State: Cuts may affect Everglades' revival

WEST PALM BEACH -- The massive replumbing of the Everglades could be at risk if the state's money woes continue next year, environmentalists and lawmakers said.

The good news, they said, is that funding for the Everglades restoration isn't a target as the Legislature meets to trim $1-billion to balance the state's $48 billion cash-strapped budget.

"It doesn't look like they would be able to achieve much in terms of budget reductions by going after Everglades money," said Eric Draper, Florida Audubon Society's policy director.

But they aren't as confident about next year.

Environmentalists worry the state won't be able to come up with its $100-million share to fund the project when the Legislature meets in January to craft the 2002-2003 fiscal year budget.

If the economy doesn't improve, the state could face a $400-million to $1.4-billion budget shortfall next year, said Sen. Daryl Jones, D-Miami. The state hasn't released revenue projections for next year.

"At that point, you've got nearly every issue that's going to be on the table and I don't think Everglades restoration is going to be exempt," said Jones, chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Everglades Oversight.

The state and federal government share the cost of the $7.8-billion restoration, which aims over three decades to restore natural water flows, provide drinking water and improve water quality.

The cost breaks down to $400-million annually, with Florida's $200-million portion split between the state and the South Florida Water Management District and local governments.

Jones said it's especially important the state signals to Congress that it's committed to reviving the parched Everglades.

"The case will be made for their matching dollars if we have put our money in first," Jones said.

Congress in early November fully funded its share of the project for the 2002 fiscal year.

Lisa Gates, a spokeswoman for Gov. Jeb Bush, said it was too early to speculate on next year's budget. She said the governor, who is committed to repairing the Everglades ecosystem, "will continue to work hard to see through this restoration project."

The state's budget crisis comes early in the project passed by Congress a year ago, as millions of dollars are needed to buy land before construction can begin.

The pace of land acquisition is a major concern for environmentalists, who say buying should be accelerated before the land, much on the western fringe of South Florida urban areas, becomes more expensive or is swept up by developers.

The project calls for buying a total of 250,000 acres to restore wetlands and build surface reservoirs to hold drinking water for farms and cities.

'I think that the state will come up with the money," said Mary Munson, Florida director of the National Parks Conservation Association. But "it may not be the amount we feel is necessary for land acquisition."

U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, speaking this week to reporters in Washington, said he was concerned about the state's ability to pay its share, "given the cuts we have seen to public education, health care and other services in Florida."

Under the current Everglades funding plan, most of the state's portion is taken out of the general revenue budget each year, forcing it to compete with other services.

Environmentalists say the project could be kept on track and less dependent on a volatile economy if the state instead borrows money by issuing bonds.

Draper said bonds also would save money by ensuring a steady income so land that appreciates in value could be purchased faster.

Graham, a Democrat from Miami Lakes, also supports issuing bonds paid off through an unspecified tax. The governor has not weighed in on the issue, Gates said.

But others, such as state Rep. Ron Greenstein, D-Coconut Creek, oppose the measure, saying future programs financed through bonds would suffer because the state would be near its bonding limit.

The bond proposal likely will be debated during the 2002 legislative session.

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Lucy Morgan

From the Times state desk