The South Florida Water Management District approved the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP).
CEPP is designed to restore the Greater Everglade’s ecosystem and improve water flows and water quality in Florida. The plan is part of a federal and state environmental initiative that will restore the historic flow of water south in the River of Grass.
During a stop in Fort Myers to promote state funding for cancer research, Governor Rick Scott said the approval was a step forward for Everglades Restoration.
Scott said the approval of CEPP is “is very important to our state.”
“We are investing in the Everglades—we have significant investments this year in the Everglades,” he said.
CEPP is expected to provide relief to communities along the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers. Last year’s water releases from Lake Okeechobee into those estuaries degraded water quality across the southern half of the state.
State lawmakers are currently deciding how much to spend on water projects this year. The Florida Senate has appropriated $433 million for water projects. The Florida House has set aside $326 million.
