Congressman Francis Rooney Provides Testimony on Water Quality

Washington, DC – Congressman Francis Rooney joined with representatives from the Army Corp of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and local Florida governments, to address his colleagues in the Florida Delegation during a bipartisan hearing on water and beach issues facing coastal communities and the Lake Okeechobee Watershed.

Congressman Rooney stated; “I thank the Florida Delegation for your support of funding for the many projects already designed and approved under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. There are several projects authorized in the WRDA legislation passed in 2007, 2014 and 1016 which need funding to complete. The Lake Okeechobee watershed and Everglades have a far ranging impact to the entire State of Florida and to the country, but particularly in Southeast and Southwest Florida- where 55% of real estate in the state is affected, 2 trillion dollars of economic impact across 164 cities and 16 counties.  I am grateful to both Congressman Vern Buchanan and Congressman Alcee Hastings, who are the deans of our delegation, for convening this very important hearing.

Last week, all members of the Florida Congressional delegation signed a letter, led by Congressman Rooney, that was sent to President Trump. This letter called on the President to support Everglades Restoration projects in his fiscal year 2018 Budget. Today’s hearing is a continuation of efforts to bring attention to the water