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WASHINGTON,
Sept. 25 —
The
Senate on Monday overwhelmingly approved what lawmakers called the largest
environmental restoration project in history — a $7.8 billion, 38-year effort
to return clean water to the Florida Everglades. The legislation, which still
must be taken up by the House, calls for a massive federal construction project
to restore the historic water flows through the 300-mile long Everglades
ecosystem.
Despite bipartisan support in Congress and
the White House’s backing, the measure could still encounter problems in the
House with adjournment fast approaching. Supporters are hoping to speed it to
the floor in the next two weeks.
If passed, the Everglades rescue is likely
to be the only major environmental bill to clear the 106th Congress.
The Everglades project was included in
legislation that also authorized 22 other flood control, waterway navigation and
environmental restoration projects by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which
also will be in charge of the Everglades restoration.
The bill, which also authorized 35 water
project studies, passed by a vote of 85-1.
The Senate legislation would authorize the first $1.4 billion installment of
the plan — half of the money coming from the federal government and the rest
from state funds.
Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., called the rescue
effort “historic” and said it will provide an environmental legacy for
future generations. Without action “we could lose what is left” of the
Everglades ecosystem, he added.
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