Budget Calls for $20 Million Increase for
Everglades National Park Land Acquisition;
Part of $1 Billion Lands Legacy Initiative

(Everglades National Park, FL)  Everglades National Park would receive $20 million for additional parkland acquisition under the FY 2000 budget proposal submitted to Congress by President Clinton Monday, part of a $1 billion Lands Legacy Initiative announced by the President to expand federal protection of critical lands and help states and communities preserve local green spaces.

"The Lands Legacy funding will provide important acquisition opportunities and enhance protection for vital areas throughout the National Park and Wildlife Refuge Systems," said U.S. Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt, whose agency oversees the U.S. National Park Service and Fish and Wildlife Service. "Lands Legacy demonstrates a historic dedication by the President and Vice President to protecting our national parks, wildlife refuges and local community open spaces."

The $20 million for Everglades National Park would be used to acquire approximately 17,321 acres of the Park’s Expansion Area. This area, authorized by Congress in 1989, is crucial for restoration of water flows to the Northeast Shark River Slough. Additional funds are included in the budget request for matching funds to acquire buffer and storage/filtration areas in the region.

Nationally, another part of the $1 billion program will involve $588 million in matching grants to state and local governments.

This money will be used for acquisition of land and easements for urban parks, greenways, outdoor recreation, wildlife habitat conservation and coastal wetlands, fisheries and coral reef protection. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis , with priority going to projects consistent with statewide smart growth plans aimed at expanding open spaces.

The Lands Legacy Initiative investment represents a 125 percent increase over FY 1999 funding-- the largest one-year investment ever in the preservation of America’s natural spaces. It includes $900 million from the Land and Water Conservation fund (LWCF), marking the first time any Administration has requested full funding from LWCF, which draws its revenues from federal offshore oil leases. The Everglades National Park parkland acquisition is funded through this Land and Water Conservation Fund.

"The President has made it clear that he wants to work with Congress to obtain this funding not only for this fiscal year, but to create a permanent funding stream beginning in the 2001 fiscal year," Secretary Babbitt said. "Theodore Roosevelt began this century with a renewed emphasis on conservation. The President and Vice President are providing the same sort of conservation leadership to start the 21st Century. This is a remarkable legacy for future generations of Americans."

Kevin Schneider, WASO Public Affairs
Tel: 202/208-6843
Rick Cook, Everglades NPPublic Affairs Officer
Tel: 305/242-7714