October 18, 2018
By Florida Sportsman Editor
Important Everglades Restoration Legislation Moves to the President's Desk
Keep Florida Fishing, (KFF) an advocacy arm of the American Sportfishing Association, today praised the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives for passage of the America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (S. 3021). The Act, which incorporates the biennial Water Resources Development Act (WRDA), includes authorization of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Storage Reservoir project and requires an expedited review of how Lake Okeechobee levels are managed under its regulation schedule. The legislation also supports restoration of the Kissimmee River and requires the development of a Harmful Algal Bloom technology program. All are important components that will help address South Florida's water quality issues.
The U.S. House previously approved the compromise legislation on September 13th, the bill now heads to the President's desk for his signature.
“Thank you to everyone who has contacted their representatives to support WRDA. This legislation is crucial to reducing the ongoing estuary discharges and algal blooms affecting the state. Passing WRDA is a monumental step in restoring the Everglades and providing clean water for our fisheries, and we greatly appreciate the leadership of Florida's Congressional Delegation in securing its passage. We will continue to work with Congress to ensure that sufficient funding is available to carry out the Act's provisions,” said Kellie Ralston, Southeast Fisheries Policy Director of the American Sportfishing Association.
“This is a tremendous win for Florida's waters and anglers. WRDA includes several provisions that will address the state's current water quality issues. This bipartisan compromise will dramatically advance Keep Florida Fishing's mission to ensure anglers have clean waters, abundant fisheries and access to both,” said Gary Jennings, Director of Keep Florida Fishing.
