Florida Delegation Urges Trump to Increase Everglades Funding

Both of Florida’s Republican U.S. Senators say President Trump’s budget doesn’t include enough money for Everglades restoration.

The initial budget proposal by the president includes 63 million dollars for Everglades restoration in fiscal year 2020. Florida’s congressional delegation was hoping for 200 million.

Much of the Everglades funding would go toward the creation of a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. The 17,000 acre reservoir would store excess water from the lake, which is normally discharged into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers. Those discharges are blamed for devastating algae blooms on both coasts.

“If we don’t have adequate funding it’s just going to take longer to complete,” said Calusa Waterkeeper John Cassani of the project.