Everglades Restoration Project Gets Green Light
MIAMI (CBSMiami/NSF) – There's good news for South Florida's River of Grass.
The Department of Environmental Protection has made the final sign-off on permits and consent orders that will allow for a massive Everglades restoration project to go forward, the agency said Tuesday.
The previously-agreed on proposal is aimed at reducing water pollution in the Everglades ecosystem and restoring its original quality through the creation of several stormwater treatment areas to filter water before it goes into the system.
"This plan is an historic step forward in restoring America's Everglades," Gov. Rick Scott said in a statement. "This plan will result in significant water quality improvements to the Everglades without raising or creating new costs for Floridians."
A 21-day period during which parties could have objected to the permits expired on Monday.
The plan calls for 6,500 acres of stormwater treatment areas and nearly 110,000 acre-feet of water storage.
The main part of the project is expected to be completed in about six years.
"The News Service of Florida contributed to this report."
