The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan

The First Five Years

A journey is underway to restore the Everglades. In 2000, Congress authorized the

Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), the largest environmental restoration effort in

history. CERP will enhance Everglades wetlands and associated lakes, rivers, and bays in the 16-county 

region of south Florida. CERP projects will capture and store much of the 1.7 billion gallons of water a day 

currently lost to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, to revitalize south Florida’s natural environment.

The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan was developed in the 1990s with widespread public 

interest and support. Many public meetings were held and thousands of people provided input into the final 

plan – resulting in a widely supported plan that balances many competing interests. 

Today, the plan is being implemented. A major milestone has been reached: 2005 marked the fifth year of 

the implementation of CERP. In this short time, much progress has been made to restore the Everglades 

and south Florida’s ecosystem. Some highlights follow:

Continuing Foundation Projects: Related projects that 

provide the foundation for CERP moved forward with many 

nearing completion. These projects include restoring the 

Kissimmee River, improving water flows to Everglades National 

Park, and building treatment marshes to improve water quality 

in the northern Everglades. 

Buying Land: More than 207,000 acres of land – or 51 

percent of that needed – has been acquired at a cost of nearly 

$1 billion. Land acquisition has been accelerated so needed 

parcels can be purchased at today’s prices and while they

remain available.

Beginning Pilot Projects: A regional study and pilot 

projects have begun to test the feasibility of large-scale aquifer 

storage and recovery and seepage management technologies. 

Information provided will help answer questions about

these technologies. 

Designing CERP Projects: Everglades restoration is a 

complex undertaking comprised of more than 50 individual 

projects. Principal features of these projects include water 

storage reservoirs, treatment marshes, removal of manmade 

barriers that block water flow, reduction of underground 

seepage, and more. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its 

partners are in various stages of planning for 19 of these

individual projects. 

Indian River Lagoon

Kissimmee River

Lake Okeechobee
Plans Completed for Two Projects: Recommended final 

plans were completed for two important CERP projects: Indian 

River Lagoon South and Picayune Strand (Southern Golden Gate 

Estates) Hydrologic Restoration. After Congressional 

authorization, these projects will move into the detailed design

and construction phases.

Establishing Management Processes and 

Agreements: CERP is a $10.5 billion mission spanning 30 

years and involving many levels of government and stakeholders. 

Important management agreements, processes, and guidance 

documents were established to ensure that the goals of CERP are 

met. 

Banding Projects: The more than 50 CERP projects were 

prioritized and banded into five-year time frames. This will ensure 

projects are implemented in the most cost-effective manner and 

benefits to the natural environment are provided as quickly

as possible. 

Involving the Public: Many efforts have been made to 

engage the public in CERP implementation. Public meetings and 

workshops, special events, and the distribution of creative print 

and electronic products have all helped raise awareness. 

Tremendous efforts have been made to involve minority and low 

income communities and those with limited English proficiency. 

Special efforts have been made to communicate CERP 

contracting opportunities to small and minority businesses. 

The Next Five Years

During the next five years, key goals will be met. Foundation projects will be completed; 

pilot and regional studies will provide valuable information; construction of CERP projects 

will begin; and the natural environment will exhibit noticeable improvements.

To Learn More

The 2005 Report to Congress provides a full overview of CERP, including past and 

projected accomplishments, funding issues, outreach activities, banding of projects, and 

many more related topics. Please visit www.evergladesplan.org to review the complete 

report and for much more information on Everglades restoration.

Regional Business Expo

Public Meeting

1-877-CERP-USA

www.evergladesplan.org