FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 16, 2003
CONTACT: Jacob Dipietre, (850) 488-5394
Deena Wells, (850) 245-2112
Governor Bush Moving the Earth to Restore
Everglades
- Florida is breaking new ground - faster, cheaper
environmental restoration -
AMERICA'S EVERGLADES - Governor Jeb Bush today
joined environmental advocates from across the state as
Florida began restoring a more natural flow of water to
more than 50,000 acres of wetlands in America's
Everglades - seven years ahead of schedule. In the first
construction project of the 30-year, $8 billion state-federal
partnership to restore the famed River of Grass, workers will
remove 25 miles of roads and fill in seven miles of canals to
begin returning an undeveloped subdivision east of Naples
into the vast watery wilderness it was less than a century
ago. This is the first project starting the largest
environmental restoration in the history of the world,
which is saving the habitat of more than 60 endangered
species and replenishing underground water supplies.
"Today is a great day for not only Floridians but
all Americans," said Governor Bush. "Restoration of
America's Everglades is becoming a reality -
years ahead of schedule and tens of millions of dollars under
budget. Florida's commitment to the restoration and
protection of this natural treasure remains steadfast."
In the 1960s, the Gulf American Land Corporation began
developing thousands of acres of the Everglades as
Southern Golden Gate Estates. After selling lots,
dredging miles of canals and constructing nearly 300
miles of roads, the company went bankrupt. As part of a joint
commitment to restore the famed River of Grass, the state and
federal government invested nearly $100 million to
acquire more than 19,000 individual lots in the
abandoned subdivision.
"Thanks to the unwavering commitment of Governor
Bush, Florida is accelerating restoration of the River
of Grass," said Department of Environmental Protection
Secretary David B. Struhs. "Within the last month,
Florida began operating the largest wetland in the world
improving water quality in the Everglades, donated hundreds
of acres of land to complete the expansion of the
National Park and began restoring a more natural flow
of water to the River of Grass - all ahead of
schedule."
The plan to restore water flow through Southern
Golden Gate Estates is a key component of the
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, a 50-50
partnership between Florida and the federal government.
During the first phase of restoration, engineers
will remove roads and exotic plants and partially
backfill seven miles of Prairie Canal. When complete,
the project will reduce fresh water drainage to the
Fakahatchee Strand, replenish valuable water supplies and
restore habitat for wildlife. Florida will complete the
first phase by October 2005.
"Florida is restoring a national and natural
treasure," said South Florida Water Management District
Executive Director Henry Dean. "This monumental effort to
improve water quality and water supply is providing real-life
benefits to the people of South Florida."
The Everglades is a mosaic of sawgrass prairies, hardwood
hammocks, cypress swamps, coastal lagoons, mangroves
and pinelands. Known throughout the world for its
abundant wildlife, the Everglades is home to several
species of large wading birds such as the roseate spoonbill,
the wood stork, the great blue heron and a variety of egrets.
The mix of salt and freshwater makes it the only place on
earth where alligators and crocodiles exist side-by-side.
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