Today, U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) called on Governor Scott to direct the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to work with the Army Corps to accelerate the planning phase of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA). Joining Murphy in sending this request are U.S. Reps. Alcee L. Hastings (FL-20), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23), Ted Deutch (FL-21), Frederica Wilson (FL-24), and Lois Frankel (FL-22).
Last week, Murphy doubled down on his call for the Administration and Army Corps to fast track high-impact Everglades restoration projects, including the EAA, to provide much-needed relief to communities impacted by massive discharges from Lake Okeechobee. On Tuesday, the Corps responded to this request, agreeing to swiftly begin the planning phase of this important water storage and treatment project once a non-federal sponsor for the study is identified to work with them towards this end. The planning phase of the EAA is currently scheduled to begin in 2021.
"The only way to solve this decades-old problem is for all levels of government to work together to immediately get to work on the long-term fixes needed to provide relief to the Treasure Coast's waterways and economy," said Murphy. "I thank the Corps for agreeing to work with the state to speed up the planning phase of the EAA and hope that they will find a willing partner in the SFWMD to do just that. We cannot wait another five years to get this critical project underway. Furthermore, I will continue to call on the state to immediately use Amendment 1 funds for land acquisition as Florida voters intended to allow for additional, much-needed water storage and treatment areas."
Please find the full text of Murphy's request below and attached:
July 28, 2016
Governor Rick Scott
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Dear Governor Scott:
As you are aware, historic El Niño-fueled rainfall during the dry season led the Army Corps to discharge nutrient-laden freshwater from Lake Okeechobee to the estuaries to the east and west of the lake. These nutrient-laden discharges coupled with local basin runoff, high summer temperatures, and extended daylight created an environment allowing toxic, blue-green algae to flourish.
Continued collaboration between federal, state and local stakeholders involved with Everglades restoration projects is imperative to efficiently move these projects forward toward completion and provide relief to our suffering communities and wildlife who call the affected waterways home. We must collectively work on solutions and projects that can mitigate the harmful effects being felt by Florida’s residents, businesses, economy, tourism, and our precious ecosystems.
The Army Corps and the South Florida Water Management District are set to start the planning process for the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Project which includes storage north of the lake. Although planning for storage north of the lake is a positive step towards overall restoration efforts, we urge that the planning for storage south of the lake in the Everglades Agricultural Area scheduled for 2021 be conducted concurrently with the north storage project.
Now that the Army Corps has agreed to accelerate the planning phase, we ask for your support for the South Florida Water Management District to join the effort.
Sincerely,
Patrick E. Murphy
Member of Congress
Alcee L. Hastings
Member of Congress
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Member of Congress
Ted Deutch
Member of Congress
Frederica Wilson
Member of Congress
Lois Frankel
Member of Congress
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