The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Dawn Shirreffs, Everglades Restoration Program Manager, National Parks Conservation Association, Phone: 305.546.6689
Alison Zemanski, Media Relations Manager, National Parks Conservation Association, Phone: 202.454.3332

Groundbreaking Everglades Project Creates Unprecedented Restoration Progress and Benefits to Local Economy

"Americans can today celebrate another monumental
groundbreaking for Everglades restoration. Authorized through the 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, construction of the Site One
Impoundment/Fran Reich Preserve Project marks the fifth project to begin
in just over nine months as part of a larger Everglades restoration
plan.

WASHINGTON

"Americans can today celebrate another monumental
groundbreaking for Everglades restoration. Authorized through the 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, construction of the Site One
Impoundment/Fran Reich Preserve Project marks the fifth project to begin
in just over nine months as part of a larger Everglades restoration
plan. Completion of this project will provide many benefits to southern
Palm Beach County by capturing and storing excess surface water to
increase water available for the natural ecosystem, recharge drinking
water supplies in the aquifer, and protect against saltwater intrusion.

"We
have seen unprecedented progress for Everglades restoration over the
last twelve months, which has created thousands of South Florida jobs
vital to our local economies.

"Now that construction has begun on a number of restoration projects,
continued federal support for Everglades restoration is crucial to
maximize our investment in one of America's most treasured places--Everglades National Park."

"We applaud Congress's efforts to achieve full Everglades
restoration, which will ultimately revitalize South Florida's economic
growth. Every time we turn dirt on an Everglades restoration project, we
are fulfilling a promise to protect our national parks, wildlife, and
family memories for our children and grandchildren to enjoy."

NPCA is a non-profit, private organization dedicated to protecting, preserving, and enhancing the U.S. National Park System.