JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – John Paul Woodley, Jr. Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, and the Honorable Mark Foley, U.S. Representative for Florida’s sixteenth Congressional District, was the keynote speakers at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, on Friday, to mark the completion of the Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area, a critical Everglades Restoration Project.

“You are accomplishing something very special here in south Florida, and you are establishing a model for the rest of the nation,” said Woodley. “Progress in restoring America’s Everglades is being made on many fronts, and President Bush and his staff are fully committed to ensuring that this precious natural resource is preserved for future generations.”

Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area is one of nine critical projects authorized by Congress in 1996 to provide immediate benefits to the south Florida ecosystem. The project will improve the water quality and environmental components of the North Fork Aquatic Preserve, St. Lucie River estuary and the Indian River Lagoon, by providing relief from damaging freshwater discharges. It will allow cleaner storm water to be released to the estuary in more moderated quantities, leading to more consistent salinity levels year-round. Sediment and nutrient loads will also be reduced.

Together with other Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects, Ten Mile Creek Water Preserve Area will result in expected improvements in fish populations, sea grasses, oyster beds, and overall improvement in the health of the Indian River Lagoon, the most biologically diverse estuary in North America.

“This is a great day for South Florida – for our environment and wildlife, for our visitors and residents, for our businesses and economy,” DEP Secretary Castille said. “This new facility brings two benefits: fewer nutrients in the water and less freshwater being released into the estuary - helping to revive and improve the health of the St. Lucie River, St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon.”

“We are thrilled to see the completion of one of the first of many projects being built strictly to ‘get the water right.’ The South Florida Water Management District is committed to constructing projects now that will improve our ability to store and clean the waters of our rivers, lakes and estuaries,” said SFWMD Executive Director Carol Ann Wehle. “The success of projects like this is directly related to the strength of the federal, state, regional and local partnership team behind it. This commitment to getting construction under way without delay is vital if our Everglades are truly going to experience a restoration!”

For more information, contact the Jacksonville District Corporate Communication Office at 904-232-1106 or the South Florida Water Management District at 561-682- 6197.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday to mark the completion of construction at the Lake Okeechobee Water Retention and Phosphorus Removal Project at Taylor Creek/Nubbin Slough. Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, John Paul Woodley, Jr., and Secretary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Colleen Castille, will be the keynote speakers.

The Lake Okeechobee Water Retention and Phosphorus Removal Project at Taylor Creek/Nubbin Slough is a critical restoration project. The purpose of these Stormwater Treatment Areas is to reduce phosphorus loadings into the project’s basin and in the water entering Lake Okeechobee.

"This milestone can be likened to one 'small step' and a 'giant leap' forward in our journey to restore America's Everglades," said Woodley. "It's wonderful to see this fruit of our labor and look forward to the day when we will claim victory in this worthy endeavor. Everglades restoration is a national priority, and working together, we expect nothing less than total success."

“It is, indeed, an exciting day as we join with our partners to dedicate these stormwater treatment areas into service to improve the water quality of Lake Okeechobee and the estuaries. These projects are an important first step in the state’s aggressive program now under way to restore our treasured natural resources,” said SFWMD Executive Director Carol Ann Wehle. “We recognize that the issue facing our environment today cannot be solved through a business-as-usual approach. As a result, we have completely committed the district’s resources and energies to the turn-dirt construction projects that will get our ‘water right.’ We challenge other governments and groups to join us in our commitment to less talk and more action!”

“We are here to celebrate the completion of yet another component in our Lake Okeechobee restoration efforts – proof positive that we are committed to getting the job done,” Secretary Castille said. “Improving water quality in Lake Okeechobee is a top priority in the nation’s largest ecosystem restoration effort. Not only will the new marshes provide cleaner water, but they will also improve wildlife habitats and expand recreational opportunities for the surrounding communities.”

JUPITER – More than 250 residents, students, researchers and environmental professionals converged at the Jupiter Community Center for the 3^rd Annual Loxahatchee River Watershed Science Symposium as experts shared developments in water and land management plans to protect this unique watershed.

“The evolution of watershed management in Florida is embodied in the past, present and future of this Wild & Scenic River,” said DEP Director of Ecosystem Projects Kim Shugar. “Growth and development pressures resulted in the alteration of this precious ecosystem several decades ago. Today, scientific progress and public involvement have enabled local, state and federal agencies to implement more than a dozen initiatives to protect and restore this unique river system.”

Attendees received updates and technical presentations on projects that will restore and safeguard the Loxahatchee River and its estuary including aquatic and wetland biology, endangered species, environmental restoration, exotic species, watershed planning and protection and water quality.

Part of the $10.5 billion plan to save America’s Everglades, the state is boosting water flow to the Northwest Fork of the Loxahatchee to restore freshwater habitat through water storage, canal widening and new water control structures. Freshwater levels historically flowing from the Everglades to the river’s 9.5-mile Northwest Fork were lowered in the 1950s and 1960s after the construction of canals, levees and roads. The dredging of the Jupiter Inlet also contributed to the movement of saltwater into the Northwest Fork.

The Loxahatchee River is one of only two federally-designated National Wild & Scenic Rivers in Florida. The Seminole Indians named the river Loxahatchee meaning “river of turtles.” The coffee-colored river is home to a variety of wildlife including otters, herons, alligators and bobcats, and borders a subtropical swamp with ancient bald cypress trees, pond apples, orchids and osprey.

Symposium partners included the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Atlantic University Center of Environmental Studies, South Florida Water Management District, Friends of the Loxahatchee River, Jupiter Inlet District, Loxahatchee River Coalition, Loxahatchee River District, Martin County, Palm Beach County and University of Florida.

For more information on the Loxahatchee River Watershed Science Symposium, visit www.riverfirst.com.