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PALM BEACH COUNTY – Governor Jeb Bush and the
Florida Cabinet today approved the conveyance of
approximately 345 acres to the South Florida Water
Management District (SFWMD). The land will be used by
SFWMD as part of the Acceler8 Program, designed to
fast-track Everglades restoration.
“Conveying this land to the South Florida Water
Management District further accelerates the largest
environmental restoration effort in this nation’s
history,” said Department of Environmental Protection
Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “Expanding the stormwater
treatment areas helps clean the water flowing into the
Everglades, helping to restore Florida’s estuaries and
famed River of Grass.”
With today’s approval, the SFWMD will have the final
parcel of land needed to expand the Everglades
Agricultural Area Stormwater Treatment Area by 20,000
acres, enhancing the performance of 36,000 acres of
wetlands already built by the state. Part of the
Everglades Forever Act, the constructed wetlands clean
stormwater runoff pollution from water flowing into the
Everglades.
Announced by Governor Bush one year ago, Acceler8 is
stepping up the pace of funding, design and construction
to complete eight critical Everglades restoration
projects over seven years. At substantial savings to
taxpayers, the projects will restore 100,000 acres of
wetlands, expand water treatment areas by close to
20,000 acres and provide 418,000 acre-feet of additional
water storage for Everglades restoration a decade ahead
of schedule.
Restoring America’s Everglades is reviving habitat
for more than 60 threatened and endangered species,
establishing a reliable supply of water for millions of
Floridians and providing flood control consistent with
the restoration -- a benefit underscored by the impact
of 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 invested $1 billion and committed an additional $2.5
billion through the end of the decade to clean up and
restore America’s Everglades. For more information on
Acceler8, visit
www.evergladesnow.org.
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