Hurricane Andrew and Reconstruction Projects:
How costly was this natural disaster?
Hurricane Andrew and reconstruction projects were the concerns of most South Florida residents in 1992. No one could have predicted that subsequent reconstruction would impact the 2000 presidential election. In fact, sympathizers, including President Clinton, promised expedient handling of issues relating to Hurricane Andrew and reconstruction. In this rush to deliver relief, costly mistakes were made that took years to correct.
Everglades Betrayal - The Issue that Defeated Al Gore describes the setting, including two national parks, and circumstances that led to a proposal to redevelop the former Homestead Air Force Base into an airport. Following Hurricane Andrew, reconstruction was shaping up to cause permanent damage to the area’s resources and enjoyment of them. Scant analysis resulted in approval of the proposed airport until environmentalists noticed obvious errors and began numerous arguments against it. The issue moved through local and state processes until the President’s Council on Environmental Quality was called in to render judgment.
A new analysis was ordered, Hurricane Andrew was further in the past, and reconstruction was stalled. It was an eight-year saga that culminated with the 2000 presidential election. Everglades Betrayal took place when the rest of south Florida was well on its way to recovery.
Hurricane Andrew destroyed a way of life; reconstruction allowed a new beginning in most areas. Everglades Betrayal tells of how Hurricane Andrew and reconstruction almost changed the lives of thousands of plants, animals and humans.
The Everglades Betrayal – The Issue that Defeated Al Gore is now available to you online.
