Everglades

Reviving the River of Grass
On June 24, 2008, Governor Charlie Crist announced that the South Florida Water Management District will begin negotiating an agreement to acquire as much as 187,000 acres of agricultural land in the Everglades Agricultural Area. The vast tracts would be used to reestablish a part of the historic connection between Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades to protect Florida's coastal estuaries and revive, restore and preserve the fabled River of Grass... More information >

SFWMD Begins Project to Restore Florida Bay, Everglades - C-111 Spreader Canal project will restore freshwater flows to Florida Bay, preserve clean water for Everglades National Park. (Oct. 15)

A Restoration History

Florida's Everglades for years has captured statewide as well as national commitments to protect and restore the varied ecosystems spanning the southern end of the peninsula. The most recent efforts are outlined in a number of legislative initiatives.

"The Everglades ecosystem must be restored both in terms of water quality and water quantity and must be preserved and protected in a manner that is long term and comprehensive."

~ The Everglades Forever Act (1994 / 2003 - Florida Statute No. 373.4592)

Federal legislation, beginning in 2000, created the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). Popularly known as "The Journey to Restore America's Everglades," this partnership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, South Florida Water Management District and many other federal, state, local and tribal partners is working in concert with the state legislation.

Everglades Watershed Web Sites
(or, select the Links and other tabs at the top of this page)

Everglades Research Projects

~ Everglades Expedited Projects (formerly Acceler8)

~ Northern Everglades Program

In the time since these and other state and federal legislation were enacted, substantial progress has been made. Many projects have been completed -- on time and under budget -- leading to significant milestones in this huge restoration effort.

Local Contacts

SFWMD Service Centers (Okeechobee, Orlando, Ft. Myers, Naples, Martin/St. Lucie, Broward, Miami-Dade, Fl. Keys)