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Media Advisory No. 5121.11
Contact:
Office of Communications (202) 720-4623
UPDATED: Agriculture Secretary Vilsack to Visit Florida
Secretary to Announce and Tour Major Wetlands Restoration Projects in the Northern Everglades Watershed, Visit Biofuels Facility
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2011 – TOMORROW, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Florida government, agriculture and conservation leaders will announce several major projects designed to restore and protect wetlands in the Northern Everglades Watershed. The wetland restoration will reduce the amount of surface water leaving the land, slowing water runoff and the concentration of nutrients entering the public water management system and ultimately Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades. USDA recognizes that private landowners must continue to play a critical role in protecting wetlands and enhancing wildlife in this unique habitat. This announcement will allow USDA to target conservation spending more efficiently and effectively in the Northern Everglades Watershed, while empowering community-led conservation efforts and use of science-based management practices to restore and protect our lands and waters for future generations. Vilsack will make the Everglades announcement at the 550-acre Winding Waters Nature Area, a site restored with USDA funding.
Later that day in Vero Beach, Vilsack will tour the INEOS New Planet BioEnergy facility, which was granted a conditional USDA loan guarantee earlier this year to help build and operate a biorefinery capable of producing 8 million gallons per year of cellulosic ethanol and 6 megawatts of electricity. At INEOS, Vilsack will announce a series of joint USDA and Department of Energy grants to spur research into improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of growing biofuel and bioenergy crops.
Thursday, Aug. 11
8:30 a.m. EDT
WHO: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
WHAT: Remarks from Secretary Vilsack and Florida government, agriculture and conservation leaders; announcement of projects and funding for wetland restoration in the Northern Everglades Watershed; media availability.
WHERE: Winding Waters
¾ mile North of 45th on Haverhill
West Palm Beach, FL
RSVP: USDA Office of Communications, (202) 720-4623
Thursday, Aug. 11
3:00 p.m. EDT
WHO: Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
WHAT: Media availability and announcement of USDA / DOE grants.
WHERE: Indian River BioEnergy Center
925 - 74th Ave SW (Intersection of Oslo Road & 74th Ave - near I-95)
Vero Beach, FL 32968
RSVP: Rob Ranieri (772) 287-5272 or (772) 260-9543
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).
