[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3240-S3241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RESTORATION OF THE FLORIDA EVERGLADES

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, yesterday the Senate gave final 
passage to the 1996 farm bill. With House action, the bill will be sent 
to President Clinton who is expected to sign it.
  The farm bill contains many important environmental and conservation 
provisions. One of these provides for the spending of up to $300 
million by the Secretary of the Interior to help restore the Florida 
Everglades. This rapid and significant infusion of funds--$200 million 
of which will be available in less than 100 days--is a critical first 
step to implement the administration's ambitious $1.5 billion proposal 
to save one of the world's most unique ecosystems. The farm bill 
conferees intend that this national treasure receive immediate 
attention.
  Prior to the 1940's the Everglades ecosystem covered most of south 
Florida, from its headwaters in the Kissimmee River basin to the coral 
reefs of Florida Bay. Because of man's alterations, the once ``river of 
grass'' is now fragmented and deteriorating, threatening not only the 
wildlife of the ecosystem, but also the water supply, economy, and 
quality of life for the people who live in Florida.
  Throughout the system, clean, fresh water has been replaced by murky, 
nutrient-laden water that does not support native plant and animal 
species. Years of water diversion and pollutants have degraded not only 
the Everglades, but also Florida Bay, one of the most important 
estuaries and fisheries in America. The bay is suffering from a lack of 
fresh water that had led to algal blooms and contributed to the 
extinction of North America's only native coral reef. As a consequence, 
this once teeming estuary now is closed to commercial fishing, and the 
tourism industry of the region is threatened.
  We must not let the Everglades die. Although the decline of the 
ecosystem continues, it is reversible.
  To speed the Everglades restoration, the farm bill conferees created 
a $200 million entitlement, to be available in less than 100 days, for 
this important project. The conferees also approved an additional $100 
million of spending for Everglades restoration which will come from the 
sale of surplus Federal lands in Florida that have not been set aside 
for conservation purposes or are not environmentally sensitive.

[[Page S3241]]

  To have the maximum impact on Everglades restoration, the conferees 
intend that funds provided for in this legislation be used in priority 
areas. Prior to acceptance of the Everglades provisions, discussions 
among conferees focused on the importance of acquiring and restoring 
land in the Everglades Agricultural Area. The conferees expected that 
the Secretary of the Interior would give priority to acquiring and 
restoring lands within the Everglades Agricultural Area, including the 
Talisman tract, in order to make those lands available for water 
storage and delivery. Both the House and Senate bills used identical 
language to make this point as well:

       The Secretary of the Interior * * * shall use the funds to 
     conduct restoration activities in the Everglades ecosystem 
     which may include acquiring private acreage in the Everglades 
     Agricultural Area including approximately 52,000 acres that 
     is commonly known as the Talisman tract.

  At the meeting of conferees, I pointed out that the greatest need for 
restoration is in the over 130,000 acres of the Everglades Agricultural 
Area which includes much of the land that makes up the Talisman tract. 
I intend to monitor this issue closely to make certain that the funds 
are properly spent.
  This small down payment will be insufficient for total restoration. 
It is only part of the Federal Government's share of this coordinated 
restoration effort. More important, it in no way relieves others--
particularly the sugarcane industry that has benefited from the 
alteration of the system and continues to pollute it--of its obligation 
to contribute to restoration costs.
  Senator Lugar and I have proposed that Florida sugar producers 
contribute for restoration purposes a 2-cent per pound assessment on 
sugar grown in the Everglades. The administration supports a 1-cent 
assessment. These proposals have widespread support in Florida.
  On March 25, Mary Barley, chair of the citizens group, Save Our 
Everglades, announced the launching of a ballot initiative to protect 
and restore the Everglades. She said that ``we are facing a crisis and 
time is running out.'' In proposing a ``Penny for the Everglades,'' 
Mrs. Barley spoke eloquently about her late husband, George, who 
devoted the last years of his life to restoring this national treasure.
  At that announcement, Mary quoted George who had said:

       Long after we are gone, the Everglades ecosystem will be 
     our legacy--to our children and the rest of the nation.

  George Barley was right then and Mary Barley is right today. Congress 
and the administration must follow their lead and require sugar growers 
in the region to pay their fair share to restore the 
Everglades.

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