SCCF applauds new Everglades restoration groundbreaking

On May 18, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation attended the groundbreaking for the Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP) North the first of four phases to restore the hydrology of the central Everglades

The SCCF reported that CEPP will include an aboveground reservoir, storm water treatment area and conveyance features to redistribute necessary additional water flows to the Everglades It will also improve the timing and distribution of water to the Everglades and Florida Bay, allowing water to flow south along its natural historic paths

“Rehydrating these dry areas through CEPP North will ensure that the restoration progress we have made is not undone by a muck fire and will strengthen these complex ecosystems,” SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis said “This brings us one step closer to a healthy restored Everglades ”

At the event, he spoke with key water management leaders about restoration efforts across Southwest Florida, including South Florida Water Management District Executive Director Drew Bartlett and Governing Board Member Charlette Roman

During his opening remarks, Bartlett explained how CEPP will improve and backfill canals and build new structures to re-establish the ridge, slough and tree-island landscape that once provided resources to the Everglades’ vast biodiversity

“This project directly restores the habitat of the Everglades,” he said

CEPP is part of the Central Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), a multibillion restoration plan passed by Congress in 2000 and the largest hydrologic restoration plan ever undertaken in the United States Since CERP was passed, about 50 projects have been initiated or completed

Adult reddish egret, a state-designated threatened species, with two new branchlings

Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis