Florida Senate President Joe Negron to receive honor for environmental advocacy work

Florida Senate President Joe Negron will be recognized for his environmental policy work with the 2019 Love Your Lagoon Lifetime Leadership and Achievement Award, the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation announced Wednesday.

The Stuart Republican will be the guest of honor at the foundation's eighth annual fundraiser, which will be held Feb. 1 at Quail Valley River Club in Vero Beach.

More: Lake Okeechobee reservoir is Negron's legacy 

Negron, who in May announced his early resignation, will step down next month. He was elected to the Senate in 2009 and served in the House from 2001 to 2006.

EAA reservoir to curb discharges

Negron pushed for the 2017 passage of Senate Bill 10, which secured funding and set deadlines to build the EAA reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee to reduce polluted freshwater discharges to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers.

“His care and commitment to solving problems facing the health of the Indian River Lagoon are noteworthy and his selection as he leaves public service is most meaningful,” foundation President and CEO Katha Kissman said in a news release. 

Negron also pushed for increasing funding to the Florida Forever environmental land-buying program and beach re-nourishment projects. Both are expected to receive additional funding this year as part of the state budget.

“I very much appreciate the steadfast support of Harbor Branch and our entire community in working toward the legislative funding and approval of Senate Bill 10," Negron said in the same news release. "I am grateful to receive this honor and look forward to a wonderful event.”