Results and Accomplishments The USDI is collaborating with the State of Florida, the South Florida Water Management District, and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers to implement the world’s largest watershed restoration project, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Designed to restore, conserve, and protect the South Florida ecosystem, Plan-inspired initiatives have reduced pollution flowing into the Everglades by almost 50 percent during the past several years. Water flows are beginning to be restored to the ecosystem, while habitat improvements are helping the recovery of endangered species.
The USDI leads the Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, consisting of state, federal and local stakeholders, and tribes. The Task Force oversees the complex engineering, legal, and environmental issues facing Everglades restoration. Accomplishments to date include:
- An agreement was made to ensure that water captured under the Everglades restoration program can be used for restoring the Everglades.
- Regulations were adopted to guide the implementation of the Everglades restoration plan.
- Key parcels of land were acquired for restoration.
- Conservation and habitat recovery projects were established for endangered species.
- $74 million was secured in FY 2004 for restoration of water flows and protection of wildlife habitat.
- As a result of the concentrated attention to Everglades restoration, the State of Florida has announced its “Acceler8” Initiative to speed-up restoration of the Everglades and signifi cantly increase water supplies.
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