Everglades plan gets boost

A coalition of various interests offers full support for a $1.4-billion first phase.

By JOHN BALZ

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 7, 2000

Major players in the Everglades restoration project, who have a long history of acrimonious disagreement, threw their weight Wednesday behind the first step in the ambitious $8-billion plan to save the fragile ecosystem.

A coalition of leading environmental groups, Florida's agriculture industry, Gov. Jeb Bush's office and South Florida water utilities reached the agreement after a closed door meeting late Tuesday night. They offered full support for the first phase, a $1.4-billion, 35-project proposal approved by the Senate Environment and Public Works committee in late June.

Questions remain whether the legislation, yet to even be considered in the House, will have enough time to make it through Congress in this abridged final session.

Altogether, the expensive and precedent-shattering restoration plan involves 68 engineering projects over 36 years designed to pump fresh, clean water back into the Everglades and to let water flow naturally through the wetlands. It includes building more than 300 wells and above ground aquifers, creating new wetlands and eliminating almost 250 miles of canals.

Critics of the plan worried about how and where water would be allocated, the potential for cost overruns and the role of the Interior Department. But Bob Dawson, a lobbyist for the Florida Home Builders Association, sugar industry and agriculture groups, said Wednesday's agreement is a "major breakthrough."

Both Florida senators, Bob Graham, a Democrat, and Connie Mack, a Republican, applauded the compromise in a joint statement, saying the broad support is a sign of commitment toward protecting and revitalizing the "River of Grass."

The agreement does not guarantee passage of legislation before a new administration takes office, but Stuart Strahl, the National Audubon Society vice president who leads the group's Everglades restoration effort, said having the coalition "in the same boat, rowing in the same direction" is a positive sign.

The Clinton administration supports the restoration project, but for a bill to reach the president's desk, passing Senate legislation in the next two weeks is crucial, said Tom Adams, a spokesman for the Audubon Society.

"This coalition used to be the Hatfields and the McCoys," he said. "Now they've made peace and we're going to work hard to get something done."

Reaching an agreement this week seemed unlikely Tuesday afternoon, but the late night meeting reassured all the parties involved that their interests could and would be met.

Gov. Bush's office, one of the last major parties to cement its support, said that instituting this Everglades project is a top priority. Under the current plan, Florida would pay roughly half of the $8-billion, with the rest coming from the federal government.

No legislation now is under review by the House, but U.S. Rep. Clay Shaw, R-Fort Lauderdale, said he will introduce a bill shortly that can stand on its own or be incorporated into existing water resource legislation.

The Miccosukee Tribe, which resides in the heart of the Everglades, remains opposed to the plan, although representatives were not available for comment.

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