Rick Marks, left, Robby Majeska, Deb Willis, Chris Sante, Michelle Coldiron, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Roget Bryan, Peter Rosasco, Fred Hicks, and Seth Lawless make up a delegation from the Keys to Washington, D.C. (Marks is lobbyist for Marathon and Hicks represents Islamorada.) City Manager Chuck Lindsey said the delegation had a successful trip to Washington this past week. Every year, the Keys group — consisting of elected representatives and top municipal officials — petitions for its share of the Florida Keys Water Quality Improvement Project, overseen by the Army Corps of Engineers. “I think our funding is secure for the 2018 budget, and 2019 looks hopeful as well,” Lindsey said. In 2003, $100 million was put aside and about half has been awarded since then. The Keys will use its $2 million granted this year for wastewater, stormwater and nearshore water quality projects. CONTRIBUTED
