
In 2000, after many years of compromise and work, the stakeholders of WRAC, or the Water Resource Advisory Committee, of the SFWMD, “agreed” on a monumental Everglades restoration project called CERP, or the Central Everglades Restoration Project. This accomplishment, and that it was, was approved and celebrated through the WRDA bill signed by our federal government, with the State of Florida, giddy, cheering on. Unfortunately, only one of the 60 projects of CERP, Spreader Canal 111, has been completed in fourteen years. Moving forward with projects is torturously slow. Time goes on, people, positions, the economy, and politicians change; and we forget…http://www.evergladesplan.org/about/rest_plan_pt_01.aspx
To overcome this molasses like state/federal partnership, in 2011, the SFWMD and the ACOE came up with CEPP, fast tracking of some of the components of CERP, “to move more water south…” The goal was to complete the study and recommend to Congress in 18 months. http://www.evergladesplan.org/docs/fs_cepp_jan_2013.pdf This goal was accomplished but another Federal WRDA bill and a final OK, presently “await.”
Absolutely, Florida’s government has its problems, but in essence, the fast tracking stopped as soon as CEPP got to the Federal Government causing the people of Florida to wonder what is happening and continue fighting at home. Recently, our state government complained that “the feds” have not come forward with their promised share, and “being credited” it is an issue. Also, you hear about “cost sharing,” a complicated arrangement where the state cannot outspend the feds or visa versa. So if the feds don’t move forward after the state has spent money, the State has to just wait, and wait, and wait…
On its most basic level, the state and federal arrangement is a relationship of sorts. CERP/WRDA is a contract, kind of like a marriage or business document. In the end, if both parties don’t contribute, things go sour. The biggest problem for us in this relationship is that we are so dependent on the Federal Government and their money, ironically, just like the Sugar Farmers are dependent for their price limits through the US Farm Bill. And just like the Farm Bill, WRDA is so intertwined other other things/dependencies that have nothing to do with the original contract, that we can’t pull away, we can’t let go. We are handcuffed waiting for the money…
So the years go by, and a child grows up and votes and serves our county and has children before another Everglades CERP project is built. I say our best chance of throwing off the golden handcuffs and saving the Everglades and our dying estuary, the St Lucie River, Indian River Lagoon, is truly educating our youth on the faults and dreams of our system. They certainly can come up with something better.
Angel Jacqui, You never cease to Amaze me. How on Earth do you manage you Time. I could learn lots from You !! Could you do me a Favor please, if you get a moment would You go to my Web Fbook intracoastalecosystems.com – News page and look at what we are going through down here in PB County with dredging (MUCK) Projects that is silting anf killing our last living coral Reef on the East Coast Period !!–Lynns Reef off of Boynton Beach and Delray. I have been fighting for the IRL, but my Native LW Lagoon has also been in deep trouble from the discharging. We even lost the largest bed of Johnsons Grass in the World !! at Snook Islands, every blade DEAD !!. I found that out 2 days after returning from DC. I also grew up at Sebastian Inlet Park and Long Point which I Miss the Camping- deeply. No one ever mentions my Native 28 mile stretch of my Lake Worth Lagoon, which I have personally been restoring with PBC for Years. We are also leading the world by example in Lagoon restoration over 15 large Projects completed. I would Love to take you on a Personal Tour of Our Accomplishments, it would Blow your MIND !! Looking Forward to talking in Person. Thanks So Much For What You Do For US On A Daily Basis, You and the KIDZ ROCK !! Lee @IES Ph# 561-963-2600
Yes I would like one day a tour! Sorry just figuring out how to reply on my blog. Thanks for reading them. Your stories sound awesome Lee.
Thank you and I will. So awful.