It's not often Everglades Foundation Chief Executive Officer Eric Eikenberg and I agree. But Thursday in Martin County, on Marjory Stoneman Douglas' birthday and in celebration of Everglades Day, Eikenberg told a gathering this: "Despite three estuaries in crisis, we have ONE solution and that solution is the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) …."
I couldn't agree more. But I don't think I've heard, or read anywhere, that he ever before called CERP the "one" solution. Have a look at Eikenberg addressing celebrants along the Riverwalk in Stuart Thursday in the video below. CERP is indeed the solution.
Of course, later, the local press picked up the other Everglades Foundation "only solution" -- "move the water south." Move it into reservoirs? Nah, probably not what they have in mind. But CERP work is expected to draw more water from Lake Okeechobee to the south, away from the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee estuaries.
In spite of mounting evidence that septic tank waste is the chief waterway polluter in counties now experiencing brown tide and other water fouling following freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee, Eikenberg doesn't buy it. He has blamed pollution from Lake Okeechobee. That's where he and I disagree.
For now, though, I'm hopeful the Everglades Foundation CEO believes in the CERP Plan, will give it a chance, and with his formidable influence, take an active role in its completion.
Environmentalists look at Legacy Florida as their biggest accomplishment of the 2016 legislative session. They're hoping lawmakers will keep on carving out money to fund their other priorities.
Eric Draper, executive director of Audubon Florida, told the News Service of Florida, "I like the idea of earmarking. If we could just get a generous earmark for land conservation, then we will have finally achieved exactly what the voters wanted. But the voters certainly wanted the Everglades. That was in the first line of the amendment."
Certainly, Eikenberg -- by defining CERP as the one solution to South Florida estuaries in crisis -- would agree with Draper.
Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, House sponsor of Legacy Florida, stood with Eikenberg during his talk in Stuart Thursday. He called Legacy Florida "a key part of making (CERP) a reality."
Here's how Legacy Florida works, including its implications:
-- The bill amends the Florida Statutes to provide for the distribution of funds deposited into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. Of the funds remaining after the payment of debt service obligations, the Legislature will be required to appropriate a minimum of the lesser of 25 percent or $200 million for Everglades projects that implement CERP, including the Central Everglades Planning Project subject to congressional authorization, the Long-Term Plan, and the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program (NEEPP).
-- After deducting $32 million for distribution to the SFWMD for the Long Term Plan, the bill provides for a distribution from the funds remaining, a minimum of the lesser of 76.5 percent or $100 million be appropriated each fiscal year through the 2025-2026 fiscal year for the planning, design, engineering and construction of the CERP. The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the SFWMD to give preference to projects that reduce harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie or Caloosahatchee estuaries in a timely manner. After these distributions expire, the entire $200 million must be appropriated annually for CERP and NEEPP projects through 2035-36.
-- In addition, the bill requires an appropriation of a minimum of the lesser of 7.6 percent or $50 million each fiscal year through the 2035-2036 fiscal year for springs restoration, protection and management projects, and requires a $5 million appropriation each fiscal year through 2025-2026 to the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) for projects dedicated to the restoration of Lake Apopka.
House Bill 5001, the 2016-17 General Appropriations Act provides $32 million for the Long Term Plan, $100 million for the CERP, $70.1 million for northern Everglades and estuaries protection, $50 million for springs restoration, protection and management, and $5.1 million for Lake Apopka restoration in accordance with the provisions of House Bill 989.
President-Designate Joe Negron, R-Stuart, who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said, “The passage of Legacy Florida is a historic achievement in Florida and will bring much needed relief to our community and others impacted by water releases from Lake Okeechobee. I want to thank Governor Scott for signing HB 989 into law today and also recognize fellow members of the Legislature for their united efforts on this important legislation.”
Reach Nancy Smith at nsmith@sunshinestatenews.com or at 228-282-2423. Twitter: @NancyLBSmith
