Everglades Restoration: The Federal Role in Funding

Publication Date: October 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Environment

Type:

Coverage: Florida

Abstract:

In 2000, Congress approved a 30-year, $7.8 billion restoration plan, termed the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), for the Everglades ecosystem in southern Florida, and authorized an initial set of projects at a cost of $1.4 billion. The federal government is expected to pay half the plan's costs, and an array of state, tribal, and local agencies the other half. In addition to the activities under CERP, other federal and state efforts also are contributing to Everglades restoration. To date, all of these efforts combined represent an investment of approximately $3.6 billion in state funds and $2.3 billion in federal funds since FY1993. Everglades funding receives attention not only from those interested in Everglades restoration, but also from stakeholders of other restoration initiatives such as those in coastal Louisiana, the Great Lakes, and Chesapeake Bay. The debate and resolution of issues surrounding the authorization and appropriations for Everglades restoration projects could have implications for largescale restoration initiatives elsewhere. This report provides information on federal appropriations for Everglades restoration, and discusses some issues related to the authorization and appropriations for restoration projects. It will be updated biannually.