BROOMFIELD, CO, Aug.10, 2005 -- MWH, a global consulting firm, announced today that it and its joint venture partner, Jacobs Engineering Group, were awarded an extension for the Everglades Program Management contract. The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) awarded the extension, which adds five years and $25 million to the current base contract, bringing the contract total to $53 million.
The restoration work in the Everglades is known as the Acceler8 Program and involves eight key projects valued at $1.5 billion. These projects are on an expedited timetable to achieve restoration benefits ahead of schedule. When completed, the projects will provide immediate environmental, flood control, and water supply benefits, will restore the natural flow of water, and will serve as the foundation for further restoration initiatives. The entire Everglades restoration is estimated to cost $8 billion and will take place over the next 20-30 years.
"MWH is excited to continue our partnership with Jacobs Engineering and the SFWMD," said Harold Aiken, Acceler8 program manager and MWH vice president. "This important restoration work will benefit the fragile Everglades ecosystem while also improving water quality, supply, and delivery."
Carol Ann Wehle, SFWMD Executive Director, said, "Designing and building eight restoration projects such as massive reservoirs and treatment wetlands on an accelerated pace is a major undertaking that requires the help, expertise, and technology of our specialized contractors. We look forward to continuing our contract with MWH and Jacobs Engineering to help America's Everglades achieve positive results much sooner."
Comprising most of Southern Florida, the Everglades cover about 4,000 square miles. More than 2,300 miles are designated as National Park. The area is the largest remaining subtropical wilderness in the United States. The renowned ecosystem supports numerous plant and animal species including the endangered American crocodile, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee.
MWH (www.mwhglobal.com) is a private, employee-owned consulting firm with over 6,000 employees worldwide. The firm provides engineering design and remediation, construction, procurement, program management, and technology solutions for the environmental, land, water, wastewater, energy and power markets of the Americas, Europe, Middle East, India, Asia and the Pacific Rim.
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