Florida’s U.S. Senators Rick Scott and Ashley Moody Friday urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to prioritize critical projects throughout the state as the agency finalizes its Fiscal Year 2025 Work Plan, which allocates previously appropriated federal funds.
In a letter sent to Acting Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, D. Lee Forsgren, the senators emphasized the importance of both ongoing and upcoming projects for Florida’s communities, economy, and resilience.
“As you shape the planning and selection process for fiscal year 2025 projects, we urge you to give full and fair consideration to both ongoing and proposed projects in Florida, recognizing their importance to local communities, our state, and the nation as a whole,” the senators wrote.
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A key focus of their request is the acceleration of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Senators Scott and Moody specifically asked the USACE to direct a significant portion of funds to expedite CERP construction, particularly within the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration (SFER) program. They advocated for the continued use of incremental funding authority to speed up these projects and potentially reduce overall program costs.
The senators also addressed delays plaguing critical storm risk management projects. They pointed to the USACE’s interpretation of Section 103 of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1986 regarding shoreline easements as a cause for these delays, stating they do not support this interpretation which exists “outside of clear Congressional direction.”
They highlighted that the recently passed WRDA 2024 provided clear statutory direction allowing coastal storm risk management projects to be completed despite the agency’s policy.
The lawmakers urged the Army Corps to revisit its WRDA 1986 interpretation and issue updated guidance that permits the use of Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (FCCE) funds to restore hurricane protection project footprints.
The letter outlined a comprehensive list of projects throughout Florida that the senators specifically support for funding to ensure “meaningful and sustained progress toward completion.”
This list includes various shore protection projects (like those in Brevard, Broward, Collier, Dade, Duval, Flagler, Lee, Martin, and Palm Beach counties), flood risk management studies (such as East Lake Tohopekaliga and Lake Conway), ecosystem restoration efforts (including numerous CERP components, Kissimmee River, and Northern Estuaries), navigation projects (Jacksonville Harbor, Miami Harbor, Port Tampa Bay), and critical water and wastewater infrastructure projects authorized under recent WRDA legislation in multiple counties and cities.
The senators expressed their commitment to working closely with the Acting Assistant Secretary’s office and various USACE divisions and districts to ensure adequate funding for studies, engineering, design, and construction where needed across the state.
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