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PRESS RELEASE |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| Date: |
June 6, 2008 |
| Contact: |
John Adornato, Regional Director,
National Parks Conservation Association,
Cell: 954.309.9307
Shannon Andrea, Media Relations Manager,
National Parks Conservation Association,
P: 202.454.3371 |
Senator McCain Visits Everglades; Parks Group Advocates for Commitment to Everglades Restoration and National Parks
Statement by NPCA Regional Director John Adornato
"Today's visit by U.S. Senator John McCain to Everglades National Park provides him an opportunity to see firsthand the critical need to revitalize the health of our historic River of Grass. Restoring the health of the Everglades is not only vital to our environment, but our economy and quality of life here in South Florida.
The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, passed by the U.S. Congress in 2000, was a groundbreaking law that aimed to restore America's Everglades after decades of destruction. Yet in the last eight years, Everglades restoration continues to flounder with little benefit to national parks in South Florida.
As the Florida delegation continues to lead the way on Everglades restoration, we need federal support and funding to revitalize the plan that will restore the health and natural sheetflow of America's Everglades. Our elected officials must stay focused on those basic principles originally outlined to restore the Everglades and provide the necessary funding to support ongoing restoration activities, such as Tamiami Trail, and the park's operating needs.
The centennial of our National Park System is only eight years away, yet places like Everglades National Park, and other parks across the country have critical funding needs. Successive increases in federal funding for day-to-day operations are essential to addressing the parks' $750-million annual funding shortfall. If authorized by Congress, the National Park Centennial Challenge will help restore the Everglades and prepare our national parks for a second century of service to all Americans.
We applaud Sen. McCain for visiting our national treasure. If we ever hope to restore the Everglades, we need leadership and continued commitment from both our state and federal governments. We must leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren by saving one of the great special places in the world-America's Everglades."
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