2008-09 Budget Furthers Protection for Florida’s Environment

TALLAHASSEE– Governor Charlie Crist today signed the State’s budget for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2008-09, reaffirming a commitment to Florida’s natural resources and promoting alternative and renewable energy technologies. With a strong commitment to maintaining critical environmental projects and programs, Governor Crist, Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp and the Florida Legislature have provided $2 billion to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to preserve and enhance water resources as well as preserve natural lands.

“I applaud Governor Crist, Lt. Governor Kottkamp and the Florida Legislature for their leadership and commitment to Florida’s environment, especially during tight budget times,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “The 2008-09 budget furthers Florida’s commitment to our environment and our people by improving water quality, conserving natural resources and recreational opportunities, encouraging investment in renewable energy, and stimulating the state’s economy.”

The 2008-09 budget includes $264.4 million to protect and restore Florida water resources, $300 million to fund the state’s land conservation program Florida Forever as well as $55.9 million to enhance recreation and public access areas. In addition, next fiscal year’s budget includes $78.75 million to promote energy diversity and conservation, encourage the development of alternative and renewable energy technologies and address climate change.

The Fiscal Year 2008-2009 budget includes:

Promoting Energy Diversity for Florida, $78.75 million – Furthering protection for Florida’s environment and citizens from the harmful impacts of climate change, the 2008-09 budget includes nearly $79 million to increase energy efficiency, stimulate development of renewable sources of energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The $78.75 million appropriation includes $5 million for the solar rebate program, $7 million for the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficient Technologies grant program and $8 million for bioenergy project grants.

The upcoming budget also includes $50 million for the Florida Energy Systems Consortium, a collection of Florida’s internationally recognized state universities focusing on research and development of innovative energy technologies and strategies, as well as $8.5 million to Florida Gulf Coast University for its solar field installation. Finally, DEP is provided $250,000 to initiate rule-making for a cap and trade program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Restoring Florida’s Waterways and Enhancing Water Supply, $264.4 million – To protect Florida’s precious water resources, it is important to develop alternative means of meeting public demand for water as well as restore the state’s waterbodies. Since 1999, Florida has invested more than $3.1 billion to upgrade and improve water and wastewater facilities and clean up stormwater pollution, funding about 1,800 projects statewide. The 2008-09 budget includes $7.7 million for alternative water supply projects as well as almost $203 million for grants and loans to upgrade and improve water systems and stormwater projects.

Also included is $15 million for the Water Restoration Action Plan to restore, protect, and sustain water resources in the Southern Water Use Caution Area. The plan includes the development of large-scale surface water reservoirs on both the Upper Kissimmee and Lower Peace Rivers to slow saltwater intrusion and support the Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems (FARMS) effort, which works to replace agricultural use of fresh groundwater with on-site surface water resources.

Conserving Florida’s Land, $300 million – Established in 1999, the 10-year, $3 billion Florida Forever program is the largest land-buying initiative in the nation, conserving environmentally sensitive land, restoring water resources and preserving important cultural and historical sites. More than two million acres throughout the state have been placed in public ownership under Florida Forever and its predecessor program, Preservation 2000 (P2000). In addition to funding land acquisition next fiscal year, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 542, extending the successful land acquisition program for another decade while also improving land management activities, increasing monitoring and reporting requirements and encouraging and accelerating public recreational access on state-owned lands.

South Florida Ecosystem Restoration, $50 million – Continuing the state’s commitment to restoring the South Florida ecosystem, the 2008-09 budget includes $50 million to fund Everglades and Lake Okeechobee restoration activities as well as protect the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers and estuaries. Restoring the ecosystem will protect water quality in the Lake, rivers and estuaries of the system as well as return a natural flow of water across America’s Everglades.

Enhancing Recreation and Public Access, $55.9 million – DEP’s state park system is one of the largest in the country, with 161 parks spanning 700,000 acres and 100 miles of sandy white beach. Last year, Florida’s expansive park system welcomed a record-breaking 19.5 million visitors and provided $936 million to local communities, generating more than 18,700 jobs. The 2008-09 budget provides $34 million to develop and enhance our state parks, aquatic preserves and greenways and trails. In addition, $21.9 million will assist local governments in protecting the state’s beaches, the first line of defense against storm surges from hurricanes and other catastrophic storms.

For more information, visit www.myflorida.com or www.dep.state.fl.us.