Palmetto Bay, Fla. February 10, 2020 – Eric Eikenberg, CEO of The Everglades Foundation, has issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s FY 2021 budget request for $250 million for continued Everglades restoration projects.
“We want to thank President Trump for listening to the bipartisan Florida Congressional delegation and the more than 40,000 people who contacted the White House expressing their love of America’s Everglades, their desire to solve Florida’s water crisis and their strong support for Everglades restoration. Today’s reported announcement is a victory for each and every one of them.
“This $250 million — a $50 million increase over this year’s funding — is the minimum investment needed for the next fiscal year to restore America’s Everglades for future generations, reduce polluted water discharges from Lake Okeechobee to Florida’s coastal communities, and help ensure clean drinking water for more than 8 million Floridians. It is also a necessary first step in a ramp-up of future investments needed that will allow construction to be completed on the ambitious schedule advanced by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. We look forward to working with our Florida Congressional delegation and our friends in both Houses to persuade Congress to approve the President’s request.”
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About The Everglades Foundation
The Everglades Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to leading efforts to restore and protect the greater Everglades ecosystem. Since its founding in 1993 by a group of local outdoor enthusiasts, the Foundation has become a respected and important advocate for the sustainability of one of the world’s most unique ecosystems. For more information, please visit EvergladesFoundation.org.