After years of tepid support, Washington appears primed to jump-start stalled Everglades restoration.
The House on Wednesday approved a giant budget bill with $183 million for Everglades projects, including $60 million for bridging the Tamiami Trail. Also tucked into the measure is a tiny provision crafted to circumvent a Miccosukee lawsuit blocking the Trail improvements.
In addition, the Obama administration has named Terrence ''Rock'' Salt, who has spent 18 years overseeing federal Everglades restoration efforts, to a key White House post directing civil works projects.
Still to be determined, what President Barack Obama's budget proposal may mean for the project, though the 'Glades does get a nod in the budget summary. Funding highlights for the US Army Corps of Engineers, the summary says, include advancing "aquatic ecosystem restoration efforts, including restoration of Florida's Everglades and Louisiana's coastal wetlands."
Hey, can we have the Louisiana restoration money too? We can sure use it, and I'm positive that "holier than thou" Jindal will absolutely refuse to accept it.
Posted by: Joshu Jones | February 26, 2009 at 09:34 PM