An Overview
In 2004, the State and the South Florida Water Management
District launched a plan of action to advance the design and
construction schedules of a suite of Everglades projects.
Known as Acceler8, work on these key projects is being
funded through Certificates of Participation - the first
time in the country this method of financing is being used
for environmental purposes. Construction has been completed
or initiated on several project components, test cells have
been built and monitored on others and engineering/design is
complete or moving forward on
all initial projects.
Over time, the District expanded this initial list of
projects to also support a number of other restoration and
water quality initiatives now under way in both the Northern
and Southern reaches of South Florida's interconnected
ecosystem. The District's continued commitment to design and
build projects to benefit the environment is now informally
referred to as
"expedited" projects.
By accelerating the funding, design and construction of
these collective projects, the Greater Everglades ecosystem
will experience positive benefits sooner... and in a more
cost-effective manner. The District's fast-tracking efforts
help avoid the inevitable increases in construction
materials and labor costs.
In addition to the primary environmental improvements, these
projects will also provide additional water storage options,
along with the potential for recreational opportunities.
