Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release: May 16, 2000

Contact: Joan Moody 202-208-6416
Peter Umhofer 202-812-7864

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY BABBITT REGARDING
EVERGLADES RESTORATION BILL SIGNING

I commend Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida Legislature for signing into law this comprehensive legislation to fund the restoration of the Everglades. The restoration of the Everglades is the result of an unprecedented partnership between a number of Federal agencies and the State of Florida. As a result of this partnership, more than 500,000 acres of lands vital to environmental restoration and water storage effort have been purchased. This legislation by the State of Florida shows its willingness to commit the resources necessary to see this effort through its many years to completion.

The restoration of America's unique treasure, the River of Grass, has been a priority for the Clinton-Gore Administration. This year we are offered a unique opportunity, with support from the Congress, to move this massive landscape restoration project off the drawing board. I am very hopeful that the Congress will support these efforts and that the largest ecological restoration project in history can be the legacy of a healthy environment and a healthy South Florida for generations to come.

-DOI-