FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 14, 2004
CONTACT: Jacob Dipietre, (850) 488-5394

Governor Bush Accelerates Restoration of America's Everglades

--Eight key environmental projects to be completed 10 years ahead of schedule--

AMERICA'S EVERGLADES - Joined by a host of environmental advocates, Governor Jeb Bush today unveiled an ambitious plan to accelerate the restoration of America's Everglades. As part of the $8 billion state-federal partnership to restore the River of Grass, Florida is stepping up the pace to complete critical environmental projects more than a decade ahead of schedule.

"Florida is strengthening its commitment to the Everglades by further accelerating the largest environmental restoration effort in this nation's history," said Governor Jeb Bush. "Completing critical restoration projects more than 10 years ahead of schedule will provide immediate environmental, social and economic benefits."

The culmination of months of discussion with their federal partners, Florida is speeding up funding, design and construction to complete eight Everglades restoration projects over the next seven years. At substantial savings to taxpayers, the projects include construction of close to 20,000 acres of treatment marsh, which use plants to clean pollution from water flowing into the Everglades. In addition, above ground reservoirs will offer 418,000 acre-feet of water storage -- the same capacity as six million residential swimming pools.

"Florida's determination to accomplish results at less cost demonstrates our commitment to this massive environmental endeavor," said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille. "Our strategic investment will revive wildlife habitat, improve flood control and deliver 50 percent of the surface water storage needed to replenish the entire 2.4 million-acre marsh."

Accelerated projects include:

• Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands will restore the quantity, quality, timing and distribution of freshwater to Biscayne Bay, expand coastal wetlands, revive marine habitat and improve the health of Biscayne National Park.
• C-111 Spreader Canal will provide a more natural sheet-flow to Florida Bay eliminating harmful freshwater discharges and revitalizing wetlands and wildlife habitat in the Southern Glades and Model Lands.
• C-43 West Storage Reservoir will capture and store stormwater runoff and freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee to protect coastal estuaries. The 160,000 acre-feet reservoir will also provide a reliable supply of water for the Caloosahatchee Estuary along with nearby farms and residential areas.
• C-44 Reservoir/Stormwater Treatment Area will capture and treat excess stormwater runoff before it enters the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon. The project includes construction of 4,000 acres of treatment marsh along with a 4,000 acre, 10 foot deep above-ground reservoir.
• Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir Phase 1/Bolles and Cross Canals will protect coastal estuaries and reduce the flow of nutrients into the Everglades by capturing and storing freshwater releases from Lake Okeechobee, along with agricultural stormwater runoff, in a 190,000 acre-feet above ground reservoir.
• Everglades Agricultural Area Stormwater Treatment Area Expansion will enhance the performance of 40,000 acres of wetlands already built by the state and construct an additional 4,500 acres of treatment marsh.
• Southern Golden Gate Estates will restore a natural flow of water to Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge, restore wildlife habitat, improve the quality and quantity of water delivered to coastal estuaries and maintain flood protection.
• Five Water Preserve Areas will provide a buffer between natural and developed areas and divert urban runoff into constructed and natural storage areas.

"Sound environmental and financial management is putting Everglades restoration ahead of schedule at considerable savings," said Henry Dean, Executive Director for the South Florida Water Management District. "We are delivering environmental results faster and making water available for nature quicker than originally planned."

With more than 254,000 acres of the land needed to complete Everglades restoration already in public ownership, remaining parcels will be acquired at today's prices avoiding future expenses from rising property values. While creating construction and engineering jobs in South Florida, labor and materials will also be purchased at today's prices.

"The Administration enthusiastically endorses and welcomes the Governor's new 'Acceler8' initiative," said James L. Connaughton, chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality. "It will help us in our joint efforts to restore the Everglades faster and more efficiently and effectively. Our federal agencies will not only be able to help the State achieve dramatic results on a faster pace for these eight projects, but Acceler8 will free up resources to allow the Administration to focus on completing other critical CERP projects and the Modified Water Deliveries Project."

Restoring America's Everglades is reviving habitat for more than 60 threatened and endangered species, establishing a reliable supply of water for more than 8 million Floridians and providing flood control consistent with the restoration -- a benefit underscored by the impact of three hurricanes on South Florida's shores.

Under the leadership of Governor Bush, Florida forged a 50-50 state-federal partnership to implement the $8 billion Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and has committed more than $2.5 billion through the end of the decade to clean up and restore America's Everglades.