1. Lessons Learned from Everglades Restoration Julie A. Hill Everglades Policy Associate

2. Natural SystemManaged System

3. 68 Threatened & Endangered Species

4. Yikes!

5. Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) WRDA 2000 codified CERP CERP provided for 68 separate restoration components throughout the Everglades ecosystem 50/50 shared responsibility between the State of Florida (South Florida Water Management District) and federal partners (US Army Corps of Engineers)

7. Although CERP was passed 8 years ago, to date no construction projects have been completed

8. Federal funding has not met the levels of state funding State has contributed at a level of 2 to 1 compared with the federal partner The WRDA process for federal authorization is one cause of delays

9. New ideas Water Resources Restoration Act Authorize comprehensive ecosystem restoration projects separately from navigation and flood control projects Replicate the WRDA framework and build upon the environmental protection mission of the US Army Corps of Engineers

10. Lessons Learned 1.Most importantly, be FLEXIBLE, and look at substance over process 2.Prioritize projects by anticipated ecological benefits 3.Very important to show early up-front commitment from the local sponsor to entice federal commitment

11. Lessons Learned, Cont. 4.Agriculture is valuable and flood protection important BUT “savings clause” caused more problems than anticipated 5.Adaptive Management should be used to achieve benefits- don’t wait until planning efforts are perfect

13. Lessons Learned, Cont. 6.Work within existing procedural structures at the same time as proposing new and improved procedures 7.Focus on land acquisition at the outset 8.Develop partnerships to advance ecosystem restoration efforts nationwide

14. New Developments US Sugar Purchase 187,000 acres State will pay approximately $1.75 billion Funding will come primarily from certificates of participation Early benefits for water storage and water treatment

15. Natural SystemManaged System

18. Implications of US Sugar The State of Florida will no longer be able to take on the burden of funding the majority of projects Some projects need to be expedited in order to achieve the best possible benefits from the US Sugar purchase The purchase could change Everglades restoration plans dramatically, so reinforces the need to be flexible