New Planning Document for Everglades Restoration

Yesterday, following the release of a revised Integrated Delivery Schedule (IDS) for Everglades restoration projects at the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force meeting, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio urged the Army Corps to work with the South Florida Water Management District, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, to reassess the prioritization of restoration projects across the system, and to shorten key project delivery timelines enshrined in the new planning document.

After his June request, Rubio welcomed an announcement by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) that it had approved the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) Post-Authorization Change Report (PACR), allowing Congress to consider authorizing construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir to reduce Lake Okeechobee discharges to coastal communities.

Earlier this month, Rubio also requested that President Trump have the Corps delay scheduled discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers, as well as double Everglades restoration funding beginning with his fiscal year 2020 budget request to Congress.

The full text of the letter can be found here!