1. “Getting the Funding Right” Kim Koleos Juris Doctor, University of Florida

2. Traditional Army Corps Projects Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Navigation / Flood Control One time authorizations Projects are structural in nature –Infrastructure in the form of water control structures - dams, levees, reservoirs, etc. –Maintenance in the form of dredging channels and harbors

3. Pre-Channelized Kissimmee River in 1961

4. Channelized Kissimmee River – 1962 to 1971

5. Kissimmee River Restoration – 1994 to 2011

6. WRDA 1986 –est. cost-sharing formulas –ability to change existing structures to improve environmental quality WRDA 1990 –Environmental Protection Mission –Contamination cleanup, dredged material disposal and hazardous waste management WRDA 1996 –Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration added to the Corps’ Continuing Authorities Program WRDA 2000 –Everglades Restoration (CERP) Army Corps Involvement in Environmental Restoration

7. Congress approves a Comprehensive Plan Congress specifically authorizes individual projects developed under the Plan Plans have multiple phases of restoration, with multiple set of projects Diverse group of stakeholders Use of Adaptive Management Implementation of the Plan spans decades - 30 to 50 years Problem: streamlining the authorization process, in order to enable the appropriations process Large-Scale Ecosystem Restoration Projects

8. Water Resources Restoration Act (WRRA) Purposes: –To ensure the coordinated enhancement, restoration and protection of natural water systems and water resources –To authorize all U.S. Army Corps restoration projects through passage of WRRA –To begin a 2-year cycle for the passage of WRRA –Utilized as a vehicle for the long-term restoration of the physical, chemical and biological integrity of the Nation’s water resources

9. Water Resources Restoration Act (cont.) Prerequisites for Authorization under WRRA –Planning requirement Restoration Plan for a single activity Comprehensive Plan for activities that are interconnected –Cooperative Agreement That non-federal entities will NOT take actions that will jeopardize restoration activities or adversely affect the water resources being restored –Statement of Financial Ability The capacity to carry out cost-sharing responsibilities

10. Water Resources Restoration Act (cont.) Cost-Sharing Agreements –case-by-case basis for both implementation and operation & management costs Potential backlash? Support? Authorization of all restoration projects? Potential projects to be included in WRRA?

11. Everglades

13. Louisiana Coastal Area

15. Upper Mississippi River & Illinois Water-Way Restoration

16. Missouri River System

18. Great Lakes

20. South Bay Salt Pond Restoration - today

21. South Bay Salt Pond Restoration - future