Prioritizing Revised Operations To Eliminate Cyanobacteria Toxins in Florida Act or the PROTECT Florida Act
This bill modifies requirements regarding water infrastructure projects in central and southern Florida.
Specifically, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) must include in such projects specified public health considerations, including those related to cyanobacteria (i.e., blue-green algae) and other toxins.
The bill also prohibits the use of restoration funds for deep well injection (a liquid-waste disposal technology).
In addition, the USACE must (1) develop a master operational manual to ensure system management that protects public health and Everglades restoration; and (2) with the National Academies of Sciences, study the legacy of pollution and nutrient loading, as well as the impacts of soil amendments.