Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release: December 11, 2000

Contact: Stephanie Hanna 202-208-6416
Peter Umhofer 202-208-3136

SECRETARY BABBITT PRAISES SIGNING OF EVERGLADES RESTORATION BILL

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt praised President Clinton's signing of the Everglades Restoration bill. "Today we can begin to make the dream of a renewed Everglades a reality and replenish one of our Nation's most endangered ecosystems," Babbitt said. "The restoration of America's unique treasure, the River of Grass, has been a top priority for President Clinton and Vice President Gore. Many years from now, this Administration, the State of Florida and the United States Congress will be remembered for answering the call and saving the Everglades while we still had a chance."

The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is the largest environmental restoration project ever attempted. The bill, which was made law in the Water Resources Development Act 2000, is the product of years of hard work by the Administration, the Congress, the State of Florida and key stakeholders.

This legislation will restore America's Everglades - - a national treasure -- over the next 30 years by capturing much of the fresh water that now flows unused into the ocean and delivering it where and when it is needed most. This project will restore critical water flows to the Everglades and ensure adequate water supplies for South Florida's cities, communities and farmers well into the future. The cost of the project will be shared equally between the Federal government and the State of Florida.

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