The first new research data since 1995 on cattails in the Everglades provides further evidence that the Everglades Forever Act of 1994 is working. The study, showing a 67 percent decrease in the spread of cattails since the mid-1990s, is a significant indicator of the improving health of the Everglades. In addition to the dramatic drop in cattail expansion, the study also showed that some areas of heavy concentration have been diluted, and that one cattail area actually has been replaced by saw grass. These results are encouraging.

We regret that The Post's Aug. 31 editorial ("Everglades spin machine") has misinterpreted the data about cattails released by the South Florida Water Management District. It is erroneous to state that "cattails are taking over 2 acres a day." The data do not show that. The Post referred to a rate of expansion averaged over eight years as though it were a current daily rate. It is not.

The cattail report follows closely the news that "best management practices" implemented by farmers resulted in the second-lowest phosphorus concentrations ever. The farmers have averaged greater than a 50 percent reduction since the cleanup program began. As a result, water flowing south from the farms is significantly cleaner than water flowing from Lake Okeechobee and some urban areas. The water management district attributed the reduction of cattail expansion significantly to these practices and the district's construction and operation of stormwater treatment areas that further clean water from farms, urban areas and Lake Okeechobee.

This success began after passage of the 1994 Everglades Forever Act and will be enhanced further by the new Everglades legislation providing for optimization of the treatment areas and financing to pay for these improvements. The forecast for further improvement is good because another 20,000 acres of treatment areas are scheduled to begin operation by the end of the year.

This new evidence is consistent with the latest report on bird populations, which shows that the census of wading bird nests grew to 40,000 in 2000, up from 9,000 in 1994, and the highest number recorded since 1946. Rare birds are thriving. Phosphorus levels are down, and cattails are becoming less dense. Clearly, the health of the Everglades can improve, and, in fact, it is improving. This good news on continued progress should reassure the public and political leaders nationally that the partnership between farmers and the state is working and that Everglades restoration is on track.