FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 28, 2013
GOV. SCOTT ANNOUNCES $90 M COMMITMENT FOR TAMIAMI TRAIL PROJECT
~Major Project Will Direct Water South to Protect Regional Estuaries~
FT. MYERS–Today,
Governor Rick Scott announced a $90 million state commitment for the bridging
of a 2.6 mile segment of Tamiami Trail road in South Florida. The project would
deconstruct a section of the berm that Tamiami Trail road is currently built
on, and replace it with a bridge so that water north of the road could flow
into the Everglades, providing needed water to the Everglades National Park.
The end effect would be to keep more high nutrient water from entering the
Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Estuaries.
Governor
Scott said, “This $90 million investment will be a huge step forward in our
efforts to restore water quality throughout South Florida. Every drop of water
that we can send South and keep out of the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie
Estuaries is a win for Florida families. My message to families being impacted
is that we will not give up on you. We are putting forward strategies each and
every day to address the water quality issues that are impacting families in
our state.”
Today’s
setup of the Tamiami Trail inhibits water flow, which forces more storm water
runoff to drain from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie
estuaries, instead of flowing South through the Everglades. By constructing an
additional bridge, more water will be able to flow
naturally through the Everglades, which will keep nutrient rich water out of
the estuaries.
The
total cost of 2.6 miles of bridging is estimated to be $180 million. The State
of Florida will make a commitment to match federal funds for this project, up
to $30 million/year over three years or $90 million total from the Florida
Department of Transportation (FDOT) work plan. One of the most critical components
of Everglades restoration is increasing water flow under Tamiami Trail into
Everglades National Park.
The
ultimate completion of the project will provide numerous benefit to the region,
including:
-
Passing
an additional 215,000 acre/feet of water from the northern part of the system,
including Lake Okeechobee, to the south;
-
Aiding
in the reestablishment of historical seasonal water depths and flooding
durations that are critical to the survival of many fish and wildlife
species;
- Allowing
water managers additional flexibility to deal with regional and system wide
flood protection; and
-
Providing
water managers flexibility in addressing Lake Okeechobee seasonal high water
levels.
Senator
Lizbeth Benacquisto, “I want to applaud Governor Scott for focusing on the
things that are important to Southwest Floridians. This commitment is a great
step towards improving the water issues that face the Caloosahatchee River and
the State as a whole. By raising Tamiami Trail we will be able to remove the
constraints on water that is moving south.
The
SFWMD is taking emergency action to store excess water on public and private
lands and this fall the SFWMD will begin work on a $16 million project at Lake
Hicpochee, to help control flows into the Caloosahatchee.
Senator
Lizbeth Benacquisto also said, “Additionally, the state and the South Florida
Water Management District have fully funded a $16.5 million shallow reservoir
and restoration project on Lake Hicpochee that will capture and store water out
if the C-43 canal. These combined efforts will allow more water to be captured
and flow to the South, rather than to the Caloosahatchee, which we have seen is
problematic for our estuary and our way of life."
Senator
Joe Negron said, “Governor Scott is working diligently to make sure the
Everglades are protected and restored. Last week I was proud to stand by him as
he committed $40 million dollars to speed up the completion of the C-44 Storm
Water Treatment Area project in Martin County. Today, I am also excited to
support his $90 million commitment to bridge 2.6 miles of the Tamiami Trail in
Southwest Florida. With the dedication to the environment that Governor Scott
has shown, many future generations of Floridians will be able to enjoy
Florida’s Everglades.”
Senator
Garrett Richter said, “Governor Scott demonstrated today that he’s committed to
the long term protection of our community. The Tamiami Trail project means the
world to families in South Florida, and it takes real leadership to get the
ball rolling on such an important project. The Governor’s $90 million
commitment means we’ll take incredible leaps forward in restoring water quality
in South Florida and I look forward to its completion.”
Representative
Matt Caldwell, Chair of the Lee County Delegation, said, “Businesses across our
region have experienced the harmful effects of the high nutrient waters of Lake
Okeechobee. Unless we take drastic steps forward, communities year-after-year
will continue to be impacted during the rainy seasons. That’s why today’s
announcement by Governor Scott is so important. We must reengineer water
infrastructure in this state in order to restore the Everglades and protect our
estuaries. The Governor’s $90 million commitment is a huge piece in the
endeavor, and I want to thank him and his entire Administration for taking
water quality issues seriously.”
Representative
Dane Eagle said, “The ultimate completion of the Tamiami Trail projects will be
a game changer for water quality in South Florida. By Governor Scott taking
steps forward in completing another major segment, Florida is becoming more
proactive in its efforts to create a more sustainable environment for future
generations. With this $90 million investment, we’re not only committing to
restoring water quality, but we’re supporting Florida’s future economic
strength.”
Representative
Heather Dawes Fitzenhagen said, “I want to thank Governor Scott for his support
of area families. While this season’s rains have been extraordinarily tough on
our region, the issues plaguing the Caloosahatchee deserve a long term focus
from leaders in Tallahassee and Washington. With the Governor’s $90 million
commitment for the Tamiami Trail, he’s demonstrated he’s focused fully on
solving our region’s water quality issues.”
Representative
Matt Hudson said, “Adding additional bridge space to the Tamiami Trail will do
a lot to keep nutrient rich water out of our communities. Every drop of water
we send south is another drop that doesn’t make its way to our shores, which
benefits our people and economy. The Governor has clearly demonstrated that
water quality issues are a priority and his decision will positively impact our
region in years to come.”
Representative
Kathleen Passidomo said, ““I stand with Governor Scott in committing $90
million dollars to help bridge the Tamiami Trail. By allowing additional water
flow throughout the South Florida we are not only protecting the Everglades
today, but we are restoring and preserving it for future generations of
Floridians.”
Representative
Ray Rodrigues said, “This $90 million means everything to families in South
Florida. By moving more water South, instead of East and West, we’ll keep more
high nutrient water from impacting our communities, which is critical to
families and jobs in the region.”
“The
Governor’s commitment to fund the additional critical bridging work needed to
increase the water flow south will help provide relief for Florida Families,”
said Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard Jr. “This illustrates the importance of
taking accelerated steps necessary to get the water right.”
FDOT
Secretary Ananth Prasad said, “This is a critical project for Everglades
restoration and is long overdue. I am grateful for Governor Scott’s leadership
for bringing FDOT to the table.”
Current
Caloosahatchee Actions
The
Governor said, “In addition to our long term investments, we’re working with
the water management district and local partners to take aggressive action on
both coasts to mitigate the harmful impacts to families.”
In
addition, the Governor’s Florida Families First budget invested $3
million to create an innovative wetland treatment system in Hendry County that
cleans water flowing through the Caloosahatchee River.
Governor
Scott said, “In addition to these measures by the state, we need the federal
government to step up and authorize the C-43 project in Hendry County. This
project will help keep storm runoff from impacting the Caloosahatchee and we
need Congress to act.”
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