Everglades' clean water program program on the chopping block in Trump budget plan

By Angeli Kakade, Buzz60

President Trump's efforts to shift funding local environmental efforts to the state is threatening more than 50 EPA programs.

For Florida's Everglades, that could mean putting the national park's clean water at risk.

USA Today reports as part of 2012's court mandated South Florida Geographic Initiative, pollution data on harmful pollutants like phosphorus and mercury have been recorded and sent to the EPA and local agencies for control.

Experts in the region say the park is dependent on the data for its water quality.

In the 5 years since the South Florida Geographic Initiative took effect, the EPA has seen many success such as new water quality treatment projects and the replacement of 25,000 septic tanks.

Some Florida park workers are worried about the Everglades' future while others, like Kristin Jacobs, a Democratic Florida House lawmaker, aren't as worried about Trump's budget cuts.

Jacobs told USA Today, "support for the Everglades is something this state has long treasured."