Everglades Restoration
News about the agreement to buy 187,000 acres of U.S. Sugar land in the EAALetter from the Everglades Coalition to Fla DCA's Tom Pelham re mining in the EAA, dated March 18, 2008
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Memo re CERP and Federal Cost Share, dated May 25, 2007
Letter from Florida's delegation to U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committee leadersThe following table was provided by Audubon and compares the Federal funding for Everglades Restoration projects by legislation enacted in 2008, Audubon recommendations for 2009 and the President’s budget request for 2009.
Audubon table showing Everglades Restoration Federal Appropriations
How WRDA 2007 passed
The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2007 provides for funding of many nationwide projects, including $1.8 billion for Everglades restoration. The President vetoed WRDA on Friday, Nov. 2, 2007. The House voted to override the veto on Nov. 6 and the Senate voted to override on Nov. 8.
Some of the Congressional response to the veto:
U.S. Representative Alcee Hastings Press ReleaseU.S. Representative Tim Mahoney Press ReleaseU.S. Representative Connie Mack Press ReleaseVeto Letter from President Bush, dated Nov. 2, 2007WRDA went to the White House, where President Bush has until Nov. 3 if he chooses to carry through on his threat to veto the bill.
Letter to the President from House leaders Letter to President Bush from SCCFAugust 2, 2007The House passed WRDA with a 381-to-40 vote. The bill is now in the Senate, and the President has threatened a veto. With a threatened veto, support is urgently needed for this crucial bill.
August 1, 2007 Final passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is within our grasp, but we need one big push before the House votes on the bill today (with the Senate vote following the House vote). WRDA is the bill that provides the Federal funding match for projects outlined in the Central Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The last WRDA bill was authorized in 2000 and has failed to be passed since. Without this Federal match the Water Management District has been funding projects such as reservoirs and Storage Treatment Areas with State money only and there is not enough to go around. The Federal match is needed for us to be able to address the problems with the water quality in the Caloosahatchee and greater region. News from the Hill is that today's vote in the House and Senate represents the best chance in years to pass this critical funding bill.
The text of the WRDA Conference Report can be found at:
http://www.rules.house.gov/110/text/110_hr1495cr.pdf
Tamiami Trail Modification Project
Letter sent by environmental groups including SCCF re Mod Waters, dated May 9, 2008The Corps of Engineers is accepting comments on the Tamiami Trail/Mod Waters project alternative
through May 9, 2008. In April 2008 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released a tentatively selected plan for the Tamiami Trail Modifications project. The plan consists of two key components: 1) a one-mile long bridge in the project area’s eastern segment, and 2) raising the level on the north side of the L-29 borrow canal by 1 foot to 8.5 feet; which will require road improvements on parts of U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail).
This tentatively selected plan is called Alternative 3.2.2.a. This plan is included in the recently completed Limited Reevaluation Report. The draft Limited Reevaluation Report has been placed on the Web and a 30-day public comment period is open through May 9, 2008. Construction on the project could begin later this year. The report can be viewed at :
http://www.saj.usace.army.mil/dp/mwdenp-c111/index.htm#ttmBackgroundTamiami Trail Modifications are part of the Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park project, originally authorized by Congress in 1989. The project will make improvements to this east-west road in Miami-Dade County to increase the water flow south to Everglades National Park. It will enhance the hydrology of the Everglades wetlands north of the road, as well.
The Everglades National Park Protection and Expansion Act of 1989, Public Law 101-229, (1989 Act), authorized:
- the expansion of Everglades National Park;
- a change to more natural water deliveries to the Park and;
- flood damage reduction measures for the area known as the eight and one-half square mile area.
Of the three activities, there still has been no change in water deliveries to the Park. Without a change in water delivery to the Park, restoration of the Everglades, and many of the projects authorized as components of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) in 2000, will not succeed.
To achieve more natural water deliveries to the Park, it is necessary to modify the way water crosses under the Tamiami Trail Highway (U.S. 41) through the Everglades. Nearly 18 years have passed since the 1989 Act, and the restoration of more natural water flows has not occurred. There is concern that continuing re-analysis of options for modifying water deliveries could cause loss of funding for the project.
Letter from Florida's U.S. Congressional Representatives to State Representatives re Everglades Funding, dated April 1, 2008This page is currently under construction. Our apologies for any inconvenience and please check back. Posted 4/21/08.