Gov. Rick Scott has committed $40 million to speed up completion of a storm water treatment project which will clean diverted water from Lake Okeechobee and storm water runoff year-round.
Scott, who made the announcement Tuesday, also called on the federal government to meet its obligations in maintaining the federally operated Lake Okeechobee dike system and fulfilling its cost-share obligations to the State of Florida for environmental projects.
“We’re here because the Corps [Army Corps of Engineers] is not maintaining the Lake Okeechobee dike system and they’re not fulfilling their financial commitment to Florida,” said Scott. “Florida families are paying the price for federal inaction. Despite federal inaction, we are speeding up solutions because Florida’s families and the environment can’t wait any longer.”
Scott said, the State of Florida has invested $2.5 billion in South Florida environmental projects, while the federal government, which agreed to a 50-50 cost share, is approximately $1.6 billion behind in funding for projects.
The $40 million will be including in the upcoming fiscal year budget, Scott said.
