By Michael Peltier
TC Palm
04/29/08

TALLAHASSEE — With the clock ticking, environmentalists applauded late-night maneuvers Sunday to place $50 million into a cash-strapped budget to improve water quality in the Everglades including money for the St. Lucie River and Lake Okeechobee.

When Senate and House leaders closed out budget negotiations Sunday, continued money for Everglades restoration was not included in the $65 billion plan. Late-night negotiations and the intervention of Gov. Charlie Crist appear to have changed that fate. The budget now sets aside $50 million.

The spending plan would divvy up Everglades money between southern portions and projects aimed at improving water quality into Lake Okeechobee, the St. Lucie and other portions of the northern Everglades.

The list of priorities will be decided in May at a meeting of the South Florida Water Management District board of governors.

Even without additional funding, Sen. Burt Saunders, R-Naples, said the South Florida Water Management District has $229 million set aside for Everglades restoration next year through the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project.

"We will still have numerous CERP projects this (upcoming) year even if we don't spend another penny," said Saunders, sponsor of Florida Forever and Everglades legislation, the state's primary land-buying program. "Anyway you cut it, that is significant and continued state support of the Everglades."

Facing a Sunday deadline for budget negotiations to conclude, environmental groups urged Crist to enter the fray after a Senate proposal to spend $100 million as the next installment in Everglades funding was cut in negotiations with the House.

The money comes in addition to $300 million set aside for Florida Forever.

"We're appreciative of whatever funding we can get in this tough budget session," said Eric Draper, deputy of policy for Audubon of Florida.

Rep. Stan Mayfield, R-Vero Beach, said legislative leaders have been working for weeks to find some way to fund at least some Everglades projects, with the hope that the economy will turn around.

"I think the funding will allow programs to continue without too much damage," Mayfield said.

Saunders feared Friday it was too late to salvage the additional money to bolster the state's commitment.

"There is some discretion as to how the money will be spent," Saunders said. "The budget gives the district some flexibility, but I think most of the money will be spent in the southern Everglades."

Asked how the item was included in the budget after negotiators had apparently concluded their work, Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, deferred comments to his budget chairman, Sen. Lisa Carlton, R-Osprey, who said leaders continued to discuss details after the meeting adjourned.

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