The history of the Modified Water Deliveries to Everglades National Park project—known as Mod Waters—is one of the most discouraging stories in Everglades restoration. The project was initiated in 1989, long before the Restoration Plan was established. It aims to restore more natural water flows into Everglades National Park and serves as a foundation for much of the Restoration Plan effort that follows. Unfortunately, Mod Waters has been plagued for nearly 20 years by changes in direction and scope, parochial interests, litigation, cost escalation, engineering constraints, and a lack of coordinated leadership. Although some of these events may have been unavoidable, the outcome has been a loss of support from Congress and a loss of enthusiasm from the public. Worst of all, the history of delay further damages Everglades National Park.

           In 2008, the plan for modifying Tamiami Trail, a roadway that restricts water flow into the park, was reduced in scope after Congress rejected an earlier plan as too expensive. The revised plan provides some environmental benefits, but it also shifts increased responsibility and cost to the Restoration Plan. Although it is critical to implement these modifications quickly, they are only a first step toward restoration. If even this relatively modest restoration project cannot proceed and provide some restoration benefits, the outlook for the Plan is dismal.