U.S. Representative Brian Mast spoke on Apr. 13 at the construction site of the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir, joining Governor DeSantis and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials to mark progress on what has been called the “crown jewel of Everglades restoration.”
The event highlighted ongoing efforts to address longstanding water management issues in South Florida, where excess water from Lake Okeechobee has historically been diverted into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries, leading to repeated outbreaks of toxic blue-green algae and red tide that have affected local communities, beaches, and fisheries. A National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration study found that an extreme bloom in 2018 resulted in a $2.7 billion loss for South Florida’s economy.
The EAA Reservoir project aims to redirect water southward into the Everglades, storing over 78 billion gallons of water and delivering up to 470 billion gallons annually after treatment through a stormwater facility designed to filter nutrients before reaching estuaries and Florida Bay.
During his remarks, Mast said: “And President Trump…he was the first president to come out and stand with many of us on the shores of Lake Okeechobee a number of years ago, recognizing the connectivity of this entire system.” He continued: “What we’re dealing with here is something that connects all of us in Florida: water.”
Mast added: “Water connects all of us—whether we’re sitting at a restaurant on the water, living in a home on the water, walking out onto a dock, fishing from a boat, or relaxing at a sandbar.” He also thanked those involved by saying: “And for every one of you I’ve mentioned—and the hundreds more I haven’t—thank you. Thank you for making it your commitment… What connects all of us will be better than anywhere else in the country—anywhere else in the world… So thank you, everybody, for your commitment.”
Brian Mast is currently serving as U.S. Representative for Florida’s 21st district after replacing Patrick Murphy in 2017 according to available records. He previously served in the Florida House of Representatives as reported by public biographical information.
Mast was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1980; he is now age 42 and lives in Fort Pierce according to published profiles. He graduated from Harvard University Extension School with a Bachelor’s degree in 2016.
