The St. Lucie and Indian River Lagoon are vital to the Treasure Coast and their health and well-being has been one of Congressman Murphy's top priorities.  As a native Floridian, he has long understood the importance of protecting our environment and the role it plays in our future, our economy, and our entire way of life.  Since his first days in office, he has had countless meetings in the district and D.C. with everyone from community activists to the head of the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss not only the problems, but the solutions, both short-term and long-term, that can only come from mutual understanding of the problem and cooperation of local, state, and federal entities.

On October 3rd, he held an historic bipartisan Congressional briefing on issues affecting the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers, bringing national attention to the issue of toxic waters that have been plaguing the Treasure Coast with over 100 members of the community and over 20 Members of Congress participating.  To find out more about this briefing, click here.

In addition to the briefing, Congressman Murphy has been continuously advocating for both long-term and short-term solutions to address this ongoing crisis, such as:

• Introducing the Indian River Lagoon Nutrient Removal Assistance Act to create a grant program to reduce harmful nutrients in the waterways by penalizing polluters.
• Introducing the Estuary Urgent Needs Priority Program with Rep. Bill Posey to prioritize funding for estuary systems such as the Indian River Lagoon that are experiencing urgent ecological challenges with significant algal blooms and sea grass die-offs.
• After successfully advocating for the President to prioritize in his budget the full funding request for FY15 to begin phase 2 of the C-44 Indian River Lagoon South project, Murphy successfully advocated for full Everglades funding, including this $38 million for C-44, in the House Energy & Water Appropriations Act that passed the House with bipartisan support.  
  • The bill also included a Murphy amendment to provide additional funding for the Army Corps construction account that could help other vital ongoing projects that would benefit local waterways, such as the Kissimmee River Project, moving forward more expeditiously.
  • Called on the Senate to act to pass this funding measure, preserving this full funding amount for C-44.
• Introducing the Impaired Waters Improvement Act - to assist local farmers in improving water quality through water infrastructure upgrades and conservation practices.
• Working to include language in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) that will assist in Everglades restoration projects, and supporting final passage of the legislation.
• Urging the Army Corps to move forward on the Kissimmee River Project and the C-111 South Dade Project, which the Corps did shortly thereafter. 
  • The Kissimmee River Project will help hold more water north of Lake Okeechobee, and the C-111 South Dade Project will allow more fresh water into Everglades National Park
• Advocating for the President to prioritize funding for the C-44 project which resulted in the President's budget request for fiscal year 2015 including $66 million for the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Program, and $38 million to finish phase 1 of the C-44 Indian River Lagoon South project and begin phase 2.
• Action on  moving forward as expeditiously as possible to finalize the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP), which would move more water south of Lake Okeechobee, helping reduce harmful freshwater discharges into the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon. 
• Including language in the FY15 Agriculture Appropriations bill that will help the state of Florida leverage more funds for water storage projects that will help keep more water out of our waterways.
• Requesting the President visit the area to witness the pollution firsthand.
• Hosting a historic bipartisan Congressional briefing on issues affecting the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers, bringing national attention to the issue of toxic waters that have been plaguing the Treasure Coast with over 100 members of the community and over 20 Members of Congress participating.
• Meeting with top agency officials to get federal agencies more involved, including showing the head of the Army Corps issue firsthand.
• Bringing Congressional leaders to tour the damaged areas, bringing attention to the ongoing crisis.
• Urging the Army Corps to reevaluate the Lake Okeechobee Release Schedule (LORS) to reassess how much water can be safely stored in the lake as well as moving water from Water Conservation Areas (WCAs) to allow more water to flow south of the lake.
• Supporting Army Corps funding to complete the C-44 reservoir project to help filter water flowing into the St. Lucie.
• Fighting for Everglades restoration projects in the upcoming water bill to complete these projects more quickly & effectively.
• Working in a bipartisan manner to complete the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) that will allow water to flow south from Lake Okeechobee.
• Supporting the establishment of an Everglades Headwater Conservation Area north of the lake to reduce agricultural run-offs.
• Working with the South Florida Water Management District to find alternative water storage south of the lake.
• Supporting municipal and county efforts to upgrade storm water systems.
• Advocating for coastal restoration and estuary maintenance funding.
• Supporting local scientists who study and monitor water quality levels and research specific sources of pollution.
• Assisting in the construction of oyster reefs to help filter water in the Indian River Lagoon.

What YOU can do to help:

• Inspect your septic system annually and have it pumped out at least once every three years.
• Follow local fertilizer rules, which you can find on the county government websites for St. Lucie, Martin, and Palm Beach counties.