For Immediate Release Thursday, April 18, 2013 Contact Brian Crowley, bcrowley@immediacypr.com, 561.568.5709 Sarah Bascom, sarah@bascomllc.

com, 850.294.6636 Everglades Foundation Statement on the Advancement of CS/SB 768 CS/SB 768 Passes Senate Committee on Appropriations, Last Committee of Reference Tallahassee, Fla. - Everglades Foundation CEO Eric Eikenberg today issued the following statement in regards to the advancement of Committee Substitute/Senate Bill 768 by the Senate Committee on Appropriations, its last committee of reference. The Everglades Foundation is pleased with today's action by the full Senate Appropriations to propel CS/SB 768 forward. This bill, which is now available to be taken up on the Senate floor, will ensure continued revenue for protecting Americas Everglades, while also protecting the 1993 Statement of Principles that guide Floridas restoration efforts. We thank Senator Wilton Simpson for his efforts, along with Chairman Joe Negron and members of the full Senate Appropriations Committee for their support of this bill that mirrors House Bill 7065, which has already passed the House by a vote of 114 to 0. This legislation protects water quality standards, provides a reliable source of funding for implementing the states Water Quality Plan and brings together all the stakeholders involved in the future of the Everglades. Historically, protecting and restoring the Everglades has been based on compromise and many parties working together, and this legislation is proof of that collaboration. We remain encouraged that CS/SB 768 will head to the Senate floor for full approval, and we will continue to work with both chambers to ensure needed funding is secured to implement the necessary projects and initiatives that will continue to restore and protect America's Everglades for years to come. ###