The U.S. House overwhelmingly passed landmark legislation on Friday that would provide $1.4 billion to begin a 30-year effort to restore the Florida Everglades, one of the largest environmental restoration projects in history. The measure, part of a larger water resources bill, was approved by the Senate on Tuesday and is expected to be signed enthusiastically by President Clinton. The restoration project, which will be jointly paid for by Florida and the federal government, aims to undo 50 years of damage caused by building canals, levees, and pumping stations to open up land for development and agriculture and decrease the risk of floods. The plan is broadly supported by environmentalists, agriculture interests, Indian tribes, and politicians on both sides of the aisle.
