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For years, anglers have led efforts to restore the quality and quantity of water flows to and from the Everglades. With the passage of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan in 2000, Congress initiated a wide-ranging effort to rehabilitate the natural hydrologic processes of this unique ecosystem. A lack of federal funding to match the State of Florida’s financial commitment, however, has hampered its implementation. But that may finally change with the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee’s recent approval of $200 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers South Florida Ecosystem Restoration program.
The Trump Administration’s original 2020 budget proposed $63 million for Everglades restoration projects. President Trump increased this allocation after a visit to Lake Okeechobee and intense lobbying from groups including boating and fishing organizations. The revised budget calls for $200 million for construction, operations, and maintenance projects to clean and regulate the flow of water and curb algae blooms and red tide events affecting South Florida.
These announcements follow the enactment of the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018. This extensive law authorized projects designed to enhance the nation’s ports, harbors, and waterways while investing in drinking water, flood control, storm water, and sewer infrastructure. Additionally, it approved construction of the Everglades Agricultural Area reservoir to detain and filter nutrient-laden water discharges from Lake Okeechobee.
Despite these legislative efforts, work remains in order to secure permanent financing for Everglades restoration projects. The Senate must vote to approve this funding and President Trump must sign a final bill before it becomes law. Nevertheless, these developments should bring optimism to anglers plying the waters of South Florida.
Author Bio: Brian Beaton is a friend of T&T who shares our love of fishing and conservation. In addition to being a passionate angler, he is a lawyer and writer who periodically shares interesting conservation-related topics with us.