Everglades Restoration: Modified Water Deliveries Project

Publication Date: March 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Environment

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Abstract:

The Modified Water Deliveries Project (Mod Waters) is a controversial ecological restoration project in south Florida designed to improve water delivery to Everglades National Park. The implementation schedule of Mod Waters is of interest to Congress partly because its completion is required before the implementation of portions of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Concerns have been raised in hearings on the Administration's FY2006 budget request regarding the cost of implementing the project and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' authority to fund the project.

Further, due to concerns regarding phosphorus pollution in the Everglades, Congress enacted a provision in the FY2004 and FY2005 Interior Appropriations Acts that conditions funding for Mod Waters on meeting state water quality standards. In addition, the use of eminent domain to acquire land for a flood control plan adjacent to the park has been controversial. Several landowners who were unwilling to sell their land obtained a ruling in federal court that prevented further land acquisitions in the area. The Corps appealed this decision, and Congress authorized a plan, which included land acquisition, in the Consolidated Appropriations Resolution for FY2003. This report provides background on Mod Waters and discusses issues relating to its current status, funding, and land acquisition needs. This report will be updated as warranted.