FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  September 23, 2004
CONTACT: Russell Schweiss, (850) 245-2112

Florida Approves Plan to Restore America's Everglades

--Second phase of Southern Golden Gates restoration receives DEP approval--

AMERICA’S EVERGLADES – Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille today placed the State’s seal of approval on the final phase to restore 50,000 acres of wetlands in America's Everglades. Florida accelerated construction of the first phase, breaking ground last year to return the sheetflow of water to an undeveloped subdivision east of Naples seven years ahead of schedule.

“Already ahead of schedule, this project restores one of America’s greatest treasures,” said Governor Jeb Bush. “Returning a more natural flow of water to the Everglades not only benefits wildlife habitat, but also improves water quality and provides flood protection.”

In the 1960s, the Gulf American Land Corporation began developing thousands of acres of the Everglades known as Southern Golden Gate Estates. After dredging miles of canals, constructing nearly 300 miles of roads and selling lots, the company went bankrupt. As part of a joint commitment to restore the Everglades, the State and federal government invested more than $100 million to acquire nearly 20,000 parcels in the development.

Southern Golden Gate Estates is the first project of the $8 billion, 30-year partnership to save the River of Grass. Less than a year after Florida began restoring the failed development, two miles of filled canals are reducing freshwater drainage of the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve, elevating groundwater levels and replenishing the wetland habitat. Clearing exotic plants along canal banks is speeding the return of natural vegetation to the area.

“Florida is keeping its commitment to the Everglades,” said Secretary Castille. “Restoration of the famed River of Grass is producing environmental results – saving endangered wildlife, restoring wetlands and replenishing underground water supplies.”

As canal plugging continues, engineers will remove 25 miles of roads to restore the sheetflow of water. Improving water flow will restore habitat over two miles surrounding the filled sections of canal. Over time, natural wetland vegetation will replace the landscape currently dominated by exotic plants and cabbage palms.

Secretary Castille today also approved the placement of culverts south of Southern Golden Gate Estates under Tamiami Trail, which traverses the Everglades. The construction will allow the restored flow of water to replenish the Ten Thousand Islands Wildlife Refuge, restore habitat and improve water quality south of the trail.

Henry Dean, executive director of the South Florida Water Management District, said, “Southern Golden Gate restoration is the crown jewel of Everglades Restoration in southwest Florida. We could not be more pleased with the department’s efforts to expedite the approval process to implement restoration.”

With more than 254,000 acres of land needed to complete restoration of the Everglades already in public ownership, Florida’s share of Everglades restoration is ahead of schedule and under budget. Since 2000, Governor Bush has committed more than $2.5 billion through the end of the decade to clean up and restore the unique mosaic of sawgrass prairies, hardwood hammocks, cypress swamps, coastal lagoons, mangroves and pinelands.

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