New Funding for Everglades Restoration Creates Progress for Birds and People
Three contract awards, more momentum for critical conservation efforts.
Last week, the Army Corps of Engineers announced three new contract awards to build critical restoration projects that continue the decades-long work to restore America's Everglades. Audubon has worked to protect and restore the Everglades for more than 100 years and is a proud partner and supporter of this work.
These three contract awards advance critical components of Everglades restoration and are partially funded through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, which invested a historic $1.1 billion in the Everglades. These contract awards are a testament to the ongoing funding needs for Everglades restoration; as money is granted to this program, the Corps is demonstrating its ability to spend it on critical projects.
The awards are part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and include:
1. The Broward County Water Preserve Areas (WPA) project, which will reduce water loss from the central Everglades. ($10.2 million)
2. The first contract of five to fully build out a reservoir on the Indian River Lagoon, home to more than 3000 species of plants and animals. ($193 million)
3. The contract award for construction of a 38-ft high embankment dam and necessary outlets and spillways in the Central Everglades Planning Project Everglades Agricultural Area. ($2.9 billion)
Audubon urges the Biden Administration and Congressional leaders to maintain this high level of Everglades restoration momentum. We urge Congress to pass its bipartisan, biennial Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2024, which includes additional project authorizations for Everglades restoration.
We congratulate the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District and the South Florida Water Management District, for finalizing these contract awards and look forward to continued partnership to restore America’s Everglades.