TALLAHASSEE, Florida — The state budget committee handling environment, natural resources and agriculture spending items bumped several key issues to the Legislature’s budget chairs Friday, and still remain far apart on spending for the Florida Everglades.
Everglades restoration projects are funded through multiple budget items, some of which the state House and state Senate reached agreements on during the committee process. Yet the two chambers are still apart on key items, such as funding for a massive water improvement project that involves building the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir. The Senate’s most recent proposal includes about $424.7 million for the project, while the House has offered about $249.3 million.
“We’re trying to get every dollar we can, because that’s a near and dear one to my heart,” said state Rep. John Snyder (R-Stuart), the committee’s House chair.
The House and Senate also remain at odds on other items like oyster restoration. The Senate has proposed giving the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission $19.65 million for oyster restoration, which may be used to rebuild oysters in Apalachicola Bay, though the House is only offering its originally proposed $2.1 million.
