"Florida Environment To Get Billions, But How To Spend It"

"TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — After years of deep cuts to environmental programs, Florida voters last November overwhelmingly approved Amendment 1, which changed the state constitution to earmark billions for conservation. But the measure left it up to the Legislature and governor to determine the details of how the money will be spent, and that has led to a heated debate.

Gov. Rick Scott is proposing that the Legislature during its upcoming session allocate $150 million for Everglades projects, $50 million for springs restoration and another $150 million or more for conservation land acquisition and management in other parts of the state. Another $177 million would pay off debt obligations from previous conservation work. The Legislature convenes March 3.

What has raised the ire of conservationists is the other portion of Scott's 2015-2016 Amendment 1 budget. A breakdown of this section by the governor's office shows that he is proposing about $63 million for the operations of state agencies, including the Department of Environmental Protection, the five water districts and state parks department. Scott's budget also wants $7.6 million to pay for state park patrol, in addition to $17.5 million of amendment funds for a wastewater treatment project in the Florida Keys."

Jason Dearen reports for the Associated Press February 23, 2015.