Legislation to Restore Indian River Lagoon Announced (USA)

U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy yesterday introduced legislation to bolster projects related to protecting and restoring the Indian River Lagoon.

The Indian River Lagoon Nutrient Removal Assistance Act would create a grant program to provide assistance to projects that will result in environmental benefits for the Indian River Lagoon, produce the greatest nutrient load reductions in the area, and advance the initiatives of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuaries Program.

The grant program would be funded by increasing fees associated with violating the federal Water Pollution Control Act.

“The crisis facing our local waterways has gone on for far too long, adversely impacting the Treasure Coast community and economy,” said Rep. Murphy. “This bill will provide much-needed assistance to projects that will directly and substantially benefit our Indian River Lagoon, helping improve the severe situation in our waters.”

Protecting Florida waterways has been a top priority for Murphy. He also worked to advance dredging projects for the Kissimmee River and C-111 canal, which redirects water flows to the east, thereby reducing flow through Taylor Slough, located in the southeastern corner of the Florida Everglades, into the northern Florida Bay.

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Press Release, July 31, 2014