Florida airport will jeopardize Everglades

Washington, DC

Environmentalists in South Florida believe that presidential candidate Al Gore is ducking the issue of converting an air force base into a commercial, reliever airport. The proposed airport would be built less than 10 miles from the Everglades Ecosystem. The environmental activists in the state are disappointed by Gore's position on this issue. He has refused to either support or oppose conversion of Homestead Air Force Base into a commercial, reliever airport.

Campaign spokesman Douglas Hattaway said Gore believes the Air Force's environmental study on the base's future should be completed before he takes a position. "He's committed to promoting economic development while protecting the Everglades and Biscayne Bay national parks," Hattaway said.

The environmental activists insist that Gore's reluctance to weigh in on the controversy is because of the powerful political interests, including key Democratic Party activists and fund-raisers, who have led the drive for construction.