LegiStorm

Summary:

The Everglades is a unique network of subtropical wetlands in South Florida that is approximately half of its historical size, due in part to degradation from federal water projects. In 2000, Congress authorized a plan, termed the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), for the restoration of the Everglades ecosystem in southern Florida. When originally authorized, it was estimated that CERP would cost a total of $8.2 billion and take approximately 30 years to complete. More recent estimates indicate that the plan would take approximately 50 years to implement, and would cost approximately $1.63 billion more than originally thought, plus additional adjustments for inflation. Under CERP, the federal government (through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of the Interior) is required to fund half of the costs for restoration, with an array of state, tribal, and local agencies paying the other half. In addition to activities under CERP, a number of ongoing federal and state efforts that pre-date CERP (known collectively as “non-CERP” or “Foundation” activities) also contribute to Everglades restoration. While non-CERP efforts are technically not included in CERP, the two sets of activities are widely viewed as complementary. Since passage of CERP in 2000, the federal investment in Everglades restoration has increased. As of the end of FY2015, the federal government had provided in excess of $1.2 billion in funding for CERP, with the state providing matching funds for CERP projects, as well as advanced funding for land acquisition and construction for expected future CERP projects. Federal funding for non-CERP activities (most of which pre-date CERP) has also continued over this time period. Together with CERP, all Everglades restoration efforts are estimated to have totaled in excess of $5 billion since FY1993. While estimates of nonfederal (i.e., state) funding contributions to CERP and related restoration efforts vary widely depending on what methodology and assumptions are used, most agree that to date, the state of Florida has spent significantly more on Everglades restoration than has the federal government. Progress has been made on a number of Everglades restoration projects, although overall progress to date has fallen short of initial goals. As of late 2015, eight CERP projects were authorized, the majority of the land necessary for restoration projects under CERP had been acquired, and significant progress has been made on non-CERP activities (including improved water deliveries to Everglades National Park). Construction had been initiated on four CERP projects, and studies have been completed or were under way for a number of other projects. Despite this progress, some projects have seen setbacks in the form of schedule delays and cost escalations. Additionally, new authorizations will be required for other major CERP projects, such as the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP), to go forward. These and other impediments have been noted as possible causes of further delays to restoration benefits in the future. Reductions to state funding and the enactment of four new CERP project authorizations in the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA, P.L. 113-121) in June 2014 (which will require new funding) have brought renewed attention on the congressional role in facilitating Everglades restoration. Debate and resolution of these issues has implications, both for ecosystem restoration in the Everglades and for large-scale restoration initiatives elsewhere. This report provides an overview of the federal role in Everglades restoration, including funding structures and major accomplishments to date.