THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA – The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board on Thursday unanimously approved a smaller purchase of land from U.S. Sugar for Everglades restoration, over the objections of those who said the district is getting a bum deal that will prevent other needed restoration work.
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The board voted to move forward with the $197 million purchase of a 27,000 acre tract from the sugar grower, about a third of the size of the 78,000 acre parcel previously sought by Gov. Charlie Crist, who has touted the proposal as a way to boost the re-plumbing effort in the Everglades. The scaled-back buy was a result of the economic downturn. “We are pursuing the acquisition with the fiscal responsibility expected of Florida’s leaders and stewards of the environment,” Crist said in a statement. “This acreage will provide important opportunities for water storage and treatment and better revive, restore and preserve one of America’s greatest natural treasures – the Everglades.” A group of U.S. Sugar competitors who opposed the purchase said they support restoration of the Everglades because it is their long-term business interest, but that the deal approved Thursday would actually harm the restoration effort rather than help it, noting that officials haven’t released the ultimate plan for the land – and instead plan to lease it back to U.S. Sugar for now. The competitors – including companies affiliated with Florida Crystals, the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, and Roth Farms, also say currently planned projects will suffer because of the money that will have to go to the purchase. “SFWMD cannot complete these required projects … and also squander the bulk of its cash reserves on unneeded land – much less complete these projects and bring the new land into public use,” the competitors coalition said in a letter sent this week to the board. The Miccosukee Tribe also opposes the plan, which continues to face federal legal challenges from the tribe and Florida Crystals.
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