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Between the unique island lifestyle, the third -largest coral reef in the world and its incomparable natural beauty, it is
easy to see how the Florida Keys is truly one of Florida's environmental treasures. But, it's also much more, as the Florida
Keys is a premier tourist destination, with a world -class recreational and industrial fishing industry, and one of the
foremost naval training facilities in the nation. All of this makes the Florida Keys a significant economic driver for the
local area and the entire State of Florida.
In order to protect and preserve the Florida Keys and ensure it continues to be an economic driver for our state, Senator
Wilton Simpson (R Trilby) and Representative Holly Raschein (R-Key Largo) have introduced the Florida Keys Stewardship
Act, Senate Bill 770 and House Bill 447 respectively.
THE FLORIDA KEYS STEWARDSHIP ACT DOES THE FOLLOWING:
Aims to invest $25 million per year for 10 years in water
quality and supply protection, and land;
Encompasses the remaining $100 million for wastewater
infrastructure in the standing authorization for the Florida
Keys under the Mayfield Authorization;
Maintains the current ILA distribution amounts as outlined
in the authorization;
Expands beyond the Mayfield Authorization for wastewater;
Adds in essential components to prevent the degradation
of nearshore waters and the one -of -kind marine ecosystem
of the Florida Keys, such as stormwater management,
the restoration of impaired canal waters and advanced
wastewater treatment;
IVI Enhances water supply through alternative water resources;
Invests in land for critical habitat protection, public safety
in case of an evacuation, property rights and military base
protection;
Creates an invaluable partnership between the Florida Keys
IVI and the State of Florida, allowing the state to protect the
investments they have already made in the area; and
LJ Yields a significant return on investment for the entire State
of Florida.
Making investments now is vital to ensuring that the Florida Keys
continue to thrive for years to come, and that its environment is
preserved for future generations of Floridians.
CONTACT
State Representative Holly Raschein, District 120
Holly.Raschein@MyFloridaHouse.Gov
Erin.Muir@MyFloridaHouse.Gov
Monroe County Administrator Roman Gastesi
Gastesi- Roma n@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov
Monroe County Director of Legislative Affairs Lisa Tennyson
Tennyson-Lisa@MonroeCounty-FL.Gov