|
STUART – Governor Charlie Crist today joined Senate President Ken Pruitt, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Michael W. Sole and South Florida Water Management District Executive Director Carol Ann Wehle to tour portions of the St. Lucie River and Estuary. Together with the Florida Legislature, Governor Crist is making the restoration of the South Florida ecosystem an environmental priority. The Crist/Kottkamp recommended budget includes $190 million to improve the health of the Florida Everglades, Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.
“The health of Lake Okeechobee and the coastal estuaries is of great importance to Florida’s economy and quality of life,” said Governor Crist. “I believe we have a unique opportunity to bring about long-term protection for the northern Everglades, and I look forward to partnering with the Legislature to accomplish this historic goal.”
Governor Crist’s proposed budget includes $100 million for the Save Our Everglades Trust Fund, $50 million for the restoration of Lake Okeechobee and $40 million to improve the health of the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries.
“The Florida Legislature is taking a close look at the rehabilitation and restoration of the northern Everglades and estuaries,” said Senator Pruitt. “As elected officials, we have a responsibility to the people of Florida to develop a comprehensive solution for preserving the lake and coastal estuaries for future generations.”
Additionally, the Florida Legislature has introduced legislation that would create a plan for restoring the northern Everglades, including the coastal estuaries. The Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program would direct the Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District and Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to implement best farming practices, acquire land and construct treatment and water storage facilities north of Lake Okeechobee. The facilities would reduce pollutant loads to the lake and estuaries.
As a part of the work already underway to improve the health of Lake Okeechobee and the coastal estuaries, the South Florida Water Management District is undertaking massive construction projects designed to improve the quality, flow and distribution of water in the natural system. With groundbreaking last year, the C-44 (St. Lucie Canal) Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area will capture and treat local stormwater runoff from the 116,516-acre C-44 Basin in Martin County, decreasing flows and improving water quality into the St. Lucie Estuary.
The C-44 (St. Lucie Canal) Reservoir will store 50,600 acre-feet of water and a 6,300-acre manmade wetland will treat stormwater runoff before it enters the St. Lucie Canal and, ultimately, the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon. Currently under construction on the west coast, the C-43 Reservoir is a sister project to the C-44 Reservoir that will improve the timing and distribution of water in the Caloosahatchee River Basin.
“These massive engineering projects are already bringing environmental returns and are vital to the success of restoration,” Secretary Mike Sole said. “The State is redoubling its efforts to improve the natural system north of the lake, which ultimately will benefit the entire ecosystem. We are committed to finding additional water storage, constructing more treatment wetlands and improving land practices toward additional environmental improvement.”
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. To date, Florida has invested more than $2 billion to restore and preserve America’s Everglades and $140 million to improve the health of Lake Okeechobee.
For more information, visit
www.dep.state.fl.us/evergladesforever.
| 
