To direct the Corps of Engineers to develop a comprehensive plan for Lake Okeechobee and northern estuaries ecosystem restoration, and for other purposes.

To direct the Corps of Engineers to develop a comprehensive plan for Lake Okeechobee and northern estuaries ecosystem restoration, and for other purposes. 1. Lake Okeechobee and northern estuaries ecosystem restoration, Florida (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Central and Southern Florida project The term Central and Southern Florida Project (2) Northern estuaries The term northern estuaries (3) Secretary The term Secretary (4) South Florida ecosystem (A) In general The term South Florida ecosystem (B) Inclusions The term South Florida ecosystem (i) the Everglades; (ii) the Florida Keys; (iii) the contiguous near-shore coastal water of South Florida; and (iv) Florida’s Coral Reef. (5) Study area The term study area (A) the South Florida ecosystem; or (B) the study area boundaries of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program and the Coastal and Heartland Estuary Partnership, authorized pursuant to section 320 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. (b) Comprehensive plan (1) In general (A) Development The Secretary shall develop, in cooperation with the non-Federal sponsors of the Central and Southern Florida project and any relevant Federal, State, and Tribal agencies, a comprehensive plan for the purpose of restoring, preserving, and protecting Lake Okeechobee and the northern estuaries. (B) Inclusions In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall ensure that the comprehensive plan provides for the protection and improvement of water quality within the study area through activities that include— (i) the elimination of harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee; (ii) the reduction and elimination of harmful algal blooms; (iii) the restoration of hydrological connections and conditions; (iv) the enhancement of habitat, emergent and submerged aquatic vegetation, and keystone species populations; and (v) the dredging and beneficial reuse of harmful silt and muck deposits in Lake Okeechobee and the northern estuaries. (C) Submission Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress— (i) the comprehensive plan developed under this paragraph; and (ii) a feasibility report and a programmatic environmental impact statement for any proposed Federal actions set forth in such plan. (D) Interim reports Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter until the submission of the comprehensive plan under subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall submit to Congress an interim report on the development of the comprehensive plan. (E) Additional studies and analyses Notwithstanding the submission of a feasibility report under subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall continue to conduct such studies and analyses after the date of such submission as are necessary for the purpose of restoring, preserving, and protecting Lake Okeechobee and the northern estuaries. (2) Water quality In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall take into account the protection of water quality, in consultation with the State of Florida and by considering applicable State water quality standards. (3) Integration of other activities In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall integrate the activities included in the comprehensive plan with ongoing Federal, State, and Tribal projects and activities, including— (A) the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual and any subsequent water control plan for Lake Okeechobee; and (B) the projects authorized under the Central and Southern Florida project and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. (c) Justification Notwithstanding section 209 of the Flood Control Act of 1970 ( 42 U.S.C. 1962–2 (1) the activity is justified by the environmental benefits derived by Lake Okeechobee and the northern estuaries; and (2) no further economic justification for the activity is required, if the Secretary determines that the activity is cost-effective.

Summary: This bill requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop a comprehensive plan for the purpose of restoring, preserving, and protecting Lake Okeechobee and the northern estuaries in Florida.