WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26), Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Everglades Caucus, released the following statement after the passage of S.4367, Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024: “Under the leadership of Speaker Johnson and Chairman Graves, WRDA 2024 legislation pushes the envelope further with the United States Army Corp of Engineers to ensure a timely and cost-effective project delivery for water and infrastructure projects across the country. Over eight million Floridians rely on drinking water sourced from the Everglades National Park. WRDA 2024 includes a series of wins for Everglades restoration efforts in South Florida - Project authorization for the Western Everglades Restoration Project
- Project authorization for Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Phase I Project
- Bill language on the accounting of Cape Sable Seaside Sparrows
In addition, the following WRDA 2024 project authorization for South Florida: - Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction Project Authorization for the Miami-Dade Back Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Project
- Modifications to the L-29 Levee component of the Central and Southern Florida Project in the vicinity of the Miccosukee Tribe’s Tigertail camp
Thanks to Chairman Graves, WRDA 2024 will build upon House Republicans' efforts to increase transparency, hold agencies accountable, and reduce bureaucratic red tape while securing access to clean drinking water and preserving the Everglades for future generations." A summary of the bill is available here. Bill Text is available here. ### | 