Lessons Learned from Everglades Restoration

Julie A. HillEverglades Policy Associate

Natural System Managed System

68 Threatened & Endangered Species

Yikes!

Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP)

WRDA 2000 codified CERP CERP provided for 68 separate restoration

components throughout the Everglades ecosystem

50/50 shared responsibility between the State of Florida (South Florida Water Management District) and federal partners (US Army Corps of Engineers)

Although CERP was passed 8 years ago, to date no construction projects have been completed

Federal funding has not met the levels of state funding

State has contributed at a level of 2 to 1 compared with the federal partner

The WRDA process for federal authorization is one cause of delays

New ideas Water Resources Restoration Act

Authorize comprehensive ecosystem restoration projects separately from navigation and flood control projects

Replicate the WRDA framework and build upon the environmental protection mission of the US Army Corps of Engineers

Lessons Learned

1. Most importantly, be FLEXIBLE, and look at substance over process

2. Prioritize projects by anticipated ecological benefits

3. Very important to show early up-front commitment from the local sponsor to entice federal commitment

Lessons Learned, Cont.

4. Agriculture is valuable and flood protection important

BUT “savings clause” caused more problems than anticipated

5. Adaptive Management should be used to achieve benefits- don’t wait until planning efforts are perfect

Lessons Learned, Cont.

6. Work within existing procedural structures at the same time as proposing new and improved procedures

7. Focus on land acquisition at the outset

8. Develop partnerships to advance ecosystem restoration efforts nationwide

New Developments US Sugar Purchase

187,000 acres State will pay approximately $1.75 billion Funding will come primarily from certificates

of participation Early benefits for water storage and water

treatment

Natural System Managed System

Implications of US Sugar The State of Florida will no longer be able to

take on the burden of funding the majority of projects

Some projects need to be expedited in order to achieve the best possible benefits from the US Sugar purchase

The purchase could change Everglades restoration plans dramatically, so reinforces the need to be flexible