This week, Senate Bill 2508 passed the Florida Senate Appropriations Committee.  I appreciate hearing from many Floridians on this issue and welcome the opportunity to clarify what this bill  does for our state and correct misinformation.  This issue is of paramount importance to me, and I would never support any legislation that would -- in any way, shape or form -- harm our environment or impair our citizens' access to clean water.

In recent years, the Florida Legislature has invested millions in the restoration and protection of our water resources, specifically Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. Any time the state invests in agencies, programs and projects, it details in statute how the funding should be spent to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used for its intended purpose.

Senate Bill 2508 does just that. It provides a framework for ensuring that the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) fulfills its statutory responsibilities of flood control, water supply, water quality and natural systems, while implementing large scale ecosystem restoration projects. This bill increases accountability for the millions of dollars that Florida taxpayers have invested and continue to invest in environmental restoration. This bill also ensures that Florida maintains control of Florida’s resources. 

Some claim that this legislation prioritizes water supply over environment and also permits harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee into the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers, and that is false.  Senate Bill 2508 does not permit more harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee.  In fact, the federal government controls the operations of the lake, including when and how much water needs to be discharged from the lake.  Senate Bill 2508 actually confirms current law which provides that the SFWMD must request the Army Corps of Engineers to implement projects designed to reduce high volume freshwater discharges from the lake. 

The main thrust of the bill is how water should be allocated in times of drought. Senate Bill 2508 comprehensively addresses uncertainty when lake levels are low.   In the event of a drought, this legislation aims to ensure water shortages are managed just as they are today in state law by holding the SFWMD accountable to certify that recommendations to the federal government are consistent with current state law, do not reduce the amount of water available for existing permitted users and does not prioritize one use over another.  

Some claim funding to the Everglades Agriculture Area (EAA) Reservoir is cut. I assure you Senate Bill 2508 continues the funding for the massive water projects contained in Senate Bill 10 when it passed the legislature in 2017, including the EAA Reservoir.  The projects included in that landmark legislation, and continued in Senate Bill 2508, include the EAA Reservoir, the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Project, the West Basin Storage Reservoir, and the Indian River Lagoon-South project.   The Legislature has also appropriated funding for additional projects.  The SFWMD operates and maintains all of these projects, and a vast majority of funding for these projects, more than $1.6 billion over five years, come from Florida state taxpayers.  The projects continue under Senate Bill 2508 with greater accountability on SFWMD to fulfill its statutory responsibilities. This year’s budget (and confirmed with Senate Bill 2508) allocates more than $875 million for the following projects:

• Everglades Restoration (C-43 and EAA Reservoir) - $352,623,196
• Lake Okeechobee Watershed Project - $450,000,000
• Northern Everglades and Estuaries Program - $73,276,213

I am seriously concerned and disheartened about the misinterpretation of what Senate Bill 2508 does and I can understand why that is causing alarm.  I spent hours reviewing Senate Bill 2508 and am comfortable it does not do what critics say it does;  however, if in your reading of the bill you have questions or can point out particular provisions that are confusing, please let me know so that I can go to the bill sponsor for clarification.  I want to get this right.  It is critically important that we continue to restore and protect our environment while managing our state’s water resources.  I hope the information provided clarifies the intent of the legislation and why it’s important to the future of our state.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Passidomo

Senate Rules Chair
State Senator, District 28

Not paid for at taxpayer expense.

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