Most people that live in Florida are not aware that the Sunshisne State almost suffered an environmental disaster in the 1960's and that Richard Nixon prevented it from happening. After many years of planning, the Army corp of engineers decided to make a canal from the east coast of Florida to the west coast, effectively cutting the state in half like the Panama Canal. Before they were stopped, they created a Dam, along with the canal, in the Ocala National Forest that stopped the flow of the Ocklawaha and the Silver Rivers. Marsh land, that was a natural habitat for migrating birds, was drained.
The effect on the eco-system was disastrous. No longer could boats flow up the drained rivers while the Dam created a flood plane that killed over 9,000 acres of forest. To this day, they call the area, "Chernobyl."
In short, Richard Millhouse Nixon signed a "Cease and Desist" order that stopped the Army Corp of Engineers in their tracts. The Ocklawaha Prairie is now being restored and I recently visited this area. It is one of Florida's true treasures. Who said Republicans do not like the environment.
Watch this video I took and see the beauty of this area.

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