What:

The South Florida Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainability project consists of nearly 200 environmental restoration, growth management, agricultural, and urban revitalization projects, programs, and initiatives that are designed to make South Florida more sustainable in the future.

Goals

• restore the natural hydrology of South Florida
• enhance and recover native habitats and species
• revitalize urban core areas to reduce the outward migration of suburbs and improve the quality of life in core areas

Premises

• on their current courses the natural and built environments of South Florida are not sustainable
• the environment, society, and economics of South Florida are not discrete systems but are related interlinking subsystems that make up the South Florida ecosystem

Vision

• a landscape whose health, integrity, and beauty is restored and is nourished by its interrelationship with South Florida's human communities

Who:

Participants in the restoration effort include

• six federal departments (12 agencies)
• seven agencies and commissions of the state of Florida
• two American Indian tribes
• 16 counties and scores of municipal governments
• representatives from major state industries• commercial and private sectors
• special interest groups

Restoration activities are generally guided and coordinated by the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, its Florida-based Working Group, various advisory boards (e.g., the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida), and other technical working groups (e.g., the Science Coordination Team, Public Outreach Steering and Support Team, and project coordination teams). These entities interact and cooperate with one another through federal and state mandates, formal agreements, treaty and trust responsibilities, ordinances, partnerships, and coalitions.

Where:

The ecosystem restoration project area extends from the Chain of Lakes south of Orlando to the reefs surrounding historic Fort Jefferson southwest of the Florida Keys. The area encompasses all the terrestrial and aquatic habitats in this area. It also includes the metropolitan areas of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, and other growing communities in South Florida. As defined the ecosystem covers approximately 10,800 square miles (28,000 square kilometers) and includes 11 major physiographic provinces.

Why:

Water is the common lifeline for the natural and built environments. Engineered flood control and water distribution systems, agriculture, growth, and development have disrupted the region's water quality, quantity, timing, and distribution (i.e., the hydropattern). Agricultural runoff and urban stormwater have introduced high levels of phosphorus, mercury, and other contaminants into the water system, polluting lakes, rivers, estuaries, and the Everglades. Abnormally high discharge of stormwater into estuaries and coastal waters has severely degraded aquatic habitats that support fish, birds, and other species. Groundwater is threatened by saltwater intrusion and other marine-induced pollutants. These impacts have significantly stressed the natural system. Evidence of these impacts include

• 50% reduction in the original acreage of the Everglades
• 90%–95% decrease in wading-bird populations
• 68 threatened or endangered species
• 2 million acre-feet of water lost from the system through discharge annually
• 1 million acres of the ecosystem under health advisories from mercury contamination
• phosphorus contamination of Lake Okeechobee, the Everglades, and surrounding wetlands
• the rampant spread of invasive, exotic plants and the displacement of native speciesRapid population increase, development, and urban sprawl along the state's coastal areas have similarly stressed the built environment.

Agricultural areas in the interior face related problems stemming from growth and urban sprawl. Indicators of stress in the built environment include

• 16% reduction in agricultural lands
• high numbers of sites contaminated by hazardous materials (brownfields)
• greater unemployment, lower income and education levels, and a high prevalence of poverty in urban cores
• repetitive water shortages and salt water intrusion
• increased demands for roads, utilities, and services in response to the outward growth of suburbs
• decreased tax bases in urban cores / overly stressed infrastructures

How:

Restoration efforts are guided by three linked strategies.

Adaptive Management. Restoration participants recognize that not all the data needed to restore the ecosystem is in hand. They also recognize the need to move forward. Therefore, restoration efforts employ an overall strategy that implements action where possible, while continuing to collect and refine data. This iterative, feedback approach, termed adaptive management, relies heavily on predictive modeling and support studies to identify management alternatives and evaluate their potentials. It also employs extensive monitoring to assess the progress of management actions and to provide feedback for refining both restoration actions and predictive models. This approach provides the structure for initiating critical projects immediately, the flexibility to modify activities when needed, and the coordination to ensure accountability.

Innovative Management. The restoration effort further recognizes that decisions must be based on sound science. Yet, science alone is not the answer. Using systemwide management techniques that deal with issues holistically, are outcome-oriented, and overcome institutional barriers are also important. Because the ecosystem does not recognize governmental jurisdictions, successful restoration efforts must also employ integrated governance to coordinate the activities of federal, state, tribal, regional, and local governmental entities and to find ways to streamline management and funding. Finally, broad-based partnership and public outreach are essential for building a consensus on needed actions and for maintaining good lines of communication with the public and among restoration partners.

Action. Critical projects are underway to restore the regional hydropattern, recover endangered species and habitats, and revitalize urban cores and manage growth. Projects like the Kissimmee River Restoration Project, Everglades Construction Program, and the Water Preserve Areas Project demonstrate that more natural hydropatterns can be reestablished. The Multi-Species Recovery Project underscores the need to address issues holistically and on a regionwide basis. The innovative Eastward Ho! Initiative shows how public, private, and governmental entities can work together to breathe new life into urban areas and foster more sustainable lifestyles. Finally, the South Dade Land Use / Water Management Planning Project and the Florida Keys Carrying Capacity Study provide excellent examples for a more sustainable future. These ambitious projects show that a sustainable South Florida can become a reality.

When:

Now, and the next 50 years. Reestablishing a healthy and sustainable ecosystem, including both the natural and built environments, is a massive undertaking that will take decades to complete and will require long-term funding commitments. The progress made to date shows that the current methods work and will continue to be improved. Ultimate success will depend on continued consensus and cooperation among restoration partners, shared responsibilities, and consistent funding. Restoring the South Florida ecosystem will secure the future of South Florida and will provide valuable examples of restoration methods and strategies that can be applied elsewhere.