Next, the Florida legislature enacted the landmark Everglades Forever Act in May of 1994. It established new water quality and delivery goals and a mechanism for coordinating Everglades-related activities. The following year, the federal task force was expanded to include the state of Florida, Native American tribes, and the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida. The goal of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's strategic plan for south Florida is to maintain a profitable agricultural economy while developing strategies that contribute to a healthy ecosystem and sustainable communities. USDA believes that, properly managed, south Florida agriculture can contribute to the restoration and maintenance of the area ecosystem.
Agriculture is a major source of support and revenue for restoration efforts.
Agricultural lands also contribute to ground and surface water storage and recharge, filtration, nutrient uptake, buffer areas and wildlife habitat, noxious weed control, and more. The Agricultural Research Service is an important component of the science element of USDA's strategic plan. The agency's scientific expertise plays a key role in developing technologies to achieve the ultimate goal of agricultural, economic, and ecological sustainability. For example, ARS entomologists are cooperating in the search for means to stall the spread of melaleuca, a persistent woody plant pest aggressively invading Florida's wetlands. Since neither herbicidal controls nor field burning has proved to be effective, labor- intensive hand pulling and cutting have been the primary control methods.