Statement of Jonathan Ullman, Everglades Senior
Representative:
“Governor Scott’s commitment of $90 million for Tamiami
Trail bridging is a major step toward the restoration of America’s Everglades. His
announcement of $30 million per year over 3 years is a major step toward the
goal of building a series of bridges to restore water flow into Everglades
National Park. It means we will soon have the funds needed to start
construction of the next span – a 2.6 mile bridge. It will fulfill the requirement
for matching funds requested by Congress under the Obama Administration’s $30
million request for 2014. Ultimately, the 6.5 miles of bridges will provide
water to restore clean, natural water flow to the Everglades helping to restore
wetlands and provide a buffer against climate change and sea level rise. Sierra
Club joined by environmental and community allies have been calling for
bridging of Tamiami Trail almost two decades, and today is a day to celebrate. Governor
Scott’s announcement is the kind of state-federal partnership and cooperation
that Floridians and Americans deserve.”
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