An Aug. 13 agreement between state and Federal authorities resolves long-standing issues and promises to remove bureaucratic obstacles to the restoration of the Everglades in South Florida under the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP). The �master agreement� establishes uniform terms and conditions for the project partnership agreements under which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the South Florida Water Management District will cooperate and share costs for the CERP projects.

“The master agreement allows us to move forward on construction on any CERP project,” says Kenneth Ammon, the South Florida Water Management District’s deputy executive director for Everglades restoration. “It’s a huge win for the taxpayer.”