Issue Position: The Environment

Issue Position

When it comes to the issue of the environment, Charlie Crist is a proven leader. Having grown up boating and fishing on the West Coast of Florida, Charlie Crist understands the need to maintain and protect Florida's ecosystem.

Restoring the Everglades

Throughout his public service, Charlie Crist has protected Florida's natural beauty. As Governor, Charlie Crist saw that vision in restoring a more natural water flow within the Florida Everglades when he announced the planned purchase of the U.S. Sugar Corporation. This bold move will remove more than 70,000 acres of sugar land and allow for restoration to begin that will move, store and clean water from Lake Okeechobee south to Everglades National Park and into Florida Bay.

As Florida's next U.S. Senator, Charlie Crist will fight for the federal funds necessary to continue the federal-state partnership under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) passed in 2000. Working with the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a successful CERP will save the Florida Everglades for generations to come.

Conservation

Charlie Crist believes in conservation. Conserving our state's resources will enable future generations to benefit from the beauty of Florida for years to come. Conservation programs like Florida Forever, a restoration program which has successfully conserved nearly one-third of undeveloped state land and the St. Johns River Restoration program, will reap long term benefits for Florida's cherished eco-system.

Charlie Crist supports Amendment 4 that lowers property taxes for landowners who put their property into conservation.

The strength of America is its people. The beauty of America is its national parks. Following the model of Teddy Roosevelt, Charlie Crist will support efforts to preserve and conserve our national resources and treasures.

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