May 27, 2003
Department of Environmental Protection Press Release
Record New Funding to Save the Everglades
Florida Keeps Money Flowing Into
the River of Grass and Other Environmental Priorities
Tallahassee: Today, the Legislature is
expected to redouble Florida's
commitment to Everglades restoration by
appropriating a record
$225 million to restore the River of Grass, more than twice the
funding
originally anticipated this year. In addition, the Legislature is
also
expected to approve $800 million in bonding authority over the
next eight
years to fund Florida's ongoing commitment.
Governor Jeb Bush is the architect of
the funding plan for the state-federal
partnership that is accomplishing Everglades restoration. Since
2000, the
State of Florida and South Florida Water Management District have
invested
nearly $500 million in the project. Including cash and bonds
provided this
year, Florida's total financial commitment to restore water flow
through the
famed River of Grass now tops one-and-a-half billion dollars.
"In one of the tightest budget years in recent history, the
Florida
Legislature and Governor Jeb Bush doubled Florida's financial
commitment to
ensure restoration remains on time and on budget," said
Department of
Environmental Protection Secretary David B. Struhs. "There should
be no
question about Florida's commitment to Everglades
restoration."
In February, Governor Bush and the Florida Cabinet transferred
cash reserves
into Florida's land conservation programs, Florida Forever and
Preservation
2000, to ensure money would be available to restore the
Everglades. The
Florida Legislature appropriated $200 million of these funds for
Everglades
restoration.
"Governor Bush is committed to saving the
Everglades," said Struhs. "Florida
is providing the money to make restoration a reality."
Other legislation that is expected to pass the Legislature
tomorrow will
also provide an additional $451 million over the next 13 years to
clean up
pollution in water before it enters the Everglades. The
commitment builds on
a $630 million investment to improve water quality in the
Everglades.
Cash Commitment to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan
FLORIDA / FEDERAL (Fiscal Year)
$122,707,122 / $ 27,453,000 (2000-2001)
$197,500,765 / $ 39,221,000 (2001-2002)
$170,700,812 / $ 45,962,000 (2002-2003)
$225,000,000 / (2003-2004)
$715,908,699 / $112,636,000 TOTALS
* Of the $715.9 million, $505 million is State and $210.9 is
South Florida Water Management District
* The federal budget for fiscal year 2004 is not final.
Governor Bush's efforts to increase protection for Florida's
water and land
also received significant funding:
The Legislature appropriated $2.5 million for the Florida
Springs
Initiative, a comprehensive and coordinated effort launched by
Governor Bush
two years ago to increase protection for Florida's 600 freshwater
springs.
Known as "liquid bowls of light", springs are early gauges of
trends in
Florida's drinking water quality and quantity.
A new program that will jumpstart restoration of lakes and
rivers throughout
Florida was appropriated an initial $2.2 million. The program,
Total Maximum
Daily Loads, uses a science-based methodology to identify
polluted lakes and
rivers, and then prioritizes cleanup to accelerate restoration
efforts.
Florida Forever, the 10-year land conservation program
initiated by Governor
Bush in 1999, received full authority to bond $300 million again
this year.
Since July 1, 1999, Florida has acquired 433,321 acres.