Statement from John Adornato III, Sun Coast Senior Regional Director for National Parks Conservation Association
“We celebrate the Florida State Land Acquisition Trust Fund that will dedicate at least $200 million to Everglades restoration annually for 10 years, for the first time ever. The “Legacy Florida” bill will put $100 million of that funding towards planning, design engineering, and construction of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), moving projects forward to restore America’s Everglades.
“This is an incredibly important victory for Everglades restoration and is the first time in state history we have a dedicated funding stream to support Everglades restoration. This is also a big win for Florida voters. The Florida State Land Acquisition Trust Fund will use this money directed by Amendment 1, supported by 75 percent of Florida voters in 2014.
“We commend State Speaker Steve Crisafulli, Representatives Gayle Harrell and Heather Fitzenhagen, and State Senator Joe Negron for their leadership in seeing that this critical funding be used for Everglades restoration.
“With the centennial celebration year of our National Park Service upon us, this funding will support Everglades restoration projects that benefit Everglades and Biscayne national parks, including the Central Everglades Planning Project and the Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands Project. These projects, among others, will help send water south from Lake Okeechobee through Everglades National Park into Florida Bay.”
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About National Parks Conservation Association
Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than one million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s natural, historic, and cultural heritage for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.
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