Why It Matters

The City of Stuart enters federal lobbying for the first time, hiring Thorn Run Partners and lobbyist Gregory D. Burns—who has two decades of experience representing neighboring Martin County and St. Lucie County on water issues. Stuart’s timing is strategic, coinciding with active congressional focus on water infrastructure and strong regional advocacy from Rep. Brian Mast, who prioritizes septic-to-sewer conversions and stormwater rehabilitation. The city’s efforts will focus on Army Corps of Engineers water management policies, federal infrastructure funding, and legislation like the PROTECT Florida Act.

By the Numbers

Stuart registered as a new client with Thorn Run Partners on January 31, 2025, with Burns as the sole registered advocate. Burns brings extensive municipal lobbying experience, having represented Martin and St. Lucie counties with 77 disclosures each since 2003. Thorn Run Partners maintains a broader Florida municipal practice, including Broward County and Monroe County, specializing in Budget/Appropriations and Environmental/Superfund issues.

The Agenda

Stuart is lobbying on "local government representation focused on water issues" under the Environmental/Superfund category. The city faces persistent harmful algal blooms from nutrient-laden freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. These environmental crises damage local ecology, impact public health, and harm the tourism-based economy. Stuart’s federal lobbying aims to secure intervention and funding to mitigate ongoing water quality problems affecting the St. Lucie River estuary.

Broader Context

Lake Okeechobee has been ranked as the most polluted freshwater lake in America, with discharges flowing into Stuart’s St. Lucie estuary. Harmful algal blooms create annual crises, damaging tourism that generates over $1 billion annually in St. Lucie County alone.

The federal landscape presents mixed signals. The Trump administration has paused over $11 billion in water infrastructure projects for Democrat-controlled states, tightening funding. However, Congress remains active on water issues, with the House Transportation Committee examining WIFIA effectiveness and the Senate Environment Committee highlighting bipartisan PFAS contamination interest.

Between The Lines

Congress is actively addressing water issues central to Stuart’s agenda. The PROTECT Florida Act directs the Army Corps to minimize toxic discharges into the St. Lucie watershed. Additional legislation includes the WATER Act, creating a dedicated water infrastructure trust fund, and the Healthy H2O Act establishing filtration grant programs.

Competitive Landscape

Stuart enters a crowded field. Tampa Bay Water lobbies on water quality, while municipalities like Mount Pleasant, South Carolina pursue stormwater funding. Water companies including Ecolab and Nalco Water lobby on PFAS remediation, while the National Association of Sewer Service Companies advocates on EPA appropriations.

The Bottom Line

Stuart’s inaugural federal lobbying campaign addresses Lake Okeechobee pollution through experienced advocate Burns and aligns with active legislation and Rep. Mast’s advocacy. However, constrained federal funding and regulatory uncertainty limit what lobbying alone can accomplish.

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