This Thursday, March 11, the governing board of the South Florida Water Management District will be evaluating the purchase of U.S. Sugar Lands within the Everglades Agricultural Area. 1000 Friends of Florida supports this acquisition for the reasons outlined below. Please contact the members of the SFWMD governing board and express your strong support for moving this land acquisition project forward. The future of the Everglades depends on this.
Eric Buermann, Chair, (305) 446-0045, ebuermann@sfwmd.gov
Jerry Montgomery, Vice-Chair, (561) 682-6433, jmontgom@sfwmd.gov
Sandy Batchelor, (561) 682-6433
Joe Collins, (863) 763-3041, jcollins@sfwmd.gov
Charles J. Dauray, (239) 992-2184, cdauray@sfwmd.gov
Shannon A. Estenoz, (954) 205-1132, sestenoz@sfwmd.gov
Kevin Powers, (561) 682-6433, kpowers@sfwmd.gov
Patrick J. Rooney, Jr., Esq., (561) 682-6433, prooney@sfwmd.gov
Glenn J. Waldman, (561) 682-6433
Reasons to Support Acquisition of U.S. Sugar Lands
The scientific community is in agreement that in order to meet the goal of restoring the Everglades, a key component and first step is converting thousands of acres of agricultural lands into areas that can store and clean water flowing into the Everglades. The added benefits of protecting South Florida water supplies and improving the health of the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers are similarly critical.
No party has presented an alternative option that is more cost effective than land acquisition – it is simply the best means of solving the critical water challenges facing the Everglades. The alternative of storing billions of gallons of water underground is both more costly and very energy-intensive. With a willing seller ready for the first time to negotiate a major sale, the reality of substantial land purchases within the Everglades Agricultural Area is a once in a lifetime opportunity that simply cannot be passed up. Failing to act now can only mean even higher costs later.
Economic realities are important in good times and bad. Although the initial proposal was to purchase more than 180,000 acres. this has by necessity been scaled back to about half that amount, with an option to purchase more tracts when the economy recovers and finances improve. The reduced 73,000 acre acquisition still provides the core benefits needed to make this part of Everglades restoration a success.
Finances are always a consideration, and that is why the South Florida Water Management District is carefully reviewing its budget to make certain that this important acquisition can take place while other Everglades restoration projects continue. Given the dynamic and long-term restoration process involved with this unprecedented ecosystem, it is not surprising that adjustments have been made in the past and will continue into the future.
Critics of the effort to purchase U.S. Sugar lands have a vested interest at stake. Opponents realize that if the sale can be blocked, then the opportunity to profit from the public’s “free” water supplies here will be lost to them forever. Greed cannot be allowed to thwart what is clearly in the Everglades and public’s best interest.
Everglades restoration has made great progress in the last few years, and momentum has increased with the federal government honoring its cost-sharing pledges. The bridging of the Tamiami Trail is underway to restore vital water flows into Everglades National Park, and the Kissimmee River restoration is now producing measurable results that exceed expectations for wildlife recover and public recreation. This momentum can only be sustained by taking advantage of the U.S. Sugar land acquisition. It is the best cost option that helps fulfill the adopted Year 2000 Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.
