TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Congress is including millions to help with Everglades restoration in a wide-ranging water bill being sent to President Barack Obama.
Congress approved the bill early Saturday morning.
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said the Everglades restoration funding including in the bill will eventually help reduce the amount of discharges from Lake Okeechobee that has caused algae blooms along Florida's coasts. The bill also includes $121 million for a restoration project in Collier County that is intended to increase water flow.
Nelson's office also said that the water bill includes a $31.6 million beach re-nourishment project for Flagler Beach intended to help protect State Road A1A.
The measure also includes $337 million to deepen the main shipping channels at Port Everglades from 42 feet to 48 feet.
