The Issue

Everglades National Park is possibly our most threatened national park because of the impact of massive man-made alterations to the surrounding ecosystem. A return to natural hydrologic conditions is critical to restoring the ecological health of Everglades National Park. A restored natural system will benefit South Florida's 6 wildlife and its million residents who rely on water flowing through the Everglades for drinking water, recreation and other uses.

Background

Historically the Everglades ecosystem stretched from the Kissimmee River Basin in central Florida, through Lake Okeechobee, into what is now Everglades National Park and out the estuaries on Florida's east and west coasts, Biscayne and Florida Bays, and the Florida Keys. Today, however, the "River of Grass" has been drained and diverted through canals until it can no longer support the web of life that depends upon it.

The Everglades has shrunk to less than half of its former size. Wading bird populations in Everglades National Park have plummeted by over 90%. The water entering the system is polluted with agricultural runoff and high levels of mercury. Coral reefs are dying at a disturbing rate. Recreational and commercial fish catches continue to decline because fish and crustaceans cannot breed as successfully in the coastal areas along Florida and Biscayne Bays. This devastation is a result of a system of 1,400 miles of canals and levees, built by the Army Corps of Engineers to control flooding and provide water supply for an ever-increasing population. As a result of the unnatural water flow and uncontrolled development, 68 threatened and endangered species of plants and animals, including the Florida panther, American crocodile, wood stork, snail kite and Cape Sable Seaside Sparrow, reside in the Everglades ecosystem.

NPCA Position

Restoring the health of the Everglades is vital to protecting Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park, Dry Tortugas National Park and Big Cypress National Preserve, all of which lie within this unique ecosystem. Its health is essential to the economy and quality of life for all South Florida residents and visitors.

The Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the State of Florida and the Department of Interior, are undertaking an unprecedented, multi-billion dollar restoration plan. They will remove levees, fill in canals, reduce agricultural and urban runoff and return natural water flows and quality within the Everglades. This restoration plan, approved by Congress in 2000 with bipartisan support, is only a plan. Careful watch over the implementation is necessary so that the environmental benefits are not sacrificed to provide urban water supply or flood control.

NPCA is fighting to improve all these projects and focusing on projects such as the "Modified Water Deliveries", "C-111" and other projects that are near the parks. We support the Florida constitutional requirement for polluters to pay for their own cleanup, and are working on local, state and federal restoration policies. This is the most ambitious restoration project ever attempted and its success will depend on public and political support sustained over decades.