Members of both parties in the Florida delegation stood together on Thursday to announce support of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP).
Insisting the CEPP -- a plan to move water near Lake Okeechobee and channel it toward the middle of the Everglades with a price tag around $2 billion -- was being held up by red tape, Floridas two senators -- Republican Marco Rubio and Democrat Bill Nelson -- are looking to spur it through the Senate. In the House, U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-Fla., will be sponsoring the effort. Other backers in the Florida delegation are Republican U.S. Reps. Ander Crenshaw, Bill Posey and Tom Rooney, and Democratic U.S. Reps. Corrine Brown, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel, Gwen Graham, Alcee Hastings, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Frederica Wilson.
Supporters of the CEPP proposal insist the projects will increase water flow in the southern parts of the Everglades and improve waters in the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.
"No single effort is more important to the future of the Everglades than the Central Everglades Planning Project, and I hope Congress will move quickly to approve its authorization, Rubio said on Thursday. Its not only a critical component to help ensure future generations can enjoy all the Everglades has to offer, but it is also a project that is essential to water management in Florida.
Nelson noted that the proposal was not included in last years water bill due to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report not being completed until late last month.
"Now that the Corps has signed off, we cant waste any more time getting the money needed to restore an area that not only is at the heart of Floridas environment, but also is a source of clean drinking water for so many in the state, said Nelson on Thursday.
Murphy also pointed toward the report backing the need for the proposed project.
With the Corps finalizing their chiefs report for CEPP, it is now time for Congress to do what we all know needs to happen sending clean water south. I am proud that our delegation stands united in both chambers and both parties in pushing Congress to get this done, understanding how critical this project is to not only the Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches I am proud to represent, but the entire system across the state of Florida.
"The Everglades is a remarkable ecosystem that is one of a kind due to the habitat it provides to thousands of species of plants and animals, Jolly said. It is also a source of drinking water for millions of residents in Florida. The CEPP is critical to protecting and restoring this precious resource and will reduce the volume of polluted water devastating the coastal ecologies and economies. This innovative project is a major step toward restoring one of the Everglades and protecting it from future destruction.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
