MURPHY APPLAUDS HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSAGE OF WATER BILL AUTHORIZING CEPP

UWASHINGTON, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) made the following statement commending the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s passage of H.R. 5303, the Water Resources Development Act of 2016, which includes language authorizing the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP). Murphy has been a vocal advocate for this project’s authorization to help restore the Everglades’ natural southward flow as part of his continuing efforts to address the ongoing crisis in Florida’s waterways. Today’s action in the House follows the passage of WRDA legislation by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee also authorizing CEPP.

Today’s action in the House follows the passage of WRDA legislation by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee also authorizing CEPP.

“For our Florida communities that have been suffering from toxic waters, today’s action in the House is a welcome step forward in our efforts to send more clean water south. Not only is it commendable to have Congress return to considering a water bill every two years, but having both chambers include authorization of CEPP is a major win,” said Murphy. “I am hopeful that the House and Senate move to swiftly pass this legislation and push this vital project forward.”

Committed to continuing the fight to improve the health of local waterways, Murphy recently led the Florida delegation in calling on U.S. House and Senate leaders to include Congressional authorization of CEPP in the 2016 Water Resources Development Act. He also led a bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers in introducing H.R. 230 at the beginning of this Congress to authorize CEPP after the Army Corps finalized its Chief’s Report for the project in December of 2014.

Background on CEPP:
CEPP is a $2 billion series of engineering projects intended to collect and channel water around Lake Okeechobee south into the center of the Everglades, thereby reducing harmful discharges into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries and improving the health of the entire ecosystem. CEPP was not included in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 because the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers had not completed a key report approving the project before the bill was signed into law on June 10, 2014. The Chief’s Report was finalized on December 23, 2014, which allows Congress to now take action to authorize it. Once authorized, the project can receive federal funding and construction can begin.

Erin Moffet (202-225-3026)