Federal environmental officials are giving Florida the go-ahead to move forward with a new 12-year plan
to clean up the Everglades.
The new $880-million plan to improve water quality received a big nod of approval from the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency. Federal Officials said it represented a significant and historic
milestone in restoring America’s Everglades.
“We are moving forward on a comprehensive plan that is in the best interest of the Everglades and
Florida taxpayers,” said Jennifer Diaz, a spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Wednesday’s approval finally cements a plan for the massive cleanup effort. The deal would create five storm water treatment areas in an effort to filter phosphorus which comes from fertilizers, and sets the stage for settling lawsuits dating back to 1988 over enforcement of Clean Water Act standards in the River of Grass.
The plan is drawing mixed reviews from environmental groups.