As climate change keeps driving seas higher, the old flood control system that stretches from South Florida to Central Florida is failing. Planners and water managers have been trying to determine what needs to be fixed for about five years. Revamping the system is not unprecedented. It’s what created Everglades restoration. But so far, neither Congress nor the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have agreed.

Yesterday, they asked the South Florida and Treasure Coast regional planning councils to help out.

The miles of canals and levees that make up the old flood system Congress authorized in the 1940s was designed to protect about 2 million people. We now have 11 million, from Orlando to Miami.

Plus, there’s climate change.

Ocean waters in South Florida are rising twice as fast today as they were 20 years ago.

We’re also getting more intense rainfall.

That means flood gates can’t always open when it rains. And pumps, like the one near Fort Lauderdale International Airport, will need to pump around the clock to keep up.

“It can be raining quite severely, with flooding taking place, and residents will be calling in amazement because there’s no discharge occurring. And the response has to be, well, ‘we can’t open those gates and provide that discharge until the high tide recedes’.”

Jennifer Jurado is Broward County’s Resilience Chief.

She’s working with planners and told the regional councils they’ve met repeatedly with lawmakers and Corps commanders.

“Everything was in place. And then three weeks ago, we see the work plan. And once again, the project was not included. And so it is then a year after year of annual disappointments and rethinking what are we not doing right in the strategy?”

A new study would cost about $6 million dollars and four years to complete. The council said it would consider passing a resolution at its next meeting.

# # #

Two New Reports Detail Pandemic’s Effect

on Housing Needs Nationwide and in Florida

Full Appropriation of Florida’s Housing trust Fund Key to Economic Recovery

TALLAHASSEE, FLA: Today, the National Low Income Housing Collection (NLIHC) and the Florida Housing Coalition release independent reports that tell a consistent story – the national housing crisis and Florida’s housing crisis have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic — induced by a loss of employment and an usually high priced housing market for both homeownership and rentals. According to both The Gap Report: A Shortage of Affordable Homes and the Florida Housing Coalition’s 2021 Home Matters Report, many low-income households were already struggling to afford their rent even before COVID-19 devastated so many throughout the state.

Florida needs to increase the supply of affordable rentals and homeownership now more than ever. Low-income renters find themselves in a game of musical chairs for a limited number of affordable units. NLIHC’s report states that even if an extremely low-income (ELI) renter could afford a home, there’s a significant shortage with just 37 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 ELI renter households nationwide. In Florida, according to the Home Matters Report, there are only 25 available units for every 100 extremely low income renters who need it.

The Home Matters Report provides the facts and numbers that help Florida to recover – using all the Sadowski Housing Trust Funds for Housing. In just this year, full appropriation of the Housing Trust Fund will create over $4.9 billion in positive economic benefit, close to 33,000 jobs, a 40% return on investment in revenue generated, and over 19,000 homes rehabilitated or built.

According to Florida Housing Coalition, CEO, Jaimie Ross, “the robust real estate market means the revenue coming to the state is up, coupled with the massive infusion of billions of dollars from the American Rescue Act passed last week which can be used to plug holes in state and local budgets, the Florida Legislature has the pressure of a budget deficit completely lifted. We can and should use all the Sadowski Housing Trust funds solely for Florida’s housing programs.”

# # #

Chief Bay Officer appointed to lead protection and restoration of Biscayne Bay

On January 8, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced that Irela Bagué would join the County as its first-ever Chief Bay Officer. In this new role

, Bagué will advise the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners on all issues relating to the health of the Bay, and act as a liaison between departments, boards, external agencies, stakeholder groups, and local, state, and federal governments. She will also work to advance the recommendations presented in the Biscayne Bay Task Force Report in an effort to meet objectives laid out in the Resilient305 Strategy to safeguard the natural environment and preserve and protect Biscayne Bay.

“We must take immediate action to preserve Biscayne Bay, and nobody is better prepared to help lead that effort than Irela,” said Mayor Levine Cava. “She brings deep subject matter expertise and an outstanding career as an advocate and communicator to this critical role helping move forward policies to preserve and protect the Bay.”

Bagué said, “I started my career in Miami-Dade County, and I’m proud to rejoin the County during this pivotal moment of challenges and opportunities. As a longtime advocate of Biscayne Bay restoration and water resources, it is an absolute honor to serve as Miami-Dade County’s first Chief Bay Officer and advise Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Board of County Commissioners to help chart a long-term course for a resilient and healthy Bay.”

Read more in the Miami Herald.

This Week in South Florida Podcast: December 27, 2020

PEMBROKE PARK, FL – Glenna Milberg (Channel 10 News) talks to Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz, a virtual roundtable with all three South Florida County mayors: Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Broward County Mayor Steve Geller, and Monroe County Mayor Michelle Coldiron, and Fort Lauderdale City Manager Chris Lagerbloom.

https://www.local10.com/this-week-in-south-florida/2020/12/28/this-week-in-south-florida-podcast-december-27-2020/

The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board approved its 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, providing a blueprint for the District to continue advancing Everglades restoration, protect communities from flooding, ensure water for communities, and engage the public and stakeholders over the next five years. Approved unanimously by the SFWMD Governing Board, the plan is based on restoration priorities and significant input from the public and stakeholders.

Click to read the full Press Release