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STUART – Governor Charlie Crist today marked
another milestone in Florida’s environmental history,
signing a “green” law that expands the restoration of
the famed River of Grass to Lake Okeechobee and the
farthest northern reaches of the Everglades ecosystem.
The bill provides the plan, schedule and a dedicated
infusion of funding for improving and protecting the
health of the northern Everglades, including Florida’s
largest freshwater lake and its surrounding coastal
estuaries.
The bill signing ceremony occurred at Stuart City
Hall, located on the St. Lucie River, with Senate
President Ken Pruitt and bill sponsor Senator Burt
Saunders (R-Naples). Senate Bill 392 was sponsored in
the House of Representatives by Representatives Stan
Mayfield (R-Vero Beach) and Trudi Williams (R-Fort
Myers) and was strongly supported by Senate President
Ken Pruitt (R-Port St. Lucie) as well as the
environmental community.
“This legislation is another milestone in Florida’s
unprecedented efforts to protect America’s Everglades,
and I applaud House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate
President Ken Pruitt for their leadership on this
historic legislation,” said Governor Crist. “Florida’s
economy and quality of life are connected to the health
and long-term protection of Lake Okeechobee, the coastal
estuaries and the northern Everglades. It is imperative
that we protect this unique ecosystem for residents and
visitors alike to enjoy today and for generations to
come.”
Passed unanimously by the Florida Legislature on May
2, the law expands the Lake Okeechobee Protection Act to
safeguard and restore the entire northern Everglades
system, including the Lake Okeechobee watershed as well
as the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie rivers and
estuaries. Over the next two years, the law calls for
the development of far-reaching plans to protect and
improve the quality, quantity, timing and distribution
of water north of Lake Okeechobee. These plans will
augment and enhance restoration currently underway in
the remnant Everglades south of the lake.
"This legislation signifies Florida's continued
extraordinary commitment to protecting and restoring
America’s Everglades and Florida’s quality of life,"
said Department of Environmental Protection Secretary
Michael W. Sole. "Developing a comprehensive plan and
schedule for increasing water storage, enhancing
treatment and improving best farming practices north of
Lake Okeechobee will ultimately serve to enhance and
improve the entire South Florida ecosystem."
As part of the plan to improve the health of the
northern Everglades, Florida will set aside land,
construct treatment wetlands and identify the water
storage areas needed to improve the quality, timing and
distribution of water into the natural system.
Additionally, the protection plans for Lake
Okeechobee and the coastal estuaries will require
improved best farming practices, the use of the best
available “green” technologies to clean up pollutants,
more stringent regulations for the application of
wastewater residuals in the watershed and an accelerated
timeline for implementing a Total Maximum Daily Load for
the Caloosahatchee. The law requires the South Florida
Water Management District to develop the protection
plans in cooperation with the Department of
Environmental Protection, the Department of Agriculture
and Consumer Services and affected local governments –
including Lee, Hendry, Charlotte, Glades, Okeechobee,
Martin and St. Lucie counties.
"The South Florida Water Management District is
grateful for the leadership and vision of Governor Crist,
President Pruitt, Senator Saunders, Speaker Rubio,
Representative Mayfield, Representative Williams, and
the Florida Legislature in recognizing the importance of
the northern Everglades to the health of South Florida's
environment and economy,” said Carol Ann Wehle,
Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management
District. “This law recognizes the interconnectivity of
the entire Everglades ecosystem, from the Kissimmee
Chain of Lakes south to the Florida Bay. Decades from
now, our grandchildren will be grateful for this
historic step.”
Underscoring Florida’s commitment to Everglades
restoration, the law extends the Save Our Everglades
Trust Fund for 10 years through 2020 and expands its
purpose. Florida’s 2007-08 budget, passed by the
legislature and signed by Governor Crist, includes $200
million for the restoration and protection of the River
of Grass, allocating $100 million for Everglades
restoration, $54 million for the restoration of Lake
Okeechobee, as well as $40 million to protect the health
of the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries. | 
