FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:   April 28, 2003
CONTACT: Deena Wells, (850)245-2112   

Statement by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection about the Florida Senate’s Unanimous Vote to Amend the 1994 Everglades Forever Act

Over the last month, the Department of Environmental Protection has worked with members of the Legislature to ensure final amendments to the Everglades Forever Act strengthen Florida’s commitment to improve water quality in the Everglades.

The bill is fundamentally different from the one proposed by the House Natural Resources Committee on April 2 and opposed by the Department. New amendments provide important environmental benefits not available before.

The Senate Bill:

• Maintains the statutory compliance deadline of December 31, 2006.
• Upholds the integrity of the stringent 10 parts per billion criterion for the entire Everglades Protection Area by establishing it as the planning goal.
• Fully funds the nearly half-billion dollar cost of optimizing treatment technologies on an enforceable 13 year schedule.
• Allows use of eminent domain to expand stormwater treatment areas if necessary.
• Establishes enforceable technology-based permit conditions.
• Requires the acceleration of phosphorous reduction whenever and wherever it becomes technically feasible.
• Makes clear that the legislation does not change or modify any State obligations under the 1992 Consent Decree between the State of Florida and federal government.
• Compliments the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) without legally binding the two parallel, but separate, programs to restore water quality and water quantity.
• Makes clear that the legislation does not modify any state or federal cost-sharing or other responsibilities for implementing CERP.

--30--