CEE Professor Potter to assist in South Florida ecosystem review

The National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences appointed CEE Professor Kenneth Potter and geological engineering Professor Jean Bahr to the membership of the Committee on Restoration of the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. The 16-member committee will serve as an advisory panel to review and advise on scientific matters related to implementation of the Central and Southern Florida Comprehensive Review Study (Restudy) and the restoration of the South Florida Ecosystem.

Kenneth W. Potter (17K JPG)

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, chair of the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, said of the panel, "I am very pleased that the Everglades restoration effort will have the benefit of these distinguished scientists. This committee will help ensure that the best possible science leads the way in our efforts to restore the Everglades. The restoration of the South Florida Ecosystem is a major goal of the Clinton-Gore Administration and high quality, credible science must guide our efforts. I welcome these experts to the greater partnership involved with Everglades restoration."

Earlier this year, the task force endorsed the establishment of an ongoing outside scientific review panel to ensure effective adaptive management for South Florida ecosystem restoration. All task force members agreed that an independent scientific review panel is needed to provide advice on the implementation of the Everglades effort. Secretary Babbitt made the proposal to the National Academy to choose the composition of the committee.

The committee is composed of scientists representing a broad range of expertise including biology, ecology, toxicology, hydrology, agronomy, economics and other disciplinary backgrounds necessary to evaluate the full range of scientific issues associated with implementation of the restudy and the restoration of the South Florida ecosystem.

The committee proposes to meet approximately three to five times, in Florida, during the first year to conduct a broad scientific review. It will require briefings from restoration program managers and scientists. Panel will provide advice on effort to restore the Everglades