Biden admin moving slow on DeSantis-backed water storage well project
FORT MYERS, Fla. (FLV) – The Biden administration dropped the ball on helping move forward a project for the South Florida Water Management District to support northern storage in Florida.
Part of the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project would increase water storage capacity north of Lake Okeechobee to improve the lake’s water levels.
In turn, the project intends to cut down on algae blooms. The wells are part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
South Florida Water Management District sent a letter in May 2022 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville, certifying that they have the resources ready to move forward with the project.
“The District supports moving forward with the [Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project] for Congressional authorization,” the letter said. “As requested, attached is a certification of financial capability that affirms our ability to satisfy the obligations of the non-federal sponsor upon execution of a Project Partnership agreement.”
“The District is proud to partner with the [U.S. Army Corps of Engineers] Jacksonville District and looks forward to working together with the USACE on this critical component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program.”
The project still needs Congressional approval, which a spokesperson for the South Florida Water Management District said might not happen until 2024 because of a “missed” deadline by the federal government.
“The project requires Congressional authorization, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers missed the deadline to submit the project last year,” Randy Smith with the South Florida Water Management District said.
“We’re working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to advance the project so that it can be authorized by Congress at the next opportunity, which is expected in 2024.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the legislature supported $50 million in 2021 and 2022 to implement the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project.
Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., believed the wells are “definitely necessary” in order to control water flow into Lake Okeechobee.
“And if you do that, you actually create a healthier lake, which helps create a healthier ecosystem,” Donalds said. “So to me it makes total sense why you would do ASR wells.”
Donalds criticized the Biden administration for taking their time to fund projects similar projects.
“He’s actually been slower at funding these projects,” Byron said. “As much as the political left doesn’t like Donald Trump, he was the president that actually took Everglades restoration seriously and was actually funding these projects.”
The congressman explained how it was the cooperation between Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and former President Donald Trump and now DeSantis, that “got Florida moving on water quality and Everglades restoration.”
