Plan to Deliver Clean Water to Everglades National Park Goes to Congress

Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO for National Parks Conservation Association

“A plan to begin construction of the desperately needed Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir was sent to Congress today and must be included as they plan to move water infrastructure legislation through the Water Resources Development Act. Everglades National Park is parched for freshwater, while polluted water from Lake Okeechobee continues to inundate Florida’s coastal estuaries, causing blue-green algae blooms that are dangerous to public health, the environment and the economy. Native seagrass, wading birds, fish, and other national park species face catastrophic consequences unless Lake Okeechobee’s polluted water is treated, and freshwater is restored to Everglades National Park.

“The proposed Everglades Reservoir will deliver clean water to Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys, while reducing the toxic lake discharges inundating the algae-stricken estuary communities by as much 50 percent.

“Now is the time to act. Congress must include the Everglades Reservoir plan in the water resource bill to provide relief to Florida’s communities and restore America’s Everglades.”

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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 1.3 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.