Everglades Land Initiatives Approved By Senate
Press Release
U.S. Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) today announced that the U.S. Senate approved two initiatives related to Everglades restoration and Everglades National Park. One of the measures expands the boundaries of the Park in the Florida Keys; the other approves a land exchange to complete all acquisitions by the National Park Service to improve water flow to the Everglades. The measures were included as part of S.22, the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act that passed the Senate today by a vote of 73 to 21.
"This underscores the federal government's continued commitment to the beautification and preservation of the Everglades," Martinez said. "The park expansion near Tarpon Basin will help to protect sensitive wetlands in the Keys, as well as several endangered species. The land exchange authorization would allow the National Park Service to acquire the last significant private inholding in the Everglades and clear the way to implement the federally-approved Modified Waters Delivery project. Mod Waters' will help restore natural water flows into Everglades National Park, and although authorized nearly 20 years ago, it has experienced substantial delays. While the preservation of the Park is a long-term commitment, these projects will go a long way as we continue to work on the restoration of the Everglades."
The Everglades National Park expansion will adjust the boundary of the park to include the Tarpon Basin property comprising approximately 600 acres of land and water surrounding Tarpon Basin, located in South Key Largo. The expanded boundaries will protect coastal wetlands and habitat for several endangered species including the American crocodile, the West Indian manatee, the wood stork, the roseate spoonbill, and other migrating birds. The approval of the land exchange will allow Florida Power and Light to exchange property, which contained an electric power transmission corridor, for a parcel located outside of the Park's boundary.
S.22 now moves to the House for further consideration.
Source