Rubio Discusses Lake Okeechobee Discharges, Algae Blooms

Boca Raton, FL – Today, at approximately 6:30 p.m. EDT, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) will speak on the Senate floor on the algae bloom caused by discharges from Lake Okeechobee.

Earlier today, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approved the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) Post-Authorization Change Report (PACR) to reduce harmful Lake Okeechobee discharges by constructing the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir to store, treat, and move more water south to the Everglades. The approval came afterRubio’s urging in June.

Following Rubio’s request to President Trump, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers delayed yesterday’s scheduled discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie River. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Rubio wasinstrumental in securing the funding the Army Corps will use to implement its Long Term Disaster Recovery Investment Plan, as well as measures to protect Lake Okeechobee communities and restore the Everglades.

Rubio’s remarks on the Senate floor will be broadcast on C-SPAN 2 and the U.S. Senate’s official website.