Trump budget cuts leave Lee County vulnerable to increased risk of flooding
Though the Trump administration easily found $450 million in FEMA money for its shameful Alligator Alcatraz prison camp, it abruptly terminated the agency’s critically-important Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program in April 2025.
This cut is forcing Lee County to halt essential canal resilience upgrades tied to a $150 million federal award. So far, only $6 million was received—leaving approximately $144 million of backlogged construction funds in limbo.
What Was at Stake
The resilience initiative would have:
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Widened and strengthened canal channels downstream of the recently-opened C‑43 West Basin Reservoir;
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Reinforced canal banks and levees to reduce flood risk; and
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Upgraded pump stations and natural stormwater features to improve water control.
These components were designed to ensure water held in the reservoir during storms could be safely released without overwhelming Lee County’s stormwater network.
Flooding is a particularly pressing problem in Southwest Florida. Ninety percent of natural disasters involve flooding, according to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and coastal flooding in the U.S. now occurs three times more frequently than 30 years ago. Even more concerning, this trend shows no sign of slowing, according to a report published this year by Climate Central’s Coastal Risk Finder. By 2050, flood frequency is projected to increase tenfold compared to current levels, driven by rising sea levels that push tides and storm surges higher and further inland.
Immediate Impacts on Lee County of the BRIC cancellation:
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Design Completed, Construction Delayed
Local engineers finished project designs using the initial $6 million, but no canal widening or bank repair has begun due to the frozen remaining funds. -
Gaps in Flood Protections
With hurricane season underway and Lee County’s existing canals already under strain, the delay leaves local communities more vulnerable to flooding during heavy rainfall or reservoir releases. FEMA announced the decision to end BRIC the day after Colorado State University’s Department of Atmospheric Science released a forecast projecting an above-average Atlantic hurricane season for 2025. -
Local Budget Pressure
Without the federal 75–90% match, Lee County and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) must consider fronting the multi-hundred‑million dollar cost—or shelving the work entirely.
Broader Consequences
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BRIC’s cancellation statewide halted dozens of resilience projects, with an estimated $300 million in frozen funding—including efforts in both south and southwest Florida.
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The Association of State Floodplain Managers described the move as “beyond reckless,” pointing to strong cost-benefit outcomes from mitigation work.
Without full BRIC funding, Lee County’s canal resilience work—key to flood defense and water quality—is on hold. Legal developments and budget decisions in the coming months will determine whether the projects resume, pivot, or collapse.
Written by Cynthia Wolfe for Independent News SWFL.
Disgusted? Let your Member of Congress, Representative Byron Donalds, hear from you. He is listed among the cosponsors of the bill, showing his formal support. He appeared on multiple TV news programs advocating for the bill. Ask him why he worked so hard to slash FEMA when the district he supports is hit by a hurricane in Lee County at least every 2–3 years.
Image first published in Florida Weekly.