U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) sent a letter Friday to Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle, requesting federal funding to repair and restore the damaged south jetty in Venice, Florida.
Steube requested that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers include necessary reconstruction funds in its FY27 Work Plan, referencing alignment with recommendations in an upcoming Major Maintenance Report.
The south jetty sustained severe damage during the 2024 hurricane season. According to the lawmaker, the structure requires substantial reconstruction and rehabilitation to restore standard operations.
In the letter, Steube emphasized the jetty’s role in local navigation, safety, and commerce.
“The Venice jetty performs critical navigational and safety functions for the communities surrounding the jetty,” Steube wrote. “Serving as one of the only access points to the Gulf of America for several miles in each direction, repairing the structure is essential to restoring safe passage for first responders, vessel operators, and all who rely on access to the Intracoastal Waterway.”
Steube added that continued deterioration poses ongoing safety risks while threatening local business activity.
“Furthermore, the jetty is a vital economic and recreational asset for the City of Venice, Sarasota County, and the broader Southwest Florida region,” Steube wrote. “Continued absence of a vital economic magnet would prove to be detrimental for the surrounding community, and full restoration is crucial in maintaining the region’s economic resilience.”
Steube represents Florida’s 17th Congressional District, which includes Sarasota County and portions of Southwest Florida. The Army Corps of Engineers manages federal water resources projects, including navigation and shoreline maintenance.
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