MARCO RUBIO COMMITTEES.
APPROPRIATIONS

FOREIGN RELATIONS

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SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
DC 20510 SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON AGING

July 8, 2018

President Donald Trump

The White House

1600 Avenue, NW
Washington, DC. 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As you know, earlier this week the US. Army Corps of Engineers released its ?Long
Term Disaster Recovery Investment Plan? to fund critical ?ood protection projects in states
impacted by the 2017 hurricanes and other disasters as mandated by the Bipartisan Budget Act of
2018. Of signi?cant interest to Florida was more than $514 million in funding to expedite the
completion of the Herbert Hoover Dike Rehabilitation that 1 have long championed. These funds
will be instrumental to provide Floridians living along the edge of Lake Okeechobee the security
and peace of mind to know that their loved ones, homes, and businesses are no longer threatened
by the high potential for the dike?s catastrophic failure. However, even as the small cities and
towns in the Herbert Hoover Dike?s shadow now have reason for hope, coastal communities on
the St. Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, and the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary face another
nightmarish summer of poor water quality and algae stoked by the Lake Okeechobee discharges.

For the third time in ?ve years, harmful algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee, coupled with
the water management practices of the US. Army Corps of Engineers, serve as a major cause for
concern for residents. While the completed rehabilitation of the
dike could potentially allow the Corps to adjust the Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule
(LORS) that determines when and how discharges are conducted, these communities are
desperate for immediate relief. Along with ?pulsing? submaximal discharge ?ows, loosening the
Corps? rigid implementation of the current LORS is one possible measure that could improve
conditions and quickly signal to residents that their federal government is
responsive to their needs and concerns. The Corps should work closely with the State of Florida
to balance the risks of destructive discharges on communities with the Corps? other
responsibilities and authorities in managing Lake Okeechobee water levels.

I respectfully urge you to use your authority to order the US. Army Corps of Engineers
to immediately include the impacts of harmful algal blooms and poor water quality on
communities and ecosystems as a major factor for consideration when planning and
conducting Lake Okeechobee discharges. This should include an emergency re-evaluation of the
?ows currently entering the Caloosahatchee River and the reconsideration of the decision to once
again begin discharging ?ows to the St. Lucie River tomorrow.

I also request that you increase the federal investment for Everglades restoration
infrastructure through your ?scal year (FY) 2020 budget request by at least twice the amount

provided in FY19. These overdue federal funds can accelerate design and construction of the
Central Everglades Planning Project and the Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir to
clean and divert discharges through the Everglades and Florida Bay instead. Increased funding
could also advance important water storage and treatment features of the Caloosahatchee River
(C-43) West Basin Storage Reservoir, Indian River Lagoon-South, and Lake Okeechobee
Watershed Restoration projects that can further enhance coastal water quality for the bene?t of
coastal communities by reducing the combined impacts of Lake Okeechobee

discharges, stormwater and nutrient runoff, and septic tank leaks.

Perhaps more than any of your predecessors in the Oval Of?ce, you personally
understand the economic importance of maintaining Florida?s alluring coastal resources.
Together, these suggested actions would immediately demonstrate a renewed commitment by the
federal government to its responsibilities and to its citizenry in Florida. I stand ready to assist
you in addressing this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

Marco Rubio
US. Senator