FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 27, 2015
CONTACT: Governor's Press Office, 850-717-9282, media@eog.myflorida.com
GOV. SCOTT ANNOUNCES $5 BILLION OVER 20 YEARS TO RESTORE THE EVERGLADES
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Also
proposes additional $150 million for land acquisition and management to help
protect the Florida panther
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MIAMI, Fla. – Today,
Governor Rick Scott proposed a dedicated source of revenue that will provide
more than $5 billion for Everglades restoration over the next 20 years as part
of his 2015-2016 “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget. If passed by the
Legislature, $150 million will go towards Everglades restoration this year. In
addition, Governor Scott’s proposed budget also includes $150 million that will
be allocated toward land acquisition and management which will focus in part on
protecting land for the Florida panther.
Governor Scott said, “Florida has an abundance of natural
resources that help create a foundation for our growing economy, whether it is
driving our state’s tourism industry or providing a great quality of life that
has attracted families to our state for generations. During my first term, we
made historic investments in our springs and Everglades and I am proud to
continue to make important investments in our environment this year. We
will keep working to make sure we preserve our natural treasures so Florida can
continue to be a top destination for families, visitors and businesses.”
As part of the $5 billion investment, Governor Scott is
committed to fully funding the state’s share of the restoration of the
Kissimmee River and the construction of the C-43 and C-44 reservoirs over the
next four years. Collectively these projects will provide more than 100
billion gallons of storage to protect our estuaries from discharges of water
from Lake Okeechobee. The dedicated source of funding for Everglades
restoration will also allow for the Department of Environmental Protection and
the South Florida Water Management District to identify and fund additional
storage projects in the future – and provide the certainty that a restored
Everglades will become a reality.
The
Governor will release his full “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget recommendations
this week.
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