The U.S. House of Representatives passed U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary of National Significance Act (S. 50) to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to formally enroll the Pensacola and Perdido Bays Estuary Program (PPBEP)...
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) released a statement on his nomination by President-elect Donald J. Trump to serve as the United States Secretary of State. “Leading the U.S. Department of State is a tremendous responsibility, and I am honored by the trust President...
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined The World Over with Raymond Arroyo to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s historic victory, the Democrats’ response to the election, foreign policy challenges facing our nation, and more. See below for highlights and watch the...
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined America Reports to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s historic victory, Democrats’ proclamation of “resistance,” and the failure of identity politics. See below for highlights and watch the full interview on YouTube and...
Senator Rubio's office is pleased to be issuing a limited number of tickets to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony, which will occur on January 20, 2025 at the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. Floridians interested in receiving tickets should fill out...
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) joined Hannity to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s historic victory. See below for highlights and watch the full interview on YouTube and Rumble. On the ongoing realignment among American voters: “The Republican Party now reflects...
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Congressman Brian Mast (R-FL) introduced the Land and Water Conservation Fund Amendments Act of 2021 that seeks to amend the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) to increase flexibility and allow states to utilize existing funds to support water quality projects that states are required to propose under Section 303(d) of the Clean Water Act for watersheds deemed impaired by nutrient loading.
Under current law, the LWCF is used exclusively for land acquisition and efforts directly relating to recreation, such as educational signage, but cannot be used to improve the lands and water they are intended to conserve. Expanding eligibility to include water quality and ecosystem restoration projects would allow states, like Florida, to use existing federal money for projects to restore aquatic lands and waters in a manner that improves water quality and reduces the risk of harmful algal blooms to promote more enjoyable outdoor recreation experiences. This bill would make approximately $100 million in existing federal funding available for water quality projects in the State of Florida over the next decade, without the need for authorizing or appropriating new funds. As a result of the requirement that LWCF monies are matched by the non-federal recipient, this bill would allow approximately $200 million in total to be made available for water quality projects over the next decade.
“Protecting and restoring Florida’s water quality is critically important for our state,” Rubio said. “This bill would make meaningful reforms to allow existing LWCF funds to be used for ecosystem restoration and water quality projects in Florida. This important change will give our state additional resources to improve our state’s ecosystems, reduce nutrient loads in our waterways, and reduce the risk of harmful algal blooms.”
“In Florida, water quality and recreation go hand-in-hand. Toxic algae often keeps people from enjoying our waters and beaches, so expanding eligibility to water quality projects is completely in line with the LWCF’s mission,” Mast said. “Florida taxpayers contribute to this fund, we should be able to use it to address the most pressing issues in our communities.”