Just six months ago, I had the privilege of again representing Governor Bush and our state by joining Vice-President Gore, Administrator Browner, Senators Graham, Rack and one of my mentors, Senator John Chafee, along with a Florida Legislative Delegation to present the Central and Southern Florida Project Comprehensive Review Study, formerly known as the Everglades Restudy, to Congress.
It was a significant moment. On July 1, 1999, the State made a commitment to act boldly, decisively, and responsibly. We pledged to act. We pledged to continue doing our part to restore the world's most unique ecosystem, Not only to replenish the Everglades, but to restore the historic balance between lard and water, protecting critical habitats and dramatically improving water quality. We pledged our resources to remove levees and reclaim billions of gallons of fresh water, yet provide necessary flood protection for what will soon be the nation's third most populous state.
The state has long understood that our federal partners would want to see vivid demonstrations of the notion "actions speak louder than words" Florida's leadership in preserving the Everglades is deafening. Since 1947, the State has purchased almost 3.4 million acres of conservation lands in the greater Everglades ecosystem at a cost of over $1.1 billion. This is in addition to the $2.2 billion that has been spent on restoration and protection activities. This year alone, the State will spend almost $155 million on Everglades protection efforts.
But what have we accomplished since jumping into action on July 1? Over the past six months:
The State has acquired, or has a contract to acquire, 80,000 acres of conservation land.
The State has allocated over $133 million for acquisition of lands identified in the Restudy. Most notable are funds for East Everglades, Belle Meade, Southern Golden Gate Estates and Southern Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem Water Projects.
The South Florida Water Management District has completed construction on Everglades Stormwater Treatment Areas 2 and 5 and now have 17,248 acres of filter marshes to cleanse the waters flowing into the Everglades.
Just two weeks ago, the State announced landmark legislation to begin the restoration of Lake Okeechobee, the headwaters of the Everglades. The initial program, to be backed with $30 million in funding, will dramatically reduce Phosphorus loads in the lake. Priority projects are part of the Restoration Plan and have also been identified as priorities by the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Working Group and Florida Audubon.
However, we recognize there is still much to do. Governor Bush stressed yesterday the need for a set of standards, a test if you will, that each plan put forth for successful and complete restoration of the Everglades must meet.
First, we must continue building consensus with as many interests as possible. We have made significant progress in this area. The recent activity surrounding Lake Okeechobee is a good example of this.
Second, decisions need to be data-driven and science based. Physical science, not political science, must guide our decisions. It is more important to get it right rather than getting it first.
Finally, there needs to be financial accountability. We have a fiduciary responsibility to the people of Florida and the nation as a whole. Tax dollars must be spent both wisely and efficiently..
There are 7 principles behind the funding of Florida's portion of the Everglades Restoration. These principles will be discussed in depth in the coming weeks but I would like to highlight three of them today.
First, Florida's funding commitment will be adequate to fully fund Florida share of the project. Second, Florida's funding commitment will not siphon resources from other statewide environmental restoration programs. And finally, Florida's funding commitment will not add to Florida's long term debt.
While the costs to implementing the Comprehensive Plan are substantial, they are within the collective reach of state and federal governments, working together. The state legislature, the South Florida: Water Management District and the executive branch of state government will work together to fund the State's share of the costs. As Governor Bush said yesterday "There should be no question about Florida's commitment to finish what we have begun."
Florida has been and will continue to be a leader in the preservation of this unique and historic area. There is no greater example of our commitment than Everglades National Park, just a short distance from here, whose 1.6 million acres is comprised mostly of state-donated land.
In 1948, just after President Harry Truman signed the legislation authorizing construction of the C&SF; project, Senator and former Governor Spessard Holland remarked, "The whole Florida delegation has stuck together in this matter and will, I am sure, continue to do so, and each member of the delegation is entitled to his full share of the credit. The Florida citizens, industries, and public units have also cooperated to the fullest degree as has the Republican delegation. I want you to remember that this is not a partisan project and should continue to merit the united efforts of all our people."
That quote is as applicable in the year 2000 as it was in 1948. We are all in this together. The stakes are high, but the rewards are even greater.
Thank you.