TALLAHASSEE — May 13, 2003 — Governor Jeb Bush is reaching out to legal advisors, technical experts and the public about efforts to restore America's Everglades. Today, Governor Bush unveiled a new website inviting the nation to learn more about the largest environmental restoration of its kind. Providing extensive and up to date information on Everglades restoration, water quality, legislation, funding and scientific research, the Department of Environmental Protection website outlines Florida's progress to restore the famed River of Grass at www.EvergladesForeverAct.com.

"This is a complex issue that has been clouded by a lot of misinformation. Florida's commitment to Everglades cleanup should not be questioned. It remains steadfast," said Governor Bush. "This is an invitation to personally review Florida's report card on this monumental undertaking and to stay informed about the facts of the Everglades restoration."

Seeking external legal advice, Governor Bush selected two attorneys to review the Everglades Forever Act. Governor Bush has asked F. Henry Habicht, Chief Executive Officer of the Global Environment and Technology Foundation, and Parker D. Thomson, managing partner of the Miami Office of Hogan and Hartson L.L.P., to conduct an impartial evaluation of current legislation to amend the Everglades Forever Act.

"I have asked two respected legal experts to evaluate the legislation currently under consideration, to compare it to the original act passed nearly a decade ago and to assess its impact on federal agreements," said Governor Bush. "With their exceptional experience, I am confident they will provide a fair, unbiased and balanced assessment of the facts."

F. Henry Habicht served as the Deputy Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from 1989 to 1993. He also served as Assistant Attorney General of the U.S. Department of Justice under the Reagan Administration where he directed the Environment and Natural Resources Division. He holds a J.D. from the University of Virginia and an A.B. from Princeton University.

A Princeton University and Harvard Law School graduate, Parker D. Thomson is an accomplished litigator. He has regularly represented private and public clients, including the State of Florida, in the U.S Supreme Court, the Florida Supreme Court and various state and federal courts throughout Florida. Mr. Thomson successfully resolved litigation to preserve public ownership of Florida's Fisheating Creek and represented Florida's environment in the Peace River and Coastal Petroleum cases. In 1989, Mr. Thomson was recognized by 1000 Friends of Florida for his work safeguarding the state's public trust in its land and waters.

The special counsel will also assess the effect of the proposed legislation on the 1992 court-approved settlement agreement between the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South Florida Water Management District and the federal government. The agreement establishes acceptable phosphorus concentration levels and directs clean up of water flowing over federal lands, which include Everglades National Park and the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.

In a separate briefing on Florida's compliance with the federal agreement, Governor Bush will meet with members of the Technical Oversight Committee, which was established under the federal settlement to oversee water quality monitoring, phosphorus management and scientific research related to clean up activities guided by the federal settlement.

"As I said in my letter to Judge Hoeveler, Florida will not deviate from the path of progress memorialized and made binding by the court," said Governor Bush. "Under my watch, Florida will finish the job of fulfilling the requirements of the settlement agreement."