FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
September 14, 2001
DEP Secretary Presents Comprehensive Long-Range
Budget Proposal
TALLAHASSEE
-- Today, Florida
DEP Secretary David B. Struhs presented the Department of
Environmental Protection's 2002-03 budget proposal and long-range
program plan to the public. The Department’s request of $1.79
billion -- $50-million less than the current budget -- contains
several major priorities, among those are:
- $100 million to
maintain Florida’s commitment to restore America’s
Everglades and keep the project on time and on budget. These
projects are a partnership between the state and federal
government to complete a massive 20-year, $8-billion mission
to restore the health and vitality of the Everglades.
- $500,000 to improve
air quality in Pensacola by reducing the ozone in an area that
is in danger of not meeting federal air quality standards.
Funds an assessment of air quality in the Pensacola area of
West Florida and will determine potential control strategies
to reduce air pollution levels in the area.
- $2.5 million to
further protect Florida’s Springs. Funding for the second
year for research efforts to delineate and map recharge areas,
determine the effects of nutrient on spring ecology and
identify sources of nutrients in the recharge areas.
- $1 million toward the
Suwannee River Wilderness Trail, which brings eco-tourism to
rural Florida. This is the first year of a three-year plan to
develop eco-tourism. This year, funds will go toward the
construction of three hubs and two river camps along the
Suwannee River.
- Up to $255 million
toward improving water quality in Florida’s communities
ranging from project funding to low-interest loans to local
governments.
- $300 million for
Florida Forever, America’s largest land conservation and
management program, for land acquisition and restoration
projects.
"This
budget proposal allocates state resources wisely," said David
B. Struhs. "The public will see a more focused investment of
public resources toward things that matter to them."
In
addition, this budget proposal meets the targets of a 5-percent
reduction in both General Revenue and trust funds.
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