Florida agencies and entire D.C. delegation urge federal fix for vital hurricane projects ‘at risk’

WASHINGTON D.C. – Florida state agencies penned a letter Friday criticizing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for “changes in interpretation” of its policies regarding critical hurricane preparedness projects – which are now “at risk.”

“These changes, which are not in line with federal statute and clear congressional intent, undermine and invalidate many previously approved projects,” the letter said. “Despite the so-called easement ‘anomalies’ cited by the USACE, these projects were lawfully constructed and are overdue for maintenance to meet their designed flood protection profile.”

The letter also emphasized stalled projects were “shifting very real, life-threatening flood risk onto Floridians” in effort to decrease the USACE’s self-interested “policy risks.”

Members writing to Assistant Secretary of the Army Michael Connor requesting his intervention included Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie and and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Shawn Hamilton.

The letter also included Chief Resilience Officer Wesley Brooks, Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue, Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly, Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Roger Young, and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie Griffin.

Among their concerns, officials pointed to beach and dune renourishment as critical projects in protecting Florida’s coastline. Specifically, the projects’ aims are to “protect infrastructure to better withstand coastal storms while also providing critical habitat for rare and endangered species found nowhere else.”

Beach nourishment also has been refurbished for $600 million by the state under Gov. Ron DeSantis since 2019. Moreover, the state has funneled $1.2 billion in Resilient Florida projects to reduce the “impacts of flooding and storm surge” amid a growing population, economic boom and increased visitation.

“Florida is a low-lying coastal state prone to hurricanes and severe weather. This is not an new issue but rather a critical fact of Florida’s geography and topography. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen and fortify our beaches, infrastructure, and homes to ensure thriving communities and maintain our state’s economic competitiveness,” the letter said.

The letter noted how there are 33 federal Hurricane and Coastal Storm Damage Risk Reduction projects specializing in beach and shore protection authorized by Congress, which all are monitored by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers.

“Continuing to administratively deny project construction and maintenance as authorized and funded by Congress, including under Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies disaster authorities, goes against the USACE’s mission and responsibilities and seems to prioritize the decisions of an unelected and unresponsive bureaucracy over the powers outlined in Article I of the Constitution,” the letter said.

In response, agency officials emphasized Florida’s congressional delegation was in the process of drafting legislation within the Water Resources Development Act to “ensure the agency fulfills its obligations under previously signed and executed project construction agreements.”

The group also noted any legislative efforts would not effect projects now or in the future. Florida’s entire congressional delegation combined also sent out two letters on Friday to congressional leadership urging the “issues” are resolved.

“Until this critical issue is appropriately resolved, Florida is poised to seek accountability from the
USACE for the resultant loss of life and property in areas where the protective features of these
federally-authorized projects have eroded due to bureaucratic inefficiencies and dereliction of duty,” the letter from Florida said.