Rubio Wins Fight on Water Project Authorities

Press Release

The Water Resources Development Act of 2022 (WRDA) contains important authorities secured by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to strengthen Florida's water resources infrastructure. 
 
Earlier this year, Rubio placed a hold on the Senate's WRDA legislation until several additional Florida water projects were included. 
 

"This legislation will do much more for Florida's water infrastructure because of the hard-fought provisions I was proud to secure. These are important projects that will restore the Everglades and mitigate flood risks. 

 

"I look forward to these provisions becoming law and I will continue to fight for the health and economic viability of Florida's waterways." -- Senator Rubio

 
Rubio secured the below provisions as a result of his hold: 

Port Everglades Harbor Widening and Deepening Project. Initially authorized in WRDA 2016, additional environmental assessment and mitigation costs required a modification to the project authority for the harbor deepening and widening to progress. Senator Rubio secured the needed authority. 

 

Central Everglades Restoration Project (CERP) Cost-Share Reform. Rubio's policy closes a loophole in the CERP cost-share framework to help protect the program from being undermined by unelected bureaucrats who oppose Everglades restoration.

                       

Comprehensive Central and Southern Florida Study. Thanks to Rubio's efforts, WRDA explicitly authorizes a comprehensive restudy of the Central and Southern Florida (C&SF) project for flood control. This will be the first comprehensive federal reassessment of the flood control system since 1948.

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