David Rivera Pledges to Fight for Everglades Restoration

Over the weekend, Florida Republican U.S. Rep. David Rivera toured the Everglades National Park and the Big Cypress National Preserve and pledged to fight to preserve them.

Our nation has a $14 trillion national debt, as well as record deficits, Rivera said. There is no question we are facing a difficult budget year. However, we're going to fight for our priorities within those constraints.

The Everglades and Big Cypress are national treasures and important economic resources for the state of Florida, Rivera added. Everglades restoration is a huge priority for the Florida delegation. I feel a special responsibility to this issue because so much of the national park and the national preserve fall within my congressional district. One of the reasons that I requested to be a part of the House Committee on Natural Resources was precisely to ensure that we are protecting our environmental interests.

As we go forward, we must hear from all the stakeholders to determine what prudent steps can be taken now, in the current economic climate, and in the future, to achieve the goal of restoring water flow in these areas, he concluded.

Sign up for news alerts from Sunshine State News