Page 14 - August Life In Naples Magazine

UPDATE ON LAKE OKEECHOBEE

AND THE HERBERT HOOVER DIKE

by Congressman Francis Rooney
T he rainy season has begun early this year in Southwest discussions with all relevant committees
Simultaneously, I have been in
Florida, a stark reminder that it is more important than
ever to complete the reinforcement of the Herbert Hoover
of jurisdiction in Congress and the Trump
Dike as expeditiously as possible. Unfortunately, even
Administration to secure additional funds
before Subtropical Storm Alberto, the level of the lake was
process. We are now on track to receive
at 14 ft. – 3 ft. above normal for this time of the year. These levels through the upcoming appropriations
are controlled by the Army Corps of Engineers, and are closely $105 million dedicated to Everglades
monitored to protect the structural integrity of the Dike and the Restoration Projects. Included is beginning
safety of the surrounding communities. construction on the EAA reservoir, a water
The Herbert Hoover Dike was originally constructed between storage and filtering area south of the
1932 and 1938 after massive loss of life due to flooding caused by lake. These funds and projects will provide
hurricanes. It was expanded to its current size in 1960 and now permanent solutions to our water crisis.
encompasses 143 miles. The Dike has become structurally defective Finally, $30 million that we successfully appropriated through
in certain areas and repairs to reinforce the structure have been an emergency funding bill earlier this year is being used to complete
underway since 2001. They are projected to be finished towards the Picayune Strand project and Kissimmee River restoration (a
the end of this decade and every year that can be expedited is a key component for clean water to enter the lake). I look forward to
potentially lifesaving step. Thus far the federal government has providing you future updates.
exclusively funded these repairs; however, $50 million each in 2018
and 2019 has been appropriated by the State of Florida to help
speed up completion of the work.
Reducing the number and volume of discharges from the Francis Rooney is the U.S. Representative for Florida’s 19th
lake into the Caloosahatchee River is another critical reason for congressional district.
completing the construction as soon as possible. The adjacent
estuaries and Pine Island Sound can accommodate reasonable
volumes of water, less than 1000 cfs, but when the lake level nears CONTACT OUR OFFICES
14 or 15 feet, massive volumes are discharged into the river, reaching
Lee County Office
several thousand cfs. After Hurricane Irma, discharges as high as 1039 S.E. 9th Place • Suite 308
12,000 cfs were released.
Cape Coral, FL 33990
Our tourism based economy is inextricably linked to the marine
Phone: 239.599.6033
environment and the health of the Lake Okeechobee Watershed.
Clean water is the foundation of a healthy economy in Southwest
Collier County Office
Florida. There is a $2 trillion economic impact spread across 164 3299 Tamiami Trail East • Suite 105
cities and 16 counties in Southwest and Southeast Florida, and
Naples, FL 34112
more than 55% of the real estate value in the entire state is directly
Phone: 239.252.6225
affected.
I am working to secure the funding necessary to expedite repairs
Washington, DC Office
of the HHD many years ahead of schedule so that more water 120 Cannon House Office Building
can be held in the lake during times of above average rainfall and Washington, DC 20515
hurricane events. For the first time, we have secured full funding for Phone: 202.225.2536
the Dike, $212 million.

14 Life in Naples | Aug/Sept/Oct 2018