Salazar Appoints Shannon Estenoz Director of Everglades Restoration Initiatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the appointment of Shannon Estenoz to be the department's Director of Everglades Restoration Initiatives, his senior representative in South Florida for Everglades restoration.

Estenoz succeeds Terrence C. “Rock” Salt, who is now the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army (civil works).

“Shannon brings to this position more than a decade of experience, leadership and passion for Everglades restoration,” Secretary Salazar said. “With her vast knowledge of Everglades issues and long involvement in South Florida water management issues, she is the right person to keep the federal and state partnership moving ahead to achieve our restoration goals.”

Estenoz will develop departmental policy for the Everglades and coordinate the work of the three Interior agencies - the National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S. Geological Survey - that are involved in the restoration effort. She will also work with the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force, which was established by Congress in 1996 to facilitate intergovernmental collaboration among the federal, state, tribal and local governments.

Estenoz will report directly to Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Tom Strickland, who chairs the task force.

“I am pleased that Shannon is joining our team,” Strickland said. “Her experience on the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board gives her a unique perspective to understand the challenges facing the state and federal partners as we move forward to restore the Everglades. Shannon's pragmatic approach to problem solving will be invaluable as we fashion win-win solutions to benefit the environment and economy of South Florida.”

A Florida native and resident of Plantation, Estenoz holds degrees in civil engineering and international affairs and has more than a decade of experience in restoring the Everglades. She has served in appointed positions under Florida Governors Lawton Chiles, Jeb Bush and Charlie Crist, with her most recent service as a member of the Governing Board of the South Florida Water Management District. In that capacity she chairs the South Florida Water Management District's Water Resources Advisory Commission and the Broward Water Resources Task Force.

Estenoz previously headed up the Suncoast Regional Office of the National Parks Conservation Association and served as the World Wildlife Fund's Everglades Program Director.

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