I have spent countless hours on the waters of Florida Bay. I have watched the population of South Florida grow and the health and size of the Everglades steadily decline. I can speak from experience about the inextricable link between the health of our environment and the health of our economy. The survival of the Everglades is indeed essential to residents, and there are 6.5 million of us. It is essential to business and agriculture. And, it is essential to the 13 billion-dollar-a-year tourism industry.
Today many talk about the importance of our partnership with the federal government and I would like to underscore the importance of the partnership. It was not an accident that Governor Bush appointed me to the governing board of the Water Management District. This administration is committed to restoration of the Everglades. The State of Florida has demonstrated this commitment through several changes in administrations and through several changes in political party leadership. Indeed Everglades Restoration is a bipartisan effort. I remember back in 1983 then Governor Bob Graham started the Save Our Everglades Program. Sir, we are fortunate to have your knowledge and leadership in Washington. We are especially fortunate that you now serve on the committee that will make the decision to authorize the Comprehensive Plan. The State of Florida has also benefited from the strong relationship between our two Senators and the united front taken on behalf of the Everglades. The State of Florida, under the leadership of Governor Bush intends to continue this dedication and commitment to Restoration and to the partnership we have with the federal government.
Speaking of the partnership between the State and the federal government. I would like to point out that this is a very established partnership. The federal government has played an integral role in the development of the area encompassed by the Comprehensive Plan to restore the Everglades for almost exactly 100 years, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' began surveying the Kissimmee/Okeechobee/Caloosahatchee water system to assess ways to improve navigation. Recognizing its temperate climate and good soil, the state became extremely interested in draining the land of water. It created the Everglades Drainage District as well as a funding mechanism that funded construction of a system of canals around Lake Okeechobee. However, following two devastating hurricanes that killed thousands of people south of Lake Okeechobee, in the late 1920's, the Corps, in conjunction with a newly created state agency (the Okeechobee Drainage District), improved the region's flood control ability by adding major levees.
Being an area of extremes, this region experienced major droughts for close to 15 years, followed by more devastating hurricanes in 1947. It became apparent that a master plan would have to be developed that balanced the demands for flood protection as well as reliable water supply. Congress authorized the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project in 1948. The South Florida Water Management District now serves as local sponsor to the Corps for this massive project, which includes some 1800 miles of canals and levees that run through 16 counties.
The system that was requested by the State, built by the Federal government and is now operated and maintained by the Water Management District accomplished its intended purpose. It allowed people to live and prosper on land in South Florida. Unfortunately, it did have unintended consequences for the environment. You will hear a lot today about the four interrelated factors necessary to restore the Everglades ecosystem: quantity, quality, timing, and distribution of water. Getting the water right, striking a balance and sharing adversity among the urban, agricultural and environmental demands will define success.
The fundamental concept upon which implementation of the Comprehensive Plan rests "adaptive assessment" is the key to achieving this success. This approach will allow for continuous refinements as more is learned through scientific monitoring over the 20 to 25-year period of implementation.
The importance of the adaptive assessment approach can not be over emphasized. While the Plan was developed under the leadership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District, countless scientists from many agencies, including the Everglades National Park, two Indian tribes, and many local governments, participated in development of the Plan. Overall, the Plan enjoys broad-base support. However, there are still issues close to certain interests that must be worked out along the way. And, based on the past 50 years, we know enough to know that we don't have all of the answers today.
The Comprehensive Plan before you for consideration is not the ultimate perfect plan for restoration of the Everglades. The perfect plan does not exist. As we debate the merits of the Plan before you the health of the Everglades continues to decline. It is time to move forward and we must do it together. The Plan is flexible enough to allow for needed adjustments along the way.
To fully appreciate the Plan before you for consideration you must appreciate the dynamics of the complexities involved in creating an ecosystem-wide restoration plan and realize that the interconnectedness of this vast system. The coordination efforts in developing a Plan such as this one are enormous. Within the boundaries of the Plan there are 16 counties, 150 municipalities, 2 Indian Tribes, a multitude of State and Federal agencies, utilities, agricultural interests, and environmental interests. Overlay these dynamics over the scientific complexities associated with getting the water right for a natural system that is home to an international biosphere reserve, four national parks and wildlife refuges, a national marine sanctuary, areas of special designations such as outstanding Florida waters, and numerous state parks, preserves and wildlife refuges. Developing a plan with broad base support appears insurmountable. Yet, we did it. How? It was accomplished through a comprehensive inclusive process.
The Restudy now referred to as the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan was developed by multi-agency teams and through the efforts of groups like the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida. I believe so strongly in the merits of the role the Governor's Commission played in development of the Plan that I was instrumental in the Governor Bush's decision to continue this type of process by creating the Governor's Commission for Everglades Restoration. I contend that decisions about implementation of the Comprehensive Plan should not be made outside of the process that has proven to work. Any attempt to bypass the process will only create distrust on many fronts.
The Comprehensive Plan provides the best opportunity for solving the region's environmental and waters resource problems within the region. The South Florida Water Management District strongly supports the Comprehensive Plan and the process used for developing this product. We believe the Plan is the roadmap for providing adequate water for a healthy, sustainable Everglades ecosystem as well as for maintaining urban and agriculture use.
Finally, I would like to emphasize the uniqueness of Everglades Restoration. Many of the comments today will highlight the uniqueness of the ecosystem. The international attention this ecosystem receives certainly validates this fact. As I previously stated the process used to develop a plan to restore the Everglades is also unique. And, finally the State of Florida and the local sponsor standing head to head with the federal government ready to implement this plan are also unique.
Since 1947 the State of Florida has acquired 3.4 million acres of conservation lands at a cost of $1.1 billion. In addition, the State has spent approximately $2.2 billion in other restoration activities. The State Florida and the local sponsor to the Comprehensive Plan for restoring the Everglades will pay 50% of the cost of implementation. As equal partners we will be looking for your approval for the federal government to also share the operation, maintenance and monitoring costs associated with this Plan estimated to be $175 million annually.
The South Florida Water Management District in addition to serving as local sponsor for the Comprehensive Plan is also local sponsors for the Kissimmee River Restoration Project and the C-111 Project in South Dade. In addition, our agency is solely responsible for a major restoration project designed to address water quality issues in the Everglades. This estimated cost of this long-term project known as the Everglades Construction Project is estimated over $800 million.
Today, after this hearing, there is a signing ceremony for eight critical projects. You will remember that this Committee authorized Critical Projects to allow for a jump-start on Everglades Restoration, thank you! The South Florida Water Management District will sign a project cooperation agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to serve as local sponsor for seven of the eight projects. The total estimated cost for our contribution is approximately $47 million. Are we committed? You bet we are! Are we in it for the long haul? With the investments made to date it would be irresponsible not to be!
In closing, I would like to reiterate that as we go through the legislative process toward authorization, the Committee will here many challenges to the Comprehensive Plan suggesting that more studies are needed. I strongly contend it is time to move forward and you have before you a Plan that has incorporated the flexibility to do just that in a cost effective, scientifically based way.
We the South Florida Water Management District have set a budget reserve account dedicated to the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan to the tune of $XXXX annually. We will work with the State to obtain the remainder of the necessary funds to achieve implementation. We urge you approval for the federal government to move forward on this unprecedented ecosystem restoration plan and for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to be given the flexibility to do so in a way that maximizes environmental benefits while ensuring the other needs of the region are maintained.
With that Mr. Chairman I conclude my remarks. Thank you and the committee members for the opportunity to speak today. And, thank you Mr. Chairman for your leadership and commitment to Everglades Restoration.