Audubon Florida commends legislators for passing HB 7065 to ratify and help fund the Everglades Water Quality Plan.  

The plan, announced by Governor Rick Scott last year last year, sets an enforceable Everglades water quality effluent limit and proposes a set of projects to remove phosphorous pollution from water leaving farm fields and entering the Everglades Protection Area. 

HB 7065 ratifies the cleanup projects set forth in Governor Scott's plan, extends the tax paid by sugarcane and other farmers to help fund the cleanup, and finds that best management practices reduce nutrients flowing to the Everglades. The legislation provides about $92 million from the tax on farmland and $32 million from the state budget.

“The Everglades needs more clean freshwater delivered at the right time of year to support our iconic wildlife and native plants. This legislation is an important step in the Everglades restoration process,” said Audubon Florida Director Eric Draper.    

“Audubon commends Governor Rick Scott, the bill’s sponsors, and other legislators and would like to acknowledge the sugar industry for creating a consensus on clean up. And we hope that all players will now work together to advance the greater cause of restoration.”