TALLAHASSEE – Governor Jeb Bush and Lt.
Governor Toni Jennings today unveiled their budget
priorities for the next year, earmarking funds to
increase protection for Florida’s natural resources
and secure the state’s energy future. The
Bush/Jennings administration reaffirmed its
commitment to environmental protection, allocating
funds to restore America’s Everglades, conserve
Babcock Ranch, fight pollution and launch Florida’s
new energy strategy.
“Under the guidance of Governor Bush, Florida has
surfaced as a national leader in preserving land,
promoting advanced, clean technologies and restoring
ecosystems,” said Department of Environmental
Protection Secretary Colleen M. Castille. “The
Governor’s approach demonstrates how environmental
protection can go hand in hand with economic
growth.”
In continuing its strong commitment to fiscal
discipline, the Bush/Jennings administration’s
recommendations provide debt-free natural resource
protection with $710 million in cash to fund the
acquisition of the 74,000-acre Babcock Ranch, the
Florida Forever program and Everglades restoration.
Other environmental highlights include: $35 million
for Save Our Everglades; $25 million for Lake
Okeechobee Restoration; $20 million for Keys
Wastewater Management Plan and $35 million for Water
Restoration Projects.
The Bush/Jennings budget for the 2006-07 fiscal
year includes:
Preserving Babcock Ranch, $310 million (pay cash
in lieu of issuing new debt) -- Setting the path for
one of the largest and most unique purchases in
Florida’s history, Governor Bush is proposing $310
million for the purchase of Babcock Ranch. The
74,000-acre purchase will preserve the single
largest tract of contiguous conservation lands in
the state’s history, while at the same time
providing a vitally needed water-recharge area for
Southwest Florida.
Conserving Florida’s Land, $300 million (pay cash
in lieu of issuing new debt) – Established by
Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature in 2001,
the 10-year, $3 billion Florida Forever program is
the largest land buying initiative in the nation,
conserving environmentally sensitive land, restoring
water resources and preserving important cultural
and historical places. Since January 1999, more than
1.2 million acres have been placed in public
ownership throughout the state under Florida Forever
and its predecessor program, Preservation 2000
(P2000).
Restoring America’s Everglades, $135 million (pay
$100 million cash in lieu of issuing new debt) --
Through continued funding, the Bush administration
is moving forward with the restoration of the famed
River of Grass, returning a natural flow of water
across the 2.4 million-acre marsh. Including cash
and bonds, Florida’s total financial commitment
toward the $8 billion restoration now tops $3
billion. This year’s allocation includes $25 million
to complete coastal wetlands in Biscayne Bay and $10
million for water storage around the Loxahatchee
River.
Saving Lake Okeechobee, $25 million -- In October
2005, Governor Bush unveiled a comprehensive plan to
accelerate the restoration and recovery of Lake
Okeechobee, the heart of America’s Everglades. The
Administration is requesting $25 million to expand
water storage areas, construct treatment marshes and
expedite environmental management initiatives to
enhance the ecological health of the lake and
downstream coastal estuaries, the St. Lucie and
Caloosahatchee Rivers.
Protecting Florida’s Water, $228.5 million – The
Bush/Jennings budget expands funding for water
improvement projects throughout the state,
strengthening protection for Florida's water. Under
the leadership of Governor Bush and the Legislature,
Florida has invested nearly $2 billion to improve
wastewater treatment, clean up stormwater pollution
and upgrade drinking water facilities, funding more
than 950 projects statewide since 1999. During the
last six years, the State Revolving Fund Program
awarded more than $1.3 billion to plan, design and
build water facilities across the state, including
nearly $290 million last year.
Managing Florida’s Growth, $100 million – As part
of Florida’s landmark growth reform, the Water
Protection and Sustainability Program was created
last year to support water-related programs such as
Total Maximum Daily Loads, Surface Water Improvement
Management and Disadvantaged Small Community
Wastewater Grants. The program also includes $60
million for alternative water supply development
projects such as desalination, reuse and reservoirs.
Through proactive water supply planning, local water
suppliers can qualify for state and regional
financial incentives by choosing alternative
projects from water management districts’ regional
water supply plans. To date, the state has approved
nearly 100 alternative water supply projects through
the Water Protection and Sustainability Program.
Protecting Florida’s Springs, $2.5 million -- For
the sixth consecutive year, the Administration is
recommending $2.5 million for the Florida Springs
Initiative, a comprehensive and coordinated program
that increases protection for Florida’s 700
freshwater springs. Known as “bowls of liquid
light,” springs are early gauges of trends in
Florida’s drinking water quality and quantity.
Enhancing Ecotourism and Recreation, $82.4
million – Florida’s sandy beaches, state parks and
aquatic preserves are home to thousands of species
of plants and animals, draw millions of visitors to
our state annually and provide an economic engine
for many rural communities. In 2006-07, the Bush
administration is proposing another $38 million to
protect the state’s beaches, the first line of
defense against storm surges from hurricanes and
other catastrophic storms. The Bush/Jennings
administration’s budget includes $41.3 million for
the nationally award winning state park system that
includes $1 million to continue building the network
of trails, cabins and campgrounds along the Suwannee
River Wilderness Trail, including Lafayette Blue
Spring State Park, and $3.1 million for the final
phase of funding requested for the Apalachicola
Environmental Education Center.
For more information, visit
www.myflorida.com or
www.FloridaDEP.org.
2010 State of Florida