Restoring the River of Grass

The Everglades is a delicate ecosystem known throughout the world for its scenic sunrises, mysterious wetlands and unique wildlife. It extends beyond the national park and beyond our imaginations –winding south from Orlando through the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, the Kissimmee River, engulfing Lake Okeechobee and on to the calm waters of the Florida Bay.

Florida is stepping up the pace of restoration. No other government in the world has invested as much time or money in improving the quality of one single waterbody or natural system. Guided by sound science and the dedication of many, restoring the Everglades will improve the quality of life for the seven million residents of South Florida, provide improved flood control for the region, supply the essential amount of water for restoration, all while preserving America's Everglades. This means saving over 60 endangered species and protecting the natural plant life for future generations.

Florida's Accomplishments To Date

• Florida has converted 52,000 acres of land to Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) - man-made wetlands that naturally filter phosphorus pollution from water before it enters the Everglades.
• These constructed wetlands and improved farming practices have prevented more than 2,600 metric tons of phosphorus loads from impacting the Everglades.
• The world's largest man-made wetland - Stormwater Treatment Area (STA) 3/4 at 17,000 acres - was completed in 2004.
• More than half - 58 percent or 222,489 acres of lands needed to implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) are in state ownership.
• In 2004, Florida launched its suite of expedite projects- an ambitious plan to speed up the funding, design and construction of critical restoration projects. Since then, construction has begun on six of the eight projects.
• Florida has invested $2.4 billion to the $10.9 billion state-federal CERP since the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2000.