U.S. Representatives Alcee L. Hastings and Patrick E. Murphy have led a bipartisan letter from members of the Florida Congressional Delegation calling on Congressional leaders to maintain the full funding outlined in the President’s budget request for Everglades restoration efforts throughout the appropriations process.
“Our waterways are in crisis and require immediate action, but we cannot lose sight of the long-term goal of restoring the natural flow of water south of Lake Okeechobee,” said Congressman Patrick E. Murphy.
“Once completed, these Everglades restoration projects will provide the relief so desperately needed by the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon after decades of damaging discharges.”
“One third of Florida’s population gets its drinking water from the Everglades, so restoration efforts do not just affect wetlands and wilderness, but millions of people who need access to safe drinking water ,” added Congressman Alcee L. Hastings.
The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is the plan enacted by the U.S. Congress for the restoration of the Everglades ecosystem.
The majority of ongoing restoration projects are located in south Florida, including the CERP and the Central and Southern Florida projects such as C-111 South Dade and Kissimmee River Restoration.
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