Accomplishments: Restoring the Everglades and Protecting the Environment

Statement

Accomplishments: Restoring the Everglades and Protecting the Environment

Florida's 25th District is home to the Everglades National Park, one of our planet's true natural wonders and treasures, and Mario Diaz-Balart has made restoring the Everglades a top priority. In his first year in Congress, he successfully saved federal funding for Everglades restoration and continues to successfully fight for more funding. Less talk, more action.

• Founder and co-chairman of the Everglades Caucus, a group dedicated to Everglades restoration and conservation
• Successfully delivered $370 million for Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and $1 billion for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration.
Preserved Everglades restoration by passing two amendments on the House floor that eliminated unrealistic bureaucrat hurdles which would have eliminated all federal support

• Passed stand-alone legislation which was signed into law to provide necessary land tract for Everglades Restoration.

• Secured authorization for the first three projects under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) including the Picayune Strand project located in Easter Collier County which entails the elimination of roads and plugging of canals in order to replenish wetland habitats

• Secured authorization for the Modified Waters Deliveries project located on Tamiami Trail which will move more water into Everglades National Park and is a necessary first step toward overall restoration

• Ensured completion of the 8.5 square mile project while protecting the rights of area residents

• Member of Coastal Caucus

Source