Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart talking to Hendry County offiicals about repairs to the dike. (Submitted photo/Office of Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart)

Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25), Founder and Co-Chairman of the Everglades Caucus, toured the Herbert Hoover Dike, on Monday, July 10, to get an update on the Dike’s rehabilitation, which was fully funded at $49.5 million in the FY17 Appropriations Omnibus. As a senior member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Diaz-Balart worked with his colleagues to ensure that funding for the Dike’s continued rehabilitation was included in the legislation. Colonel Jason A. Kirk, Commander and District Engineer of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District, Clewiston Mayor Mali Gardner, LaBelle Mayor David Lyons, and Hendry County Commissioner Karson Turner, joined Diaz-Balart on the tour.

“The rehabilitation of the Herbert Hoover Dike is a key step towards restoring the Everglades. I’m glad that Mayors Gardner and Lyons and Commissioner Turner were able to join me on this tour to get a first-hand look at the progress being made. I particularly want to thank Colonel Kirk for his unwavering and steadfast leadership. In Congress, I will continue to work with our federal and local partners to ensure that critical rehabilitation projects like the Herbert Hoover Dike remain a priority and are adequately funded.”