The benefits of public-private partnerships for both entities, and above all else the environment, are clear. These are some summary facts for the PPP projects that the District has done. Quite impressive!
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Reduces excess water flowing into Lake Okeechobee during the wet season
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Reduces the amount of water discharged to the coastal estuaries for flood protection
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Provides valuable groundwater recharge for water supply
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Improves water quality and rehydration of drained systems
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Enhances plant and wildlife habitat
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Helps sustain the local economy
By the numbers:
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Through a combination of public and private projects, 131,500 acre-feet of water retention/storage has been made available to date
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To date, the District has collaborated with more than 100 participating landowners
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The ultimate goal for the program is to provide 450,000 acre-feet of retention/storage throughout the Northern Everglades watershed
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450,000 acre-feet of additional storage equates to approximately 1 foot of water off of Lake Okeechobee
Ernie Barnett, Senior Manager South Florida Water Management District