack, R-FL, said in a prepared statement. “Last year, American Rivers ranked the Caloosahatchee River as the seventh most endangered river in the United States. Improving the quality and quantity of water flowing down the Caloosahatchee River is critical for the long-term health of our unique ecosystem.”

The bill is also co-sponsored by Congressmen Mario Diaz-Balart, R-FL 25, Vern Buchanan, R-FL 13, and Tim Mahoney, D-FL 16.

Surges of nutrient-laden water from Lake Okeechobee unnaturally flow down the river and destroy the ecosystem of the estuaries in the region.

Currently, the Army Corps of Engineers is planning to develop the C-43 Basin Storage Reservoir, an above-ground storage facility to help reduce the surges.

Mack’s legislation will add construction of conservation areas such as marshes to naturally filter nutrients out of the water.

“I will continue working with state and local officials, the South Florida Water Management District and the Army Corps of Engineers on options that will help to provide better management of these water flows, improve water quality and preserve our delicate environment,” Mack concluded in his prepared statement.

Lee County Commissioner Tammy Hall said the legislation is fantastic and Mack is doing a good job in getting the problem recognized.

“The fact that he is working to bring federal dollars is great,” Hall said. “We may get some state dollars to contribute as well.”

Hall said if the legislation passes, Lee County may only have to pick up one-third of the bill in the clean-up effort.

“I’m happy to see federal, state and local governments working together,” Hall said. “I’m glad we are all on the same page.”