Congressional Everglades Caucus Co-Chairmen Hastings and Diaz-Balart Introduce Comprehensive Bill

(Washington, DC) Today, Congressmen Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Co-Chairmen of the Congressional Everglades Caucus, introduced the bi-partisan Everglades for the Next Generation Act. The legislation authorizes sorely needed Central Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) projects that are shovel-ready, but have been delayed by Congressional inaction. It also provides the Army Corps of Engineers with the flexibility it needs to avoid Congressional bottlenecking in the future. (Please find attached a copy of the bill). 

 

“Congressional inaction has been a roadblock for far too long despite bi-partisan support for restoration,” said Hastings.  “An awkward state of limbo is not the future Congress had in mind for the Everglades when it passed CERP, and it is not the future that the American people deserve.”

 

“I am committed to getting Everglades restoration back on track, and this Act does just that. By authorizing the next suite of projects, we are helping strengthen Florida’s ecosystem and economy. It is our responsibility to protect and restore the Everglades, and I am proud to work with Congressman Hastings and my other colleagues to ensure this happens,” said Diaz-Balart.