As a proud champion of the Everglades, I am fully committed to securing funding for its restoration and preservation, ensuring this unique ecosystem is protected for generations to come.
Secure funding for Everglades restoration and preservation.
Occurrences
Evidence
"As a champion of the Everglades, I fully support funding for its restoration and am leading the effort to create a National Resilience Strategy to protect our coastal communities. I’ve secured millions in Community Funding Projects for Florida’s 27th district to build storm infrastructure, reduce flooding, improve water quality in Biscayne Bay, and passed legislation to support coral restoration by creating artificial reefs."
Florida Members of Congress, including Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, sent a letter requesting $725 million for Everglades Restoration in the FY24 budget request.
Rep. María Elvira Salazar announced that she secured more than $23 million in funding for critical projects in Miami communities through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024; the funding was described as supporting coastal infrastructure and environment, water supply, and related needs.
The office said the Coastal Wetlands Project is "a key component of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP)" and that it "restores the natural flow of freshwater into Biscayne Bay, improve water quality, revive wetland habitats" and secure South Florida's water supply.
The South Florida Water Management District said the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and that completion of all components means "another major CERP project is complete."
Salazar announced she "successfully secured $25.6 million in federal funding" for district projects and said, "This is about keeping my promise to South Florida," while listing coastal and marine protection initiatives and other water-related spending.
Assessments
The evidence shows Salazar joined a concrete FY24 push for $725 million in Everglades restoration funding and later secured federal appropriations for district environmental, water, coastal, and resilience projects. Official materials tie at least one highlighted project, the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project, directly to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, and independent confirmation says that project was completed. However, the record does not establish that she secured broad or dedicated Everglades restoration funding at the full scope implied by the promise; much of the cited funding is adjacent coastal, water-quality, or district infrastructure spending. This supports partial delivery in the same term rather than full delivery.