Dozens of outdoor brands sign letter to Congress showing support for record federal investment in Everglades restoration.
As Congress chips away at the federal budget for FY2024, we’re asking them to step up their investment in the effort to restore the iconic River of Grass. Specifically, we’re asking them to go bold and to designate $725 million in funding for Everglades restoration, the unifying effort to restore an invaluable American Treasure.
Joined by outdoor brands from across the country, we officially submitted our support for such record funding in a recent letter to the congressional Committees on Appropriations and Subcommittees on Energy & Water Development and Related Agencies.
With the letter, we’re asking Congress to be bold, but we’re also just asking them to be smart, because investing in Everglades restoration is simply the smart thing to do.
Authorized in 2000, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is a 50/50 partnership between Washington and the State of Florida. As such, each federal dollar invested leverages at least a matching dollar by the state—it’s like a 401(k) for environmental repair.
The program itself is a national model for federal-state collaboration, but beyond that, it’s a no-brainer investment.
That’s because Everglades restoration—and the health of the greater Everglades system encompassing most of south Florida—is directly linked to monumental economic and ecological benefits.
The Everglades: an all-around good investment
As the largest ecosystem restoration project of its kind in the world, Everglades restoration comes with total price tag that could understandably stir up some sticker shock for many. (When it’s all said and done, the plan is projected to be completed in 2050 and cost about $23 billion in FY2020 dollars.)
But when you consider that Everglades restoration is a 4:1 return on investment for Florida’s economy, a largely tourism-based economy driven by clean water and healthy coastlines, the numbers just become sensible investing. Spend $725 million to generate $3 billion in economic impact? No brainer.
The Everglades also provides drinking water for 9 million south Florida residents, so ensuring successful restoration efforts is critical for water security. Make sure millions of people can drink water? No brainer.
Not to mention, the 1.5-million-acre World Heritage Site is made up of a massive network of wetlands and serves as a major carbon sink, building ecological and community resilience.
But some of the biggest impacts of restoration hit closest to home for our community.
It affects our way of life in Florida. It affects our lifestyles and livelihoods that depend on clean water.
It affects the 4 million registered anglers in the state, Florida’s $13.8 billion recreational fishing economy, and the Sunshine State’s $33 billion outdoor recreation economy, driven by fishing, boating, hunting, and other outdoor pursuits.
And most importantly, it affects almost 120,000 sportfishing industry jobs that depend on Florida being the Fishing Capital of the World.
United from coast to coast
That’s why our outdoor industry partners from across the country have joined us in our request to Congress.
Brands from Texas to Vermont, Montana to South Carolina, Washington to Wisconsin, and Oregon to California have signed onto our official letter to Congress. Brands from south Florida, north Florida, the east and west coasts.
The industry understands, this is everyone’s fight, and everyone has skin in the game—it’s up to all of us to lend a hand and pull the rope for a national wild wonder.
And now, you can lend a hand too. You can sign our petition to show your support to Congress for the allocation of $725 million in federal funding to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
Ensuring sufficient funding for Everglades restoration is an ongoing battle. Every year, we’ll be at the forefront asking for maximum funding possible because without sufficient continued funding, critical infrastructure projects like the EAA Reservoir will stall.
We’ve seen what political stagnation can do and we won’t allow regression. We will continue being a champion for Everglades restoration every step of the way.
Join us and the outdoor community—submit your support to this record federal investment. Take just a few minutes today to help improve our waters for years to come.
Dozens of outdoor brands sign letter to Congress showing support for record federal investment in Everglades restoration.
As Congress chips away at the federal budget for FY2024, we’re asking them to step up their investment in the effort to restore the iconic River of Grass. Specifically, we’re asking them to go bold and to designate $725 million in funding for Everglades restoration, the unifying effort to restore an invaluable American Treasure.
Joined by outdoor brands from across the country, we officially submitted our support for such record funding in a recent letter to the congressional Committees on Appropriations and Subcommittees on Energy & Water Development and Related Agencies.
With the letter, we’re asking Congress to be bold, but we’re also just asking them to be smart, because investing in Everglades restoration is simply the smart thing to do.
Authorized in 2000, the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) is a 50/50 partnership between Washington and the State of Florida. As such, each federal dollar invested leverages at least a matching dollar by the state—it’s like a 401(k) for environmental repair.
The program itself is a national model for federal-state collaboration, but beyond that, it’s a no-brainer investment.
That’s because Everglades restoration—and the health of the greater Everglades system encompassing most of south Florida—is directly linked to monumental economic and ecological benefits.
The Everglades: an all-around good investment
As the largest ecosystem restoration project of its kind in the world, Everglades restoration comes with total price tag that could understandably stir up some sticker shock for many. (When it’s all said and done, the plan is projected to be completed in 2050 and cost about $23 billion in FY2020 dollars.)
But when you consider that Everglades restoration is a 4:1 return on investment for Florida’s economy, a largely tourism-based economy driven by clean water and healthy coastlines, the numbers just become sensible investing. Spend $725 million to generate $3 billion in economic impact? No brainer.
The Everglades also provides drinking water for 9 million south Florida residents, so ensuring successful restoration efforts is critical for water security. Make sure millions of people can drink water? No brainer.
Not to mention, the 1.5-million-acre World Heritage Site is made up of a massive network of wetlands and serves as a major carbon sink, building ecological and community resilience.
But some of the biggest impacts of restoration hit closest to home for our community.
It affects our way of life in Florida. It affects our lifestyles and livelihoods that depend on clean water.
It affects the 4 million registered anglers in the state, Florida’s $13.8 billion recreational fishing economy, and the Sunshine State’s $33 billion outdoor recreation economy, driven by fishing, boating, hunting, and other outdoor pursuits.
And most importantly, it affects almost 120,000 sportfishing industry jobs that depend on Florida being the Fishing Capital of the World.
United from coast to coast
That’s why our outdoor industry partners from across the country have joined us in our request to Congress.
Brands from Texas to Vermont, Montana to South Carolina, Washington to Wisconsin, and Oregon to California have signed onto our official letter to Congress. Brands from south Florida, north Florida, the east and west coasts.
The industry understands, this is everyone’s fight, and everyone has skin in the game—it’s up to all of us to lend a hand and pull the rope for a national wild wonder.
And now, you can lend a hand too. You can sign our petition to show your support to Congress for the allocation of $725 million in federal funding to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
Ensuring sufficient funding for Everglades restoration is an ongoing battle. Every year, we’ll be at the forefront asking for maximum funding possible because without sufficient continued funding, critical infrastructure projects like the EAA Reservoir will stall.
We’ve seen what political stagnation can do and we won’t allow regression. We will continue being a champion for Everglades restoration every step of the way.