Sierra Club Applauds Gov. Scott's Financial Commitment to Tamiami Trail Bridging
Statement of Jonathan Ullman, Sierra Club Everglades Senior Representative:
"Governor Scott's commitment of $90 million for Tamiami Trail bridging is a major step toward the restoration of America's Everglades. His announcement of $30 million per year over three years is a major step toward the goal of building a series of bridges to restore water flow into Everglades National Park. It means we will soon have the funds needed to start construction of the next span — a 2.6 mile bridge. It will fulfill the requirement for matching funds requested by Congress under the Obama Administration's $30 million request for 2014. Ultimately, the 6.5 miles of bridges will provide water to restore clean, natural water flow to the Everglades helping to restore wetlands and provide a buffer against climate change and sea level rise. Sierra Club joined by environmental and community allies have been calling for bridging of Tamiami Trail almost two decades, and today is a day to celebrate. Governor Scott's announcement is the kind of state-federal partnership and cooperation that Floridians and Americans deserve."