REP. MARÍA ELVIRA SALAZAR DELIVERS $2.4 MILLION FOR KEY BISCAYNE FLOOD PROTECTION AND COASTAL RESILIENCE
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — U.S. Representative María Elvira Salazar (FL-27) visited Key Biscayne to deliver more than $2.4 million in federal funding she secured for two projects that will help address flooding around Key Biscayne K-8 Community School and explore a long-term solution to shoreline erosion.
Joined by Key Biscayne Mayor Joe Rasco and Village leaders, Rep. Salazar presented $2 million for stormwater improvements around Key Biscayne K-8 and $412,500 for an offshore barrier reef study in collaboration with the University of Miami.
“Leadership means seeing a problem before it becomes a crisis and doing the work to solve it,” said Rep. Salazar. “When our streets flood and our coastline is threatened, families feel the consequences. In Congress, my job is to turn those challenges into action: secure the resources, hold federal agencies accountable, and deliver results on the ground. That is the standard I have set across South Florida, and I will keep raising it.”
“These investments give Key Biscayne the opportunity to address the flooding challenges we face today while planning responsibly for the future of our shoreline,” said Key Biscayne Mayor Joe Rasco. “We are grateful to Congresswoman Salazar for securing these federal resources and to the University of Miami for bringing its expertise to this effort. Strong partnerships like these are essential to keeping Key Biscayne safe and resilient for generations to come.”
Flooding around the school can reach two to three feet during severe rain events, disrupting access for families, school buses, first responders, and the more than 1,000 students who attend Key Biscayne K-8. The $2 million secured by Rep. Salazar will help install a new pump-based drainage system designed to move water out more effectively, reduce flooding, and improve safety in the surrounding neighborhood.
Rep. Salazar also delivered $412,500 for the Village’s Offshore Barrier Reef for Shoreline Stabilization Study, a collaboration between Key Biscayne and the University of Miami. The study will examine whether a hybrid offshore reef could help reduce beach erosion while limiting unintended environmental impacts and reducing the need for repeated beach renourishment.
The $2,412,500 in Community Project Funding was secured by Rep. Salazar through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process, signed into law in February 2026.
Watch Rep. Salazar’s visit to Key Biscayne and learn more about the projects HERE.
Mire la visita de la representante Salazar a Key Biscayne y conoce más sobre estos proyectos AQUÍ
REP. SALAZAR’S RECORD ON FLOOD PROTECTION
Rep. Salazar has secured more than $20 million for flood mitigation and stormwater projects across South Florida, including:
- $14 million for the City of Miami
- $2.3 million for Pinecrest
- $2 million for Cutler Bay
- $2.9 million for Key Biscayne
- $1.4 million for Miami-Dade County
Together, these investments reflect Rep. Salazar’s broader focus on strengthening South Florida’s infrastructure before the next major storm. From drainage and flood mitigation to coastal resilience, she has prioritized projects that protect neighborhoods, improve public safety, and help communities prepare for the challenges ahead.