FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 26, 2016
DEP'S DAILY UPDATE ON LAKE OKEECHOBEE
~Gov. Scott declares State of Emergency in Lee, Martin and St. Lucie counties~
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott
signed Executive Order 16-59 which declares a State of Emergency in Lee, Martin and St. Lucie counties following heavy rainfall which
has resulted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers frequently discharging water
from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries. This is a
result of inadequate funding by the federal government. Governor Scott
also today called on the Obama Administration to fully fund the more than $800
million in needed repairs to the federally operated Herbert Hoover Dike which
would safely hold water to prevent these discharges. To date, the State of
Florida has invested $880 million more than the federal government is required
to provide for clean water to the Everglades. To view the Executive Order,
click HERE.
Governor Rick Scott said, “The negative effects of flood waters
and harm to wildlife we are currently witnessing in these counties is only the
beginning if the President doesn’t fund the more than $800 million in needed
repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike. Our communities are in imminent danger of
prolonged flooding and environmental devastation if the dike is ever
compromised. Not only is the well-being and health of
our families at risk if the Obama Administration doesn’t immediately begin
funding repairs to their federally operated dike, but our housing market,
tourism industry and agricultural community will fail if the dike is not
repaired and properly maintained.
“We need President Obama to get engaged immediately on this issue
and fully fund the needed repairs to their dike so massive U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers’ discharges are no longer needed. With heavy rainfall and
record discharges, we have no choice but to declare a State of Emergency in
these counties today and hope President Obama will pay attention to this
crisis.”
The State of Florida has invested nearly $2 billion in the
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and $1.8 billion in providing
clean water to the Everglades. Governor Scott’s 2016-2017 Florida First budget
includes an additional $5 billion dollars over the next 20 years to
substantially complete the CERP and ensure that clean water is sent to the
Everglades.
Since the CERP was passed in 1999, the State of Florida has
invested $880 million more than the federal government on implementing the
50/50 cost-share plan. This funding, in addition to the $800 million
needed for the Herbert Hoover Dike repairs plus the $5 billion contained in
Governor Scott’s Florida First budget, means the federal government needs to
invest $6.7 billion to keep up with Florida’s commitment to the greater
Everglades ecosystem over the next 20 years. President Obama only asked for
$155.5 million next year, less than half of what the federal government should
be investing annually.
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