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Conservation
Concerns in Florida: Restoring the Everglades
The Everglades, the "river of grass" championed for decades by the late
Marjory Stoneman Douglas, faces significant challenges as a result of
extensive hydrological engineering over the past century to control
floods, supply domestic water to nearby cities, and to support
agricultural development. As a result of the landscape alterations, the
Everglades cover less than half their historic extent. In 2000, the
federal and state governments, under then-Governor Jeb Bush, initiated
the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP), to restore
vital clean water flows and natural drainage patterns to the Everglades
ecosystem. It is one of the largest ecosystem restoration projects
under way in the world.
In 2010, the National Research Council assessed the progress of
restoration efforts and reported both positive and negative news.
Restoration efforts remain slow. Some species appear to be stable, but
others are declining. Invasive species are a growing problem,
especially the release of non-native pythons by exotic pet owners no
longer able to care for such large, dangerous reptiles. Nevertheless,
CERP projects are under way. In February 2011, for example, work
started on the second contract for the Picayune Strand Restoration
Project, designed to restore overland water flows to a 55,000-acre area
in Collier County that is the site of a failed residential development
project. Roads will be removed, canals plugged, and pump stations will
be built to re-flood wetlands and restore wildlife habitat.
Many years of hard work such as the Picayune Strand restoration will be
necessary to restore the Everglades and conserve this priceless
treasure for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations.
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