Peter Deutsch: “the bill as it is presently in front of us has language that notwithstanding any other provision of law, hereafter the…”

“the bill as it is presently in front of us has language that notwithstanding any other provision of law, hereafter the Secretary of the Interior must concur in developing, implementing, and revising regulations to allocate water made available from Central and Southern Florida Project features. My understanding is that a point of order will be raised and that language will be struck from the bill. It is not protected by the rule. I think that that language is critical really in terms of Everglades restoration. I applaud the committee, the subcommittee, for an incredible effort, the largest ecosystem restoration in the history of the world that this committee has been part of. I think it is a legacy each of us are leaving, not just to our children and grandchildren but future generations as well. Unfortunately, though, when this language will be struck from the bill, the concern that some of us have that the priority until we pass the Everglades Restudy, the priority of this funding is not necessarily the priority which I think most of us want, which is that resource protection be the highest priority but that flood management protection which is critical, and water supply which is critical will be potentially a higher priority. Therefore, I look forward to working with the substantive committee and the Committee on Appropriations to include similar language which is necessary to the intent, I think which the majority of members want.”