Drew Wilson
A bill that would fund Everglades restoration efforts with up to $200 million a year cleared the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee Thursday with a unanimous vote.
“Today we are making great strides toward finishing a task that is important to all Floridians,” committee chairman and Bartow Republican Rep. Ben Albritton said. “By protecting the Everglades, we not only improve one of our greatest resources, we also secure the water resources needed to provide for Florida’s expanding population.”
HB 989, sponsored by Republican Reps. Gayle Harrell and Matt Caldwell, would get the money from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund, the destination for the 2014 land conservation amendment funds. The bill caps the Everglades’ share at 25 percent of the fund’s annual collections or $200 million, whichever is less.
“With the implementation of this legislation, we will ensure the state’s future funding for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and the Long-Term Plan, as well as provide significant funding for the Northern Everglades,” Caldwell said.
Under the bill, dubbed the “Legacy Florida” program, the South Florida Water Management District would get $32 million each year off the top to use for its Long Term Plan and the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program. The bulk of the rest would head to projects in the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
“By creating the ‘Legacy Florida’ program, we are taking the necessary steps to complete the decades-long restoration that will ensure Florida’s River of Grass will be enjoyed by generations to come,” Harrell said.
The bill now moves to the House Appropriations Committee, its last scheduled stop before the chamber floor. The Senate version, SB 1168 by Republican Sen. Joe Negron, has yet to be heard in committee.
