Gov. Scott sends message to Obama ahead of Everglades visit

President Obama is taking his climate change agenda to the Florida Everglades.

But, Governor Rick Scott says the president needs to make good on his promises before he steps foot in south Florida.

The president will make his speech from Everglades National Park in Homestead, an area he says is threatened by global warming.

“Rising sea levels are putting a national treasure and an economic engine for the south Florida tourism industry at risk.”

In Wednesday’s Earth Day speech, President Obama will highlight the risks he says a changing climate put on places like the fragile Florida Everglades and the entire world.

The president will also tout ways his administration is spending money and resources to fight climate change, a term State of Florida employees say they were told not to use though Gov. Scott denies that.

In a statement Scott released Tuesday morning, he said the president needs to live up to his commitment on Everglades restoration by requiring the Army Corp of Engineers to repair the Lake Okeechobee dike.

Scott also says the administration needs to “find a way to fund the $58 million in backlog funding Everglades National Park hasn’t received…” which has “caused critical maintenance delays.”

The governor did not acknowledge climate change in the entire communication.

“This is an issue that’s bigger and longer-lasting than my presidency. It’s about protecting our God-given natural wonders, and the good jobs that rely on them,” said Obama.

Wednesday will mark President Obama’s first trip to the Everglades.