Everglades will get $50 million in funding

By Bruce Ritchie
news-press.com Tallahassee bureau

TALLAHASSEE — Everglades restoration will receive $50 million under an agreement late Sunday between House and Senate leadership. The initial agreement between the House and Senate budget chairs Sunday provided no money for restoration.

The presiding officers made changes after consulting with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The response from environmental groups was muted.

"In a tough budget year, we are relieved we got $50 million," said Eric Draper, policy director for Audubon of Florida. "We hope under a different House leadership next year we will be able to restore Everglades spending back to promised levels."

Gov. Charlie Crist had requested $100 million each for southern and northern Everglades restoration.

Department of Environmental Protection spokeswoman Sarah P. Williams said the department was grateful for the funding.

While pointing out that the governor's original request was not provided, she said, "The state of Florida remains fully committed to restoring the Everglades ecosystem and continuing our partnership with the federal government."