ICYMI: Diaz-Balart Applauds Governor DeSantis and Trump Administration Efforts to Expedite Everglades Restoration

Southern Florida –– Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Dean of the Florida Delegation, and Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Everglades Caucus, applauds the recent announcements by Governor DeSantis and the Trump Administration to accelerate and complete a key component to one of the most significant environmental restoration efforts in U.S. History.

Last month, Governor DeSantis announced the completion of the C-43 Reservoir and the new memorandum of agreement with the Trump Administration’s U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to expedite the completion of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir. 

"Throughout my public service career, I have remained steadfast in my dedication to restoring and preserving America's Everglades. Governor DeSantis' recent announcements build on the groundwork I laid over the years. As I have consistently worked to cut bureaucratic red tape across federal agencies, I applaud Governor DeSantis for leading the State of Florida in negotiating a crucial agreement with the Corps to accelerate a monumental project within the Central Everglades Restoration Plan; this project is essential for protecting the drinking water of over 9 million Floridians.

With President Trump at the helm, and Florida's strong leadership committed to restoring the Everglades, I look forward to advancing President Trump’s America First vision. This includes securing $461 million for Everglades Restoration in the FY26 Energy & Water House Appropriations bill, passed by the Committee on July 17th, which exceeds the $446 million requested—the largest presidential budget request in U.S. history for Everglades Restoration."

Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir Completion Background:

• Caloosahatchee (C-43) Reservoir is a 10,000-acre reservoir that will improve water quality, protect coastal ecosystems, and expand Florida’s water storage capacity.
   
• The C-43 Reservoir pump station, capable of moving 650,000 gallons per minute, is now fully operational.
   
• Diaz-Balart played a vital rolein 2014 to secure the authorization of the C-43 Reservoir with the passage of H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014.
   
• Diaz-Balart, as Vice-Chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, has continued to secure billions of federal dollars for Everglades Restoration, and continues to reiterate to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers the urgency of expediting completion, transparency, and remaining cost-effective while restoring and preserving America’s Everglades.

EAA Reservoir Background:
 

• The EEA Reservoir Project includes an above-ground water storage reservoir, a constructed wetland known as an STA to improve water quality, and capacity improvements to local canals.
   
• Located between Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades, the EAA Reservoir Project will also help recreate the historic flow of water south to recharge our aquifers, nourish the Everglades, and support the health of Florida Bay.
   
• Diaz-Balart played an instrumental rolein 2018 to secure the authorization of the EAA Reservoir with the passage of S.3021, America’s Water and Infrastructure Act of 2018.
   
• Diaz-Balart, as a Senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee, secured in FY2019 Energy & Water Appropriation bill, $67.5M for South Florida Ecosystem Restoration, which includes critical federal dollars for the EAA Reservoir. 
   
• President Trump requested $446M for Everglades Restoration in the 2026 Presidential Budget- the largest request in Presidential History for Everglades Restoration.
   
• Diaz-Balart, as Vice-Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, included $461M for Everglades Restoration for FY26 Committee-Passed Energy & Water Appropriations bill.

• This agreement will:

  • Accelerate the EAA Reservoir’s construction timeline by five years, from 2034 to 2029.
  • Store over 78 billion gallons of water.
  • Deliver 270–470 billion gallons of clean water annually to the Everglades and Biscayne Aquifer, aiding freshwater inflows to Florida Bay.
  • The State of Florida will handle the construction of inflow and outflow pump stations and work on the Blue Shanty Flow Way, while the Army Corps maintains oversight of the main reservoir.

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