FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA:
An administrative law judge Monday sided with the South Florida Water Management District and major parts of the sugar industry in a permitting challenge filed by the Florida Audubon Society. The case stemmed from Everglades-related permits that the water-management district indicated in 2012 it would renew.
The Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida, United States Sugar Corp. and Sugar Farms Co-Op joined the water-management district in defending the permitting decision. Administrative Law Judge Bram D.E. Canter issued a 30-page order recommending that the water-management district issue the permits. Canter, in part, rejected Audubon arguments that additional water-quality measures were required.