• Strategic land acquisitions sufficient to ensure successful restoration, including at least 100,000 acres in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA);
• Acceleration of restoration projects and research activities already underway;
• Broad stakeholder participation and a long-term commitment to ensure that federal restoration and protection efforts complement and support the health of Florida's economy and its citizens, now and in the future.

The Administration's plan recognizes that the costs of restoration should be borne by a balanced cost-share between the federal and state governments and those who have substantially benefited from federal programs and alterations to the ecosystem and who will potentially benefit from its restoration, including sugar-producing companies. The plan has three major funding components:

• The creation of an "Everglades Restoration Fund" for land acquisition funded through appropriations of $100 million per year for 4 years, for a total of $400 million.

• A 1 cent per pound increase in the marketing assessment on Florida sugar produced in the EAA, which will generate approximately $35 million per year. This will total $245 million over 7 years, and will constitute an ongoing source of revenues into the Everglades Restoration Fund.

• A 25 percent increase in funding for federal agency programs, including, science, land management, water management projects, and other programs, from $104 million in 1996 to $131 million for 1997.

Overall, this approach will double the total federal funding for Everglades restoration to about $1.5 billion over the next 7 years. The Administration will use existing authorities and resources where available, and where necessary will seek new authorities from Congress. Guiding Principles

A Shared Vision of Restoration: The restoration of the Everglades, a unique national treasure, requires a shared vision of the desired condition of the entire South Florida ecosystem -- from the Kissimmee River to the Florida Keys -- that will restore and maintain the biological diversity and sustainability of the ecosystem and support actions that incorporate economic, sociocultural, and community goals.

Expanded Partnerships: The federal government will continue to support and work with on-going partnerships in South Florida with State, Tribal, and local governments, the private sector and individual citizens to accomplish ecosystem restoration and protection objectives, recognizing that the responsibility for issues of water and land use in the ecosystem are largely the responsibility of the State of Florida.

Non-Regulatory Programs: Non-regulatory programs, such as advance planning, research, and public-private cooperative efforts will be encouraged.

Shared Restoration Expenditures: The restoration expenditures should meet clearly defined objectives for the overall long-term effort to restore the ecosystem and should be borne jointly through a balanced cost-share between the federal and state governments and those who have substantially benefited from federal programs and alterations to the ecosystem and who will potentially benefit from its restoration, including sugar-producing companies.

Reliance on Sound Science: Restoration efforts must be scientifically sound, ecologically credible, and legally responsible. Research must be coordinated and focus on critical ecosystem needs, and together with careful monitoring, should support adaptive management.

The Administration will request authority to establish an "Everglades Restoration Fund" to receive discretionary funds and sugar marketing assessment receipts. The Fund's resources will be available without fiscal year limitation. The federal resources will be managed jointly by a cabinet-level group.

The proposed funding, combined with existing and new legislative authorities, will lay the foundation to implement these commitments:

Commitment 1. The Clinton Administration will increase its already substantial support for restoration and protection of the Everglades ecosystem. Specifically, we will:

Acquire in partnership with the State enough land to make restoration work, concentrating on the following areas:

• At least 100,000 acres of land in Everglades Agricultural Area for water storage, including acquisition of the Talisman Tract;
• Water preserve/aquifer recharge areas in the eastern edge buffer area for water quality and storage along with drinking water protection, the size of which will be determined after further study and analysis;
• Eastern Edge Buffer-Southern Transition Lands, for improved water delivery; and
• Expansion of Everglades National Park and other parks and refuges.

Accelerate and ensure completion of water supply and control projects, including:

• Complete the Modified Water Deliveries Project;
• Complete modifications to the C-111 Project, and revise the state/federal cost-share;
• Complete the C-51 Project, including acquisition of STA 1E; and
• Complete the Kissimmee River Restoration Project.

Undertake necessary ecosystem management and planning, including:

• Accelerate completion of the Corps of Engineers Central & South Florida Project Restudy;
• Develop a coordinated water quality improvement and protection plan for the south Florida ecosystem;
• Strengthen water quality standards to protect the Everglades and Florida Bay;
• Undertake with State and local officials a cooperative urban interface planning process;
• Expand exotic species control programs;
• Expand the Coral Reef Initiative; and
• Accelerate the Florida Keys Water Quality Protection Program.

Commitment 2. The Clinton Administration will work to ensure that Florida's sugarcane industry contributes its fair share of the costs of the restoration effort, in view of the industry's impact upon the environment and the benefits to industry from federal water projects and programs. Our policy will support collection of funding, seek to retire acreage where appropriate, improve management practices on those lands that remain in use, and engage the agricultural sector, both owners and workers, in the restoration effort. The President's budget request and other legislation will provide for:

• An assessment of 1 cent per pound of sugar produced in the Everglades Agricultural Area;
• Cooperative programs with the agricultural community to employ workers in ecosystem restoration activities; and
• Programs for transitional management of depleted and acquired lands, including using transferable development rights, sale lease-back arrangements or other tools.

Commitment 3. The Clinton Administration will maintain and expand its partnership with the people of Florida in virtually every aspect of the Everglades restoration effort. The Administration's plan would rely upon and enhance the role of key intergovernmental and stakeholder forums. The President's budget and associated legislation will provide for:

• Continued operation of the South Florida Ecosystem Task Force;
• Acceptance of the Governor's Commission on Sustainable South Florida as a permanent advisory committee to the Task Force; and
• Continued close coordination with the South Florida Water Management District.

Commitment 4. The Administration will extend its Reinventing Government policy to the Everglades restoration effort, applying innovative and flexible approaches to restoration. In the next year, the Administration will complete development and begin implementation of:

• A coordinated wetlands protection and permitting plan; and
• A multi-species recovery plan.

Commitment 5. The Clinton Administration will reaffirm its support for changed sharing of the public costs of infrastructure projects, including associated land acquisition, related to restoration projects underway. It will explore the cost-sharing of future projects, following the completion of the Corps of Engineers' Restudy. The President's budget and associated legislation will provide for:

• Revised cost-sharing between the state and federal governments for public costs associated with the C-111 and C-51 restoration infrastructure projects.

Commitment 6. The Clinton Administration will work to ensure that restoration efforts are guided by the best science available. The President's budget will provide funds to support:

• Increasing research activities related to monitoring water quality, mercury, Florida Bay and the Keys, and improved agricultural practices;
• Continuation of the scientific review panel; and
• Completion of the ecosystem scientific baseline.

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