MURPHY TO STATE LAWMAKERS: USE AMENDMENT ONE FUNDS AS FLORIDA VOTERS INTENDED

Washington, D.C. – (RealEstateRama) — U.S. Representative Patrick E. Murphy (FL-18) sent the following letter to leadership in the Florida Legislature in support of legislation allocating Amendment 1 Land Acquisition Trust Fund dollars for Everglades restoration projects that will benefit local waterways by cleaning, storing, and moving more water south of Lake Okeechobee. Copies of the letter were sent to Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, Chairman Alan Hays, Chairman Richard Corcoran, Senate Democratic Leader Arthenia L. Joyner, House Democratic Leader Mark Pafford, Vice Chair Oscar Braynon II, Ranking Member Janet Cruz, Senator Joe Negron, and Representative Gayle Harrell.

“Our waterways are once again in crisis after heavy rainfall has led to massive runoff, with discharges from Lake Okeechobee polluting the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon. While I continue to push for funding and authorization of critical Everglades restoration projects on the federal level, we also have more work to do on the state level,” said Murphy. “I am disappointed to see that after 75 percent of voters – 4.2 million Floridians – voted for Amendment 1, this funding has not been used to advance land acquisition and conservation efforts. I am proud to support legislation introduced by my Treasure Coast colleagues State Senator Joe Negron and State Representative Gayle Harrell to make sure these funds are used as Florida voters intended, improving the health of our local waterways and the entire Everglades system.”

Please find below and attached a copy of the letter:
As you know, Senator Joe Negron (SB 1168) and Representative Gayle Harrell (HB 989) have introduced legislation allocating Amendment 1 Land Acquisition Trust Fund dollars for Everglades restoration projects that reduce harmful discharges to the St. Lucie Estuary and the Caloosahatchee Estuary. I am proud to support this legislation and respectfully urge its swift consideration and passage. As historic, El Niño-fueled rainfall and discharges from Lake Okeechobee once again threaten the Indian River Lagoon and Caloosahatchee River, fully funding Everglades restoration is more important than ever. I am proud to partner with my colleagues on the Treasure Coast in our dedication to completing the necessary projects to clean, store, and move water south.

As the federal government enters budget and appropriations season, I will continue to champion for full federal funding for Everglades restoration, including Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects (CERP). Along with Reps. Clawson, Hastings, Diaz-Balart, I recently co-led a letter to the Office of Management and Budget requesting full funding for CERP and non-CERP Army Corps Everglades projects in the President’s FY17 budget request. I was also proud to stand with Sens. Rubio and Nelson and Rep. Jolly in leading every member of the Florida congressional delegation in a letter to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee pushing for swift authorization of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP).

Marjory Stoneman Douglas famously noted something we all know to be true: “There are no other Everglades in the world.” Only by working together on a bipartisan basis and in partnership on the state, local, and federal levels will we see progress preserving, protecting, and restoring our River of Grass, while saving our local environment. I applaud Senator Negron and Representative Harrell’s efforts in garnering necessary funding for these worthwhile projects, and I will continue to stand with those who seek to use Amendment 1 Land Acquisition Trust Fund dollars as intended.

Respectfully,

Patrick E. Murphy
Member of Congress

Erin Moffet (561-253-8433)