Clawson Introduces Bipartisan Emergency Legislation to Expedite Repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike

Press Release

Continuing in his efforts to bring relief from the massive discharges of nutrient-laden water from Lake Okeechobee, Congressman Curt Clawson (FL-19) today introduced his bipartisan legislation to expedite repairs to the Herbert Hoover Dike by December 31, 2020. In conjunction with Governor Rick Scott's State of Emergency declaration on Friday, Clawson's legislation addresses the ecological and economic disaster at the federal level. Clawson's bill is part of an Everglades legislative package he is putting forth in Congress in the coming days following coordinated meetings with state, local, and federal officials on the necessary actions that can be taken to reduce the discharges from Lake Okeechobee and restore the Everglades. Clawson has long supported the full implementation of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP) and the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP).

Clawson's legislation would set aside $800 million and require the Army Corps of Engineers to complete the urgent repairs needed to the Herbert Hoover Dike by December 31, 2020, a four to six year overall improvement by current estimates. Once these repairs are completed, during future high rain events, more water could be held in Lake Okeechobee and prevent massive discharges of water to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers. The Herbert Hoover Dike is currently classified as almost certain to fail under normal operations within a few years without intervention.

Clawson's legislation has the bipartisan backing of several key members of the Florida delegation, increasing the chances of the bill's passage. Representative Patrick Murphy (FL-18) represents an eastern district of Florida, which includes the mouth of the St. Lucie River. Representative Vern Buchanan (FL-16) serves as co-chair of the Florida congressional delegation. Representative Alcee Hastings (FL-20) serves as co-chair of the Everglades Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives and represents a district that contains much of the Herbert Hoover Dike.

Upon introducing his legislation, Congressman Clawson stated:

"With recent rainfalls in Florida reaching historic levels for this time of year, the Army Corps of Engineers began massive discharges of water from Lake Okeechobee to the east and west. These discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers pollute our waterways, destroy our fragile ecosystems, devastate our tourism economy, and pose an immediate public safety crisis. The pictures of our Gulf waters in Southwest Florida are shocking, and to see it up close, as I do from Bonita Beach, is heartbreaking. I want to thank my good friends and colleagues from the Florida Delegation: including Representative Patrick Murphy, Representative Vern Buchanan, and Representative Alcee Hastings, for joining me in introducing this bipartisan legislation to provide one of the long-term solutions aimed at reducing the massive discharges from Lake Okeechobee. While this is a big step forward, there are many other pieces to the long-term solution for improving water quality in Southwest Florida that all of us in elected office will continue to push."

Representative Patrick Murphy (FL-18) added:

"For decades the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers have suffered from damaging discharges from Lake Okeechobee, and unfortunately this year is no different. Our waterways are in crisis and require immediate action. That is why I am joining with my good friend and colleague Congressman Curt Clawson to demand that the federal government make it a national priority to repair the Herbert Hoover Dike surrounding the lake by providing emergency funding to expedite its completion," said Rep. Murphy. "By increasing the water storage capacity within the lake, we can reduce the need for these harmful discharges to the east and the west as we continue pushing forward long-term solutions to restore the natural southward flow of the Everglades. By working together -- across the aisle and the state -- we will make our voices heard in this fight to protect our waterways."

Representative Vern Buchanan (FL-16), co-chair of the Florida congressional delegation, stated:

"I place a high priority on guarding Florida's waterways and preserving the Sunshine State's pristine coastline. I'm concerned that the situation on Lake Okeechobee is choking off the growth of aquatic plants and affecting iconic animals such as the manatee. That's why I'm proud to support this bipartisan legislation that will expedite the repair of the historic Herbert Hoover Dike."

Representative Alcee Hastings, (FL-20), co-chair of the Everglades Caucus, stated:

"Discharge from Lake Okeechobee has caused significant damage to our region over the decades. Polluted runoff damages ecosystems, hurts local businesses, and threatens the health and livelihoods of thousands of residents. This issue is nothing new, and it is time for the federal government to step in and address it once and for all," said Hastings. "After heavy rainfalls this year, seepage into our waterways has had a devastating effect. I am pleased to join with my colleagues, Representatives Patrick Murphy, Curt Clawson, and Vern Buchanan, who have put forward this bipartisan legislation to expedite repairs and increase storage capacity of the Lake. The situation is becoming dire and we cannot afford to put off making these crucial repairs."

Lastly, in adding their support to Congressman Clawson's legislation, Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg said, "We applaud Congressman Clawson for addressing the hardening of the Herbert Hoover Dike. We are grateful for his continued leadership on Everglades issues."