Some environmental groups on Friday said Gov. Rick Scott's new Everglades restoration strategy attempts to push back restoration seven years or more.
The governor met Thursday with top Obama administration officials to outline a restoration strategy that calls for meeting a 10 parts per billion phosphorus limit by 2025 by creating new and expanded filter marshes.
Environmental groups said Friday the strategy would delay a 2016 deadline in state law for Everglades restoration.
"What Florida needs is Everglades restoration, not sugar industry profitability restoration; that's what this is," said David Guest, managing partner with the Earthjustice law firm in Tallahassee.
But a DEP spokeswoman said the plan is consistent with state law and court-imposed deadlines.
Other groups offered at least some praise for the governor and the federal agencies.
Audubon of Florida said in a statement that Florida and the federal agencies are working together on a strategy that can achieve restoration.
Everglades Foundation CEO Kirk Fordham said Scott appears to be focusing more on Everglades restoration. But he said shifting the cost burden from sugar farms to taxpayers is a nonstarter.
Fordham also said the initial presentation on the strategy is lacking data or details. And he expressed concerns that the plan would delay restoration beyond which the group believes is necessary.
"We're realistic enough know it is unlikely we will meet the 2016 deadline," Fordham said. "That is not to say these timelines need to be stretched out in a fashion that is unnecessary if the governor is willing to commit resources" towards restoration.
DEP Press Secretary Jennifer Diaz said the Everglades Forever Act set a 2016 deadline for initial implementation, consistent with the 10-year implementation strategy proposed by Florida consistent with court deadlines.
"All have the same goals of achieving water quality standards in the Everglades," Diaz said. She also said the cost and details of the plan still are being worked out.
Fordham also said environmental groups had concerns early about Scott but he is now paying close personal attention to the Everglades issue.
"I think it is still early enough in his term," Fordham said, "that this governor has the ability to build a legacy on Everglades issues that might surprise folks."