WASHINGTON, DC – Today Congress gave the go ahead to two major South Florida infrastructure projects with passage of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act of 2016. The Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) and Port Everglades expansion were both authorized for federal funding after years of advocacy. 
 
“This legislation is a big win for South Florida. Both these projects will boost South Florida's economy and most importantly CEPP continues efforts to keep our drinking water plentiful and clean,” said Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22), a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that produced the bill. 
 
CEPP is major step forward for the restoration of the flow of the Everglades, the home to extraordinary natural habitat and storage for the water supply of seven million Floridians and visitors. It is a $2 billion series of engineering projects that will direct water south from Lake Okeechobee into Central Everglades, keeping the drinking water in South Florida safe and plentiful, and minimizing future algae outbreaks like those in the Treasure Coast last year.  
 
Port Everglades, one of Florida's most important ports will be allowed to expand so that it may accept large post Panamax ships into its harbor. Expansion is expected to create thousands of new, good-paying jobs, with a half-billion dollar economic impact in South Florida. 
 
WIIN authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to proceed on water infrastructure projects across the country. It now goes to the President to be signed into law. CEPP and the Port Everglades expansion can obtain federal funds through future presidential budgets and the Congressional appropriations process as well as state and local financing.

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