[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 10 (Monday, February 2, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. GRAHAM of Florida (for himself and Mr. Nelson of Florida):
  S. 2046. A bill to authorize the exchange of certain land in 
Everglades National Park; to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources.
  Mr. GRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a bill with my 
colleague from Florida, Senator Nelson. Our bill is non-controversial 
and will allow the Department of the Interior and the South Florida 
Water Management District to perform a land exchange for the purpose of 
constructing the C-111 Spreader Canal Project under the Comprehensive 
Everglades Restoration Plan, known as CERP. Both the Department of the 
Interior and the State of Florida have approved the language of the 
bill, and Senator Nelson and I hope to expedite passage of the bill 
through the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the full Senate.
  CERP, which was authorized in the Water Resources Development Act of 
2000, is the framework that guides our efforts to restore America's 
Everglades. It consists of over 60 major projects that will restore 
Everglades National Park and other areas of the greater Everglades 
ecosystem. The C-111 Spreader Canal Project is just one of the 60 
component projects of CERP. The C-111 project will provide important 
environmental benefits to the Southern Glades and Model Lands and more 
natural sheet flow to Florida Bay while maintaining flood protection 
for surrounding agricultural and urban areas.
  I am also pleased to report that Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, who 
represents the relevant congressional district, and Congressman Jim 
Davis will introduce a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
  2004 marks the beginning of the fourth year of CERP implementation 
and Everglades restoration. We have been hard at work getting through 
phase one--the planning and organizational phase of such an historic 
and monumental restoration project. We have now entered into phase 
two--building the projects that will deliver water to the Everglades 
and revive the dying ecosystem. As we continue to make progress on what 
has always been a bipartisan and bicameral project, I want to thank my 
colleagues for their support for the restoration of America's 
Everglades. I look forward to our continued work together to bring the 
River of Grass back to its former glory as the crown jewel of the 
national parks system.
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