EVERGLADES ECONOMY

Since 2000, we have seen a number of Everglades restoration projects advance toward completion.  Projects like the Picayune Strand which are not even completed yet, are already showing substantial habitat improvements for the endangered Florida panther and bald eagle as well as the iconic Florida black bear.

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Other projects that pre-date the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan are also nearing completion and showing better-than-expected improvements.  For example, the Kissimmee River Restoration Project is not yet completed, but has shown dramatic improvements in waterfowl numbers, fish populations, and water quality conditions.  This project has also provided water managers with increased water storage capacity during periods of heavy rainfall, which helps to manage water levels and water quality conditions downstream in Lake Okeechobee.  Finally, the modifications of Tamiami Trail—including the construction of 3.3 miles of bridges—has allowed for enormous increases in flow restoration into northeast Shark River Slough.  This has resulted in a transformation of the marsh plant community toward a more natural state and has allowed for sustained flows toward the mangrove coast and Florida Bay.

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Everglades restoration projects include essential water infrastructure that:

• Improves Lake Okeechobee health.

• Restores the Kissimmee River and its floodplain.

• Cuts unwanted discharge of Lake Okeechobee water to the east and west coasts.

• Restores the flow of clean freshwater from Lake Okeechobee through the Everglades all the way to Florida Bay.

• Improves the quantity and quality of freshwater flows to estuaries such as Biscayne Bay, Caloosahatchee River Estuary, St. Lucie River Estuary, and Lower Indian River Lagoon.

• Ensure flood protection and water supply necessary to sustain our growing South Florida economy.

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Restoration projects that have been completed or are near completion are working and already showing substantial habitat improvements and return on investment (ROI).  These include: Picayune Strand, Kissimmee River Restoration, and the construction of bridges along Tamiami Trail (US-41).

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