The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have passed the America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (S. 3021), which incorporates the biennial Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). This legislation is a major victory for Florida’s waters and anglers, as it includes authorization of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Storage Reservoir project, an expedited review of Lake Okeechobee levels, restoration of the Kissimmee River, and the development of a Harmful Algal Bloom technology program. All of these components are essential to improving South Florida’s water quality.
Kellie Ralston, Southeast Fisheries policy director of the American Sportfishing Association, expressed her gratitude to those who contacted their representatives to support WRDA. She also noted that the organization will continue to work with Congress to ensure that sufficient funding is available to carry out the Act’s provisions. Gary Jennings, director of Keep Florida Fishing, added that this bipartisan compromise will significantly advance the mission of Keep Florida Fishing to ensure anglers have clean waters and abundant fisheries. The bill now awaits the President’s signature.
