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New Laws Support Water Quality & Fisheries

January 9, 2025
Preserving Paradise Fishing Day

Two critical pieces of environmental legislation became law this month following the President’s signature in early January.

1. The Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA ’24), which is enacted by congress every two years to authorize water projects and related research activities across the U.S.

WRDA ’24 benefits Southwest Florida in multiple important ways:

  • Contains language deeming the Caloosahatchee River a focus area relating to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
  • Language to expand the HAB Demonstration Program to include the Lake Okeechobee Watershed, which will reduce nutrient flow from above Lake Okeechobee.
  • Expedites completion of the Lake Okeechobee Watershed Restoration project, which will increase capacity in our watershed and improve the quantity and timing of discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Estuaries. 
  • Expedites completion of the Western Everglades Restoration Project, an essential Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) project for rehydrating and re-connecting the greater Everglades ecosystem so we can send more clean water south. 

2. The Fishery Improvement to Streamline untimely regulatory Hurdles post Emergency Situation (FISHES) Act, which expedites disaster relief funds to fisheries workers. This law is especially relevant to Southwest Florida, where many workers were still waiting on Hurricane Ian relief more than two years later. 

“SCCF is excited to celebrate the passage of these two bills. Our staff worked closely with partners to support and advocate for the passage of WRDA ’24, and helped provide important analysis to Rep. Byron Donalds and his staff on the FISHES Act,” said Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis. “With the passage of these bills, we have made great strides toward protecting our coastal ecosystems around Southwest Florida, as well as the responsible fisheries communities that rely on clean water and a healthy environment.”

In addition, President Biden also protected 625 million acres of ocean from new offshore oil and gas development — including the eastern portion of the Gulf of Mexico. SCCF supports the new ban, which is an important move to ensure we are protecting our marine ecosystems from potential future harm.

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