Congressional Research Service Reports
Redistributed as a Service of the NLE*
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RS20702 - South Florida Ecosystem Restoration and the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (pdf)
4-Feb-2002; Nicole Carter; 6 p.
Update: January 27, 2003
Abstract: The Everglades, a unique network of subtropical wetlands,
is now half its original size. Many factors have contributed to
its decline, including flood control projects and agricultural
and urban development. As part of a larger restoration program
for South Florida, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) and
other federal, state, tribal, and local agencies collaborated
to develop a Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP or
the plan). CERP focuses on increasing storage of wet season waters
to provide more water during the dry season for the natural system
and urban and agricultural users. The plan consists of 68 projects
estimated to take 36 years and $7.8 billion to complete. The Water
Resources Development Act of 2000 (P.L.106-541) authorizes appropriations
for initial construction projects and their operation and maintenance.
The federal government will pay half the plans costs and an array
of state, tribal, and local agencies the other half. Major issues
associated with the plan include: development of programmatic
regulations, timely completion, coordination of restoration efforts,
effectiveness of restoration efforts, uncertainties in technologies
and costs, specifics of water allocation, and effect on the Corps
budget. Final programmatic regulations are expected early in 2003.
This report outlines the history and current conditions of the
Everglades, CERP legislation and funding, and associated issues.
It will be updated as events warrant. [read
report]
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