	Introduction

The Florida Everglades is a unique network of subtropical wetlands that is currently half its historical size. The federal government has a long history of involvement in the Everglades, beginning in the 1940s with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) constructing flood control projects that shunted water flowing south into the Everglades to make way for agricultural and urban development. 106-541 ), Congress approved the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) as a framework for Everglades restoration. Since passage of CERP, nine non-pilot CERP projects have been authorized. Most observers agree that, although progress has been made on Everglades restoration, much more time and funding would be required to achieve restoration as currently contemplated. At issue for Congress is oversight and implementation of efforts to restore the Everglades, including the ongoing federal funding commitment and the priority of Everglades restoration relative to other federal commitments. This report provides information on Everglades restoration, with a focus on the federal role in funding this restoration and related issues for Congress. The report discusses background, trends, and major accomplishments and challenges to date in federal efforts to restore the Everglades. CERP considered and assumed implementation of a number of non-CERP projects; thus, both efforts are considered to be complementary. As of 2014 (when the total cost estimate was last updated), the Corps estimated that completing construction of CERP projects would take more than 50 years and would cost $16.4 billion. Pursuant to CERP, project construction costs are shared 50/50: the federal government is required to pay half of project costs, and an array of state, tribal, and local agencies (i.e., nonfederal sponsors) must pay the other half. Federal Everglades restoration activities not authorized under CERP are often referred to as "non-CERP" or "Foundation" activities. Most (but not all) of the authorities for this funding predate the enactment of CERP in 2000. Similar to CERP funding, non-CERP activities of the Department of the Interior and the Corps typically receive much attention and are often the focal point of congressional consideration. It aims to improve water deliveries to Everglades National Park by removing barriers in and around the Tamiami Trail. Non-CERP DOI Everglades restoration funding provides for a number of different activities in addition to the Mod Waters project. Overall, from FY1993 to FY2016, the total federal investment in Everglades restoration (including agencies other than the Corps and DOI) is estimated to have exceeded $5 billion. For instance, after authorization in FY2007, federal funding for "Generation 1" CERP projects (i.e., projects authorized in WRDA 2007) increased as project construction commenced after years of study and pilot projects; these funding levels began to decline in FY2012 as Generation 1 project construction activities wound down and "Generation 2" projects (i.e., projects with completed project-implementation reports that were proposed and eventually authorized in WRRDA 2014) were awaiting construction authorization. Comparing Federal and State CERP Funding

Many Everglades restoration supporters view the status and amount of federal CERP funding relative to nonfederal funding for restoration activities under CERP as an important indicator of the federal government's commitment to Everglades restoration. As a result, a considerable amount of nonfederal funding for Everglades restoration has been expended by the state of Florida for land acquisition related to the expected "footprint" of future CERP projects. In recent years, the state of Florida's funding of CERP has decreased due to a number of factors, including a decline in state tax revenues and a focus on other aspects of Everglades restoration. Although some projects are nearing completion, the project schedules envisioned in earlier program documents have for the most part not been maintained; a fraction of the project implementation reports originally envisioned under CERP have been finalized.
The Everglades is a unique network of subtropical wetlands in South Florida that is approximately half of its historical size, due in part to degradation from federal water projects built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps). In 2000, Congress authorized a plan, termed the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP), as a comprehensive framework for the restoration of the Everglades ecosystem in southern Florida. When originally authorized, it was estimated that CERP would cost a total of $8.2 billion and take approximately 30 years to complete. More recent estimates indicate that the plan will cost $16.4 billion and will take approximately 50 years to implement. At issue for Congress is oversight and implementation of this commitment.
Under CERP, the federal government (through the Corps and various bureaus within the Department of the Interior) is required to fund half of the costs for restoration, with an array of state, tribal, and local agencies paying the other half. In addition to activities under CERP, a number of ongoing federal and state efforts that predate CERP (known collectively as "non-CERP" or "Foundation" activities) also factor into Everglades restoration. Although non-CERP efforts technically are not part of CERP, the two sets of activities are widely viewed as complementary.
Since passage of CERP in 2000, the federal investment in Everglades restoration has increased. As of the end of FY2016, the federal government had provided in excess of $1.2 billion in funding for CERP, with the state providing matching funds for CERP projects, as well as advanced funding for land acquisition and construction for expected future CERP projects. Federal funding for non-CERP activities has also continued over this period. Together with CERP, all federal Everglades restoration efforts are estimated to have totaled in excess of $5 billion from FY1993 to FY2016. While estimates of nonfederal funding contributions to CERP vary depending on what methodology and assumptions are used, observers agree that to date, the state of Florida has spent more on Everglades restoration than has the federal government.
Although overall progress has fallen short of initial timelines, progress has been made on a number of Everglades restoration projects. The majority of the land necessary for restoration projects under CERP has been acquired, and significant progress has been made on non-CERP activities (including improved water deliveries to Everglades National Park). Of the nine CERP projects that had been authorized by the end of 2016 (not including pilot projects), construction was ongoing or complete at eight projects and studies were completed or under way for a number of other projects. Despite this progress, some projects have seen setbacks in the form of schedule delays and cost escalations. Assuming that the plan does not change significantly and most of the 50 projects included in the original CERP plan are eventually required to complete the effort, many new authorizations and significant additional funding would be necessary. Reviewers of the restoration program have pointed out that at current rates of project authorization and funding, additional delays would be likely.
Reductions to state funding and the enactment of new CERP project authorizations in 2014 and 2016 legislation have brought renewed attention to Everglades restoration. Restoration of the Everglades is one of the largest and most mature efforts of its kind; thus, debate and resolution of Everglades restoration issues has implications not only for South Florida but also for large-scale restoration initiatives elsewhere. This report provides an overview of the federal role in Everglades restoration. It discusses background, funding history, and major accomplishments and challenges to date in federal efforts to restore the Everglades.