 In 1850 Congress passed a law that gave several states wetlands within their state boundaries . The Swamp and <unk> Lands Act ensured that the state would be responsible for funding the attempts at developing wetlands into <unk> . Florida quickly formed a committee to consolidate grants to pay for such attempts , though attention and funds were diverted owing to the Civil War and Reconstruction . Not until after 1877 did attention return to the Everglades . 
