News

Latest News

Rubio Welcomes Key Step Forward On Central Everglades Planning Project

Apr 28, 2016 | Press Releases

Key Senate committee approves vital restoration project 

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) welcomed today’s Senate Environment & Public Works Committee passage of the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) as part of S.2848, the 2016 Water Resources Development Act. The committee’s support marks the most significant action taken to date to authorize this important Everglades restoration project. The full Senate is expected to consider this legislation later this year.

“The long term answer to ending the environmental and economic disaster transpiring throughout South Florida’s waterways is to pass the Central Everglades Planning Project,” said Rubio. “With a key Senate committee passed the Central Everglades Planning Project today, an important step has been taken to make this a reality.

“This committee action is the most significant step that’s been taken to date to authorize this important Everglades restoration project,” added Rubio. “I thank Chairman Jim Inhofe for his support of this project, and I urge the full Senate to come together soon to get the Central Everglades Planning Project across the finish line and to the President’s desk before the end of the year,” Rubio concluded.

BACKGROUND:

Because of Rubio’s advocacy efforts, the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) was included in S.2848, the 2016 Water Resources Development Act, which passed today in the Senate’s Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. Passing in committee is the farthest along in the legislative process that the CEPP has been since it was first proposed by the Army Corps of Engineers.  

See a timeline of Rubio’s push for CEPP and other water management projects here.

Read more about the latest effort by Rubio to provide disaster relief for Florida businesses affected by Lake Okeechobee discharges here.