AQUEDUCT AUTHORITY

Iwanted to take this opportunity to update you on the water situation that we are experiencing here in the Keys. As you know, we recently endured three very significant breaks in our system. Following the third break, we all suffered a complete loss of water, or at the very least, significant drops in pressure.

STEWARDSHIP ACT & AHEC FUNDING PART OF HOUSE AND SENATE PROPOSALS

JIM McCARTHY jim@keysweekly.com

Several critical Keys programs found their way into the Florida Senate and House budget proposals that were unveiled last week in Tallahassee.

While the amounts for the Keys differ between the two chambers’ budgets, the inclusion of key funding for education and environmental programs is an encouraging sign as state legislators begin work on the budget. On March 28, the House and Senate Appropriations committees approved their own versions of a budget, each totaling more than $112 billion. State Rep. Jim Mooney and state Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez serve on their chambers’ appropriations committees. The representatives for the Keys voted in favor of their chambers’ budgets.

The chambers will need to agree on a spending plan before May 2 in order to meet a 72-hour “cooling off period” before lawmakers give final approval before the end of regular session on May 5.

Senate and House budgets include $20 million in Florida Keys Stewardship Act funding to construct projects that protect, restore or enhance nearshore water quality and fisheries. Many local municipalities have used the funds in recent years to address poor water quality in canals. The money also helps local governments in acquiring land.

Keys officials are hoping funds allocated to the Florida Keys Stewardship Act are annually included in the state Department of Environmental Protection’s budget. For years, legislators representing the island chain fought not only to include an appropriation for the program, but also to secure the full amount needed for critical environmental projects. House Bill 135, sponsored by Mooney, would put funding for the Keys environment on a pedestal with the Everglades and water management districts. Mooney’s bill awaits consideration in the House. A companion Senate Bill 54, sponsored by Rodriguez, was supported by members in the Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Some $5 million for a reverse osmosis plant in Marathon was included in the Senate’s budget proposal. Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority is pumping 22 mil- lion gallons of water per day from its primary source in the Biscayne Aquifer. Seawater plants in Stock Island and Marathon help supply additional water in emergency situations, as when three pipe breaks earlier in March forced FKAA to use the Stock Island plant.

House and Senate budgets propose varying amounts for the Florida Keys Marine Protection Mooring Field project. The House budgeted $805,000 while the Senate allocated $500,000 in its proposal.

Both legislative chambers propose $9.7 million for operational expenses at the College of the Florida Keys. The House and Senate also propose similar amounts for college nursing grants, $748,000.

Three requests by the village of Islamorada made the House budget, including emergency backup generators storage facility, $150,000, an Islamorada Village Council Chambers/Public Works Facility feasibility study, $150,000, and a new ambulance, $190,000. The Senate’s budget proposal allocated $250,000 for the village’s council chambers and public works facility study.

To assist in the coral recovery effort, both chambers propose $1 million to Mote Marine Laboratory. The Senate’s budget includes a $10 million allocation to Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish and implement the framework for placement, monitoring and maintenance of artificial habitat.

The Senate budget proposal also includes $2 million for renovations to Bruce Hall in Key West; $150,000 for ReMARCable Citizens and $500,000 for Key Colony Beach City Hall. The Senate proposed $250,000 for the Keys Area Health Education Center, or AHEC, while the House proposed $487,000. The House proposes $3.5 million for the county’s Emergency Operation Center in Marathon.

The budget also includes a pay increase for FWC officers and Florida Highway Patrol troopers in Monroe County.

Between Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, the budget includes $120 million for the School Readiness Program, $2.7 million for the Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten Education Program and $623,000 for school district workforce education programs.

Rodriguez told the Keys Weekly on March 28 that she’s pleased so far as the budget process begins.

“I’m feeling confident about the positioning of our funding, but must remain vigilant and continue fighting for our community’s share,” she said.

Amendments were filed to the Senate’s budget to include projects for Pigeon Key, $950,000, Little Truman White House, $500,000, and Habitat for Humanity organizations in the Keys, $1.9 million.

All of our leaks have now been repaired and service has been restored. However, all of us are still seeing reduced pressures at the tap. I am going to attempt to explain what is occurring and what you can expect going forward.

We have customarily pumped between 23 and 26 million gallons per day out of our Florida City location. Prior to COVID, our levels were closer to 19 to 21 million gallons a day. The demands on our system have continued to increase. We have known for some time that our transmission main that runs 130 miles from Florida City to Key West was in desperate need of replacing. Those of you that travel U.S. 1 more regularly have seen that the work has already begun.

The pipe, in its current condition, is simply not able to support the volume of water or the pressures required to move it, therefore we have been forced to make reductions.

Despite the reduced output from Florida City, we have been able to make gains in our water tanks that are spread throughout our system. These tanks hold reserve water stores so that if there is a break, we can continue to serve a majority of our customers until repairs are completed. By our third and final leak, we had exhausted our reserve supply, and that was why we were unable to supply water throughout the repair.

Unfortunately, despite the restoration of our reserves, we do not feel confident that our pipes can continue to handle 23-26 million gallons per day, so we have limited our output to 22 million gallons per day. In order to achieve these reductions and continue to serve all of you, we have had to reduce pressures at our master taps. This is why you are seeing pressures lower than those to which you have become accustomed. I apologize if these reductions in pressures have proven problematic for some of you, but we are making decisions that we believe will allow us to continually serve you, even if it is at lower levels.

We are continuing to make adjustments and get you back to the levels of pressure you have come to expect. I wish I could tell you that this will be a quick fix or even a temporary inconvenience, but I cannot. Rest assured, we are doing our very best and meeting daily to figure ways to better serve you. We thank you for your patience and your assistance in our conservation efforts.

— Gregory W. Veliz, executive director

Your Island Boutique Destination

10875 OVERSEAS HWY, OCEAN (TURN AT 107TH)

Marathon Masons Feed First Responders

On behalf of Marathon Masonic Lodge #323, we would like to thank the following companies and individuals for their generous donations toward our second annual St. Patrick’s day, first responders dinner.

Omar and Nicole Maldonado, owners of the S.S. Wreck and Galley Grill and Coast to Coast pizza. Maria Ely, owner of the Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House.

John Mirabella, owner of Castaway Waterfront. Vivian and Randy Culmer, owners of Marathon Seawall and Dock.

Their generous donations helped us serve our first responders and show them our appreciation. Over 100 meals were served making this year's event bigger than last year’s. We would also like to thank our Masonic Brothers for the donation of their time to make this event possible.

And a special thanks to Brothers Jim Knutson & Ken Kuebler

BELLA

7-year-old female mixed breed.

Looking for: A fellow couch potato to relax with.

Turnoffs: Storms. Storms are so scary.