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KISSIMMEE RIVER -- The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
announced today that it has authorized the 2nd phase of restoration along the
Kissimmee River – the headwaters of America's Everglades. Water managers will
now commence the second phase of a half billion dollar plan to restore 28,800
acres of wetlands and reestablish a natural flow of water to 43 miles of river.
Over the next seven years, the massive environmental project will recarve
nine miles of river channel and revive habitat for more than 300 species of
wildlife. The restoration will replenish 40 square miles of floodplain and
marsh, filtering nutrients and providing water storage to benefit Lake
Okeechobee, downstream estuaries and the wider Everglades ecosystem. This phase
of restoration – slated to begin this fall – will backfill 10,000 feet of canal,
carve a new river channel and reestablish flows to replenish 11,000 acres of
wetlands.
“Florida's restoration achievements are bringing environmental returns to
Lake Okeechobee and America's Everglades, replenishing thousands of acres of
wetlands,” said DEP Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “Our focus on the entire
South Florida ecosystem is improving water quality, restoring habitat and
bringing back birdlife throughout vast areas of natural Florida.”
Flowing from Lake Kissimmee in the center of the state, the Kissimmee River
once meandered for 103 miles south to Lake Okeechobee, providing lush habitat
for fish and wildlife. In the 1960s, engineers altered the river's natural flow
for flood control. While the project provided flood protection, the
channelization drained surrounding floodplains, leading to habitat loss and a
decline in wildlife.
Today, the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers are returning areas of the Kissimmee River to historic conditions.
Eighty percent of the lands needed to complete the Kissimmee restoration --
85,000 acres -- are already in public ownership.
The first phase of restoration, completed ahead of schedule in 2001,
backfilled seven and a half miles of canal, reconnected 15 miles of river,
carved a new river channel and reestablished flow to replenish 11,000 acres of
wetlands. Scientists have already documented a threefold increase in bird
populations and improvements in water quality.
“The Corps is pleased to have acted as the construction manager for this
crucial restoration project,” said Colonel Bob Carpenter, commander of the
Jacksonville District Corps of Engineers. “Early results have exceeded all
expectations and bode well for what we can expect with Phase II. The Corps is
ready to get started with this next phase, and we pledge to move out smartly and
aggressively in support of even greater restoration success.”
“Restoration of the Kissimmee River is a classic example of how good science,
sound engineering and interagency funding all combine to yield positive
results,” said Carol Wehle, Executive Director of the South Florida Water
Management District. “Acquiring the remaining lands needed to complete the
restoration is a strategic priority for the District and we are on-track to meet
this goal in 2006.”
Reestablishment of floodplain wetlands and the associated nutrient filtration
function will result in decreased nutrient loads to Lake Okeechobee. The
restoration of the Kissimmee River floodplain will benefit populations of wading
birds and waterfowl, throughout the south Florida landscape by providing
increased feeding and breeding habitat and refuge during adverse conditions. |
