Protecting the local environment
The Indian River Lagoon and the St. Lucie River are prized Treasure Coast assets. Congressman Murphy will work to prevent Lake Okeechobee releases that contain too much phosphorous and other fertilizer run-off from entering the St Lucie River. These releases have damaged the fish population and sea grasses in recent years. Addressing Lake Okeechobee restoration issues will help the water quality in these bodies. Further, Congressman Murphy will work across the aisle to break the federal and state logjam that prevents the restoration of the Everglades. Congressman Murphy has joined the recently reintroduced Everglades Caucus and is working to secure sufficient funding to protect the Everglades.
Some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are along and adjacent to the Treasure Coast, including Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge and John D. MacArthur State Park at Singer Island. He is looking for ways to develop standards and new sources of sand for beach re-nourishment projects.
Lastly, as a life-long Floridian and outdoorsman, Congressman Murphy understands the importance of our environment – not just as a matter of air and water quality for future generations, but for our economy. Florida tourism, hospitality, real
estate, fishing, and many other industries depend on it.
Fostering growth of research and technical centers
Scientific research is critically important for the economy accelerate and for our nation to remain the leader in technology. From Scripps to Max Planck to VGTI and others, a wide variety of research and development facilities have relocated to the region, and Congressman Murphy is committed to working with them to foster the growth of the Research Coast. These institutes provide high-paying, highly skilled jobs that will aid the region as it recovers from the economic downturn.
Getting more out of air and sea ports
The St. Lucie International Airport and the Ft. Pierce seaport are underutilized resources, and Congressman Murphy is working to boost their capacity for the Treasure Coast in light of the planned 2014 Panama Canal extension. The first step is to use state funds to update the port’s master plan. This planning can lead to new job opportunities for a variety of industries, and Congressman Murphy is working towards new clean activities for the port to protect the Indian River Lagoon and off-shore fisheries.
