Water Resources Act Will Benefit Florida Economy

Washington, DC, May 20, 2014
Earlier today, the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, with about $3 billion of the $18 billion total package dedicated to significantly boosting Florida's economy. The overwhelming 412-4 bipartisan House vote sends WRRDA to the Senate for their approval later this week and then to President Obama for his signature.
Earlier today, the House of Representatives passed the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, with about $3 billion of the $18 billion total package dedicated to significantly boosting Florida’s economy. The overwhelming 412-4 bipartisan House vote sends WRRDA to the Senate for their approval later this week and then to President Obama for his signature.
Specifically, WRRDA contains federal authorization for nine water infrastructure and restoration projects in Florida, including the Broward County Water Preserve Area, a component of the larger Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and located in the district of U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23). “Restoring the ‘River of Grass’ is a priority of all Floridians, and I am proud that this legislation authorizes four new components of that federal-state effort.  While I wish the Central Everglades Planning Project planning was completed so it could have been included in this bill, the other projects will allow Everglades restoration to move forward without interruption, said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.
“Sometimes bipartisanship does prevail in Washington, and today’s WRRDA vote is a testament to the fact that our water infrastructure is important to us all,” continued Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “Like me, many of my colleagues looked at what this bill would mean for their constituents and their local and state economies and determined that by making these investments we can strengthen our water transportation networks to promote competitiveness, prosperity, and economic growth.” 
Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz has been a longtime proponent of passing WRRDA as a way to create jobs and bolster the economy in South Florida, including Port Everglades. “In so many respects, Florida is an economic gateway to, from, and within the U.S., and this funding will better prepare the state to participate in the global economy,” said Wasserman Schultz. 
To that end, the bill also includes “pre-funding” language that will allow Port Everglades to move forward with its port expansion plan without having to wait for the next WRRDA bill, once the Army Corps finalizes its economic study. 
The WRRDA conference report also sets in motion major reforms for both efficiency and transparency.  WRRDA streamlines the project delivery process and promotes fiscal responsibility, by requiring federal, state and local governments to all have some financial “skin in the game.” It also makes major reforms to increase transparency, accountability, and Congressional oversight in reviewing and prioritizing future water resources development activities.
More information about WRRDA can be found here.
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