"The first phase of the 15-year effort is projected to cost $97 million and use resilient corals expected to survive in diminished water quality.

KEY LARGO — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, along with seven partners, unveiled a $97 million plan Monday to restore coral on seven reefs in the Florida Keys.

The hope is to eventually restore 3 million square feet of coral reefs, or roughly the size of 52 football fields.

The NOAA plan, carried out in three phases over 15 years, would increase coral coverage on those seven reefs from the current 2 percent to what is hoped to be 25 percent by 2035.

Historically, Florida Keys’ healthy reefs had about 30 to 40 percent coverage."

Earle Kimel reports for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune December 9, 2019. [2]