A Time to Act

"A Time to Act," January 2000 Everglades Coalition Conference in Naples slogan. The time had come for restoration to be addressed. Conservationists had stopped hunting of particular birds in the everglades and had helped preserve millions of acres of wetlands as well as secure the 'largest nutrient cleanup in history.' But this was not enough. The Everglades ecosystem was not in balance and development was also preventing the region from redeeming itself in other words.

There was a Homestead airport to be built in 2000 the most prominent threat to the ecosystem in a generation. Alan Farago, activist leading the airport opposition would have a big role in the outcome of the airport construction. Alex Penelas, the most prominent Cuban-American Democrat, was the airport's leading supporter. And Jorge Mas Santos, leader of the Cuban American National Foundation, anti-Castro group, would be one of the airports key investors. The basic message exhibited to the public by the disputers of the airport was that it made no sense for the federal government to construct a major airport near to the Everglades, but yet wanted it's taxpayers to spend $8 billion to restore the Everglades. 

Al Gore was a major figure in whether the airport would get constructed or not, but Gore refused to take a stand. He said he pledged to only seek a "balanced solution" that would help the economy without harming the climate. Gore was walking a line between Democrating-leaning environmentalists and Republican-leaning Cuban-Americans.

After much political footwork and obstacles Clinton finally signed the Everglades bill on December 11, 2000. The 20th century had been a time of 'mess-making' and the 21st century would be a time to clean up the mess. There were many unanswered questions but overall it was a step in the right direction and a movement toward a sounder environment.