Rep. Diaz-Balart Celebrates Completion of the Picayune Strand Restoration Project Following Years of Leadership on Everglades Restoration

Collier County, FL - Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Everglades Caucus and Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, joined federal, state, and local leaders today to celebrate the completion of the Picayune Strand Restoration Project, the first Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP) to begin construction and one of the largest wetland restoration efforts.

The Picayune Strand Restoration Project will restore natural water flows over an 85-square-mile area(~55,000 acres) in western Collier County, improving the area's hydrology, allowing for the return of more balanced plant communities, increasing aquifer recharge, and sending fresh water to the coastal estuaries in a more natural manner.

"Today's completion of the Picayune Strand Restoration Project marks a major milestone in my years-long efforts to restore America's Everglades, which I'm proud to play a huge part in.

This project returns more than 55,000 acres of land to its natural splendor and improves over 70,000 acres of uplands and wetlands being improved as habitat for Florida's native wildlife. It is a powerful example of what consistent federal leadership and collaboration with state and local partners can achieve, demonstrating that large-scale ecosystem restoration is possible.

I would like to thank Colonel Brandon Bowman, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District, Adam Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Drew Bartlett, Executive Director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Rob Moher, Executive Director of the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, and Eric Eikenberg, President and CEO, The Everglades Foundation, for their partnership in advancing this project.

As founder and co-chair of the Everglades Caucus and Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue my work in Congress to deliver critical funding and support needed to restore and protect this vital ecosystem."

Background

Picayune Strand - 2011

Congress authorized the Picayune Strand Restoration Project in 2007 as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP).

The South Florida Water Management District expedited construction by filling in and plugging seven miles of the Prairie Canal and completing approximately 25 percent of the road removal.

The Picayune Strand Restoration Project will restore natural water flows over an 85-square-mile area (~55,000 acres).

The project will improve the area's hydrology, allow for the return of more balanced plant communities, increase aquifer recharge, and send fresh water in a more natural manner to the coastal estuaries.

Díaz-Balart has consistently supported Everglades restoration efforts through his work on federal appropriations, helping advance key projects that strengthen Florida's ecosystems and protect vital natural resources.

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