North Miami-Dade News

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, representing Florida's 26th district and serving as the Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Everglades Caucus, has expressed his support following the passage of S.4367, known as the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024. The legislation is designed to enhance water and infrastructure projects across the United States.

Diaz-Balart highlighted that "under the leadership of Speaker Johnson and Chairman Graves, WRDA 2024 legislation pushes the envelope further with the United States Army Corp of Engineers to ensure a timely and cost-effective project delivery for water and infrastructure projects across the country." He emphasized that over eight million Floridians depend on drinking water sourced from Everglades National Park.

The WRDA 2024 includes several key authorizations aimed at supporting restoration efforts in South Florida. These include project authorization for both the Western Everglades Restoration Project and Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Phase I Project. Additionally, there is bill language concerning Cape Sable Seaside Sparrows.

Further project authorizations under WRDA 2024 for South Florida involve hurricane and storm damage risk reduction measures for Miami-Dade Back Bay Coastal Storm Risk Management Project, as well as modifications to the L-29 Levee component near the Miccosukee Tribe’s Tigertail camp within the Central and Southern Florida Project.

Diaz-Balart acknowledged Chairman Graves' role in ensuring that "WRDA 2024 will build upon House Republicans' efforts to increase transparency, hold agencies accountable, and reduce bureaucratic red tape while securing access to clean drinking water and preserving the Everglades for future generations."