PROTECT Florida Act
Sponsored By: Representative Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21]
In Committee
Summary
Prioritizes public health over other water project goals in Central and Southern Florida operations. This bill would require the Secretary of the Army to manage Lake Okeechobee and the Central and Southern Florida water system to minimize toxic cyanobacteria, protect the Herbert Hoover Dike, and ensure water quality and flows reach downstream users and restoration areas.
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- Families and downstream users: Would aim to reduce toxic algal blooms and prevent discharges containing cyanobacteria or related toxins into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee watersheds, improving public health and recreational water safety.
- Tribes, parks, and the Everglades: Would require necessary water volume and quality to reach tribal lands, Everglades National Park, Florida Bay, and the greater Everglades to support habitat restoration.
- Operations and planning: Would direct the Secretary to overlay public health considerations across the six authorized Central and Southern Florida project purposes, update or create a Master Operational Manual with the State of Florida, and commission a National Academies study of legacy pollution and soil amendments to propose remedies.
- Funding and treatment rules: Authorizes such sums as are necessary to implement the Act and bars using restoration funds for deep well injection of excess or flood waters.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Open-ended funding for Florida water fixes
This bill would let Congress provide "such sums as are necessary" to carry out the Act. There would be no set dollar cap. If Congress later approves funds, agencies could use them to implement the plan and studies.
Put public health first in Florida water operations
This bill would require the Army Corps to run Central and South Florida water projects with public health as the top guide. It would aim to cut toxic algae and avoid sending polluted water to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee watersheds. It would protect the Herbert Hoover Dike and ensure clean water reaches the Everglades and tribal lands. The Corps would update a Master Operational Manual with Florida. It would also bar using restoration funds for deep well injection of excess water. It would not change tribal compacts, existing state or tribal water standards, permits, or project schedules.
Study legacy pollution in Florida waters
This bill would have the Army, with the National Academies, study old pollution and nutrient loading. The study would review soil changes and how they affect Everglades restoration. It would propose fixes to reduce harm to downstream waters. Work would begin after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Mast, Brian J. [R-FL-21]
FL • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov