Without question, Everglades restoration is only about Everglades restoration—not about draining off wetlands, interrupting sheetflow of water or enabling development on natural lands. That already happened...in the 19th and early 20th centuries during Florida's history of environmentally not-so-friendly growth. Perhaps that history is what makes it hard for some to believe that ecosystem restoration in South Florida is actually taking place. I can assure you that it is. The South Florida Water Management District, aided by many partners, has been busy expanding treatment areas to improve Everglades water quality, restoring thousands of acres of wetlands, building water storage reservoirs, back-filling unneeded drainage canals, creating impoundments to manage seepage from conservation areas and eradicating exotic plants that are invading natural areas—to name just a few. These projects were developed with public input, following state and federal guidelines and in compliance with Florida's Sunshine Laws. There is no hidden agenda, no secret goal to build a city in the middle of the Everglades, as a recent article in this newspaper suggested. We invite well-informed dialogue and involvement on the many challenges facing Everglades restoration, but we also must set the record straight when misinformation and unfounded assumptions would mislead readers into thinking that Everglades restoration is nothing more than a smokescreen for environmental harm. Nothing could be further from the truth. I invite you to learn more at http://www.evergladesnow.org The facts, the photos and the phenomenal progress are on full display. Kenneth G. Ammon, P.E.
Deputy Executive Director, South Florida Water Management District | 
