Statement on the Everglades Restoration Act
Statement of Rodger Schlickeisen, Defenders of Wildlife President
(06/27/2000) - The Florida Everglades is one of our nation's and nature’s crown jewels. For generations, tourists from the U.S. and around the world have come to see this unique place and the wildlife that depend upon it. The Everglades is home to more than 300 bird species, 11,000 species of plants, and numerous species of fish and marine mammals like the endangered Florida manatee. The Everglades also provides some of the last remaining habitat for 68 federally listed threatened or endangered species, including the American crocodile and the Florida panther.But, the Everglades is dying. Years of draining its wetlands and encroachment by an ever-increasing Florida population have taken a toll on the now endangered ecosystem. Water, the most fundamental resource in the Everglades, has been diverted and rerouted out to sea, away from the plants and animals that need it. Despite these problems, restoration of the Everglades is within sight. Last year, the Army Corps of Engineers released an ambitious and historic blueprint for restoring this troubled treasure. The stage is now set for an historic commitment to restoring Florida’s River of Grass . and the unimaginable is now possible.
The time has now come for Congressional action to implement fully the Corps’ bold vision. Since assuming the chairmanship of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Robert Smith has demonstrated a strong commitment to Everglades Restoration. We applaud the Senator’s commitment and leadership in introducing the Everglades Restoration Act.
This is a critical year for the Everglades and Congress must act quickly to ensure protection of one of America’s greatest treasures. The Everglades Restoration Act provides an important starting point. In the coming weeks, we look forward to working with Senator Smith and members of his committee to further refine and perfect this vitally important legislation. In particular, key issues in need of further definition include establishing an independent scientific peer review by the National Academy of Sciences for the life of the project and a guarantee that the Everglades’ natural system receives its needed water before other users. With Senator Smith’s continued leadership, we are confident that Congress will not miss this historic opportunity to restore the Everglades ecosystem.
Contact(s):
Cat Lazaroff, (202) 772-3270
