Graham Passes Apalachicola Amendment to Water Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, Representative Gwen Graham successfully amended the House Energy and Water Appropriations Bill to help address water flow issues hurting the Apalachicola Bay.

Rep. Graham’s amendment allocates $3 million to perform a study requested by the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) Stakeholders, a diverse group of citizens who live and work in the ACF Basin. They’ve requested the study to research fundamental scientific and technical information that is still unknown about the ACF Basin, in order to more effectively manage this unique and vital natural resource.

Click here for video of Rep. Graham passing the Apalachicola Amendment. 

“Despite their different interests and diverging opinions on some issues, the ACF Stakeholders have been able to agree on a number of substantial recommendations to restore the  ACF Basin,” Rep. Graham said. “This study is one of those recommendations. And I’m proud, like the ACF Stakeholders, we were able to come together in Congress to pass this amendment.”  

In addition to successfully passing this amendment, Rep. Graham has also introduced the Apalachicola Bay Restoration Act, which would require the Army Corps of Engineers to consider fresh water flow to the Apalachicola Bay in their management plans. Rep. Graham rallied 21 members of the Florida delegation to support the bill, an unprecedented sign of unity and statewide support to save the bay.

“The Apalachicola Bay is a critically important asset to Florida’s ecology, economy and heritage. I believe this amendment and the resulting study will move us a step closer toward working with the Army Corps of Engineers to recognize the needs of downstream users and restore the bay,” Rep. Graham said.

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